The Reluctant Saint (1962): Cast & Plot
The Reluctant Saint is a 1962 historical drama directed by Edward Dmytryk, starring Maximilian Schell as Giuseppe, Lea Padovani and Harold Goldblatt. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 45m (105 min)
- Director
- Edward Dmytryk
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Dmytryk--Weiler Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Reluctant Saint About?
The premise of The Reluctant Saint without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Set in 1623 Italy, the film follows the astonishing true life of Joseph of Cupertino, known as “The Flying Friar.” A simple‑minded, clumsy laborer joins the Franciscan order, confronting intellectual and social obstacles with pure devotion. Through divine intervention his extraordinary gifts emerge, ultimately leading to his canonization.
The Reluctant Saint Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- miracle
- no opening credits
- mentally challenged man
- priest
- diploma
- clumsiness
- cupertino italy
- year 1623
- based on real person
- catholic church
- historical drama
- producer director
+38 more Show fewer
- fictionalized biopic
- prologue and epilogue
- prank
- peasant hut
- broken statue
- period drama
- costume drama
- hunchback
- prelate
- mystic
- italian
- franciscan order
- laborer
- religious order
- horse and plow
- uncle nephew relationship
- mother adult son relationship
- stable
- sheep
- runaway horse
- demonic possession
- canonization
- animal
- peasantry
- religious article
- stable boy
- virgin mary statue
- mugging
- lecce italy
- religious statue
- donkey cart
- roasted chestnuts
- archbishop
- pope clement xiii
- year 1767
- reference to the book of proverbs
- young
- man
The Reluctant Saint Cast & Characters
Maximilian Schell leads the cast as Giuseppe, with Lea Padovani as Giuseppe's Mother and Harold Goldblatt as Father Giovanni- 'The Father Guardian'. Directed by Edward Dmytryk; 28 actors are credited in all.
- Director Edward Dmytryk
-
Maximilian Schell as Giuseppe - Lea Padovani as Giuseppe's Mother
- Harold Goldblatt as Father Giovanni- 'The Father Guardian'
-
Akim Tamiroff as Bishop Durso
Also Starring in The Reluctant Saint
· 24 more- Giulio Bosetti Brother Orlando
- Carlo Croccolo The Gobbo- the Hunchback
- Ricardo Montalban Don Raspi
- Arnoldo Foà Felixa- Giuseppe's Father
- Luciana Paluzzi Carlotta
- Giovanni Ivan Scratuglia
- Giacomo Rossi Stuart
- Elisa Cegani Sister Nunziata
- Mino Doro
- Mel Welles
- Cyrus Elias
- Curt Lowens
- Tonio Selwart Examining Prelate
- Gustavo De Nardo
- Armand Mestral
- Sandro Merli
Show all 28 cast members Show fewer cast members
The Reluctant Saint Plot Summary
What happens in The Reluctant Saint from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Most of the key events in the movie are based on historical events or reports about the life of Saint Joseph of Cupertino. Born Giuseppe Desa, Maximilian Schell is depicted as remarkably slow-witted, yet witness accounts throughout his life describe him as capable of miraculous experiences that include levitation and intense ecstasies.
Full summary
The whole story of The Reluctant Saint, scene by scene
The Reluctant Saint Trailers & Videos
The trailer of The Reluctant Saint.
How Well Do You Know The Reluctant Saint?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the birth name of the saint depicted in the film?
The Reluctant Saint Also Known As
12 alternative titles, including “Ein sonderbarer Heiliger” and “O Santo Relutante”.
- Also known as
-
- Ein sonderbarer Heiliger
- O Santo Relutante
- El hombre que no quería ser santo
- El hombre que no quiso ser santo
- Miracle à Cupertino
- Joseph Desa
- A különös szent: Copertinói Szent József élete
- Cronache di un convento
- El santo renuente
- Swiety mimo woli
- Sfântul ezitant
- Sv. Josef Kupertinský
Seen The Reluctant Saint?
Movies Like The Reluctant Saint
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Lives of the Saints and St. Giuseppe Moscati: Doctor to the Poor.
-
Brother Sun, Sister Moon 1972 -
Lives of the Saints 2004 -
St. Giuseppe Moscati: Doctor to the Poor 2007 -
Padre Pio: Miracle Man 2000 -
The Miracle 1959 -
O Santo Milagroso 1966 -
Miracle of Marcellino 1991 -
Menocchio the Heretic 2018 -
The Miracle of Marcelino 1955 -
Don Bosco 1988 -
Galileo 1975 -
The Third Miracle 1999
The Reluctant Saint FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Reluctant Saint, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Reluctant Saint?
The Reluctant Saint runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).
When was The Reluctant Saint released?
The Reluctant Saint was released on November 2, 1962.
Who directed The Reluctant Saint?
The Reluctant Saint was directed by Edward Dmytryk.
More films by Edward Dmytryk Who is in the cast of The Reluctant Saint?
The Reluctant Saint stars Maximilian Schell as Giuseppe, Lea Padovani as Giuseppe's Mother and Harold Goldblatt as Father Giovanni- 'The Father Guardian', among 28 credited actors.
Does The Reluctant Saint have a post-credit scene?
No. The Reluctant Saint has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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