The fisherman's sandals

The Shoes of the Fisherman (The Shoes of the Fisherman) is a 1968 American film directed by by Michael Anderson and starring Anthony Quinn. It is based on the novel by Australian writer Morris West, published in 1963, which was a worldwide success.

Awarded in 1968 with the Golden Globe for Best Original Score (Alex North) and the National Board of Review for Best Supporting Actor (Leo McKern).

Plot

Kiril Lakota (Anthony Quinn) is a Ukrainian bishop sentenced to hard labor in a Soviet prison. He is suddenly released by President Piotr Ilyich Kamenev (Laurence Olivier), who had been his jailer 20 years earlier, and is sent to the Vatican as an adviser. After a time he is appointed cardinal by Pope Pius XIII (John Gielgud). The pope dies suddenly and the cardinals meet in conclave to choose his successor. The Lakota Cardinal participates in the election. American television is represented by George Faber (David Janssen), who will follow the election of the new pope day by day.

Two cardinals, Cardinal Leone (Leo McKern) and Cardinal Rinaldi (Vittorio De Sica) are the most likely candidates. After seven rounds, the necessary number of votes has not been obtained, until Cardinal Rinaldi proposes Cardinal Kiril Lakota as pope. He accepts this despite his lack of confidence in himself, with the name of Cyril I (Kiril is equivalent to Cyril). That same night the new pope, with the complicity of his private secretary, Gelasio (Arnoldo Foà), goes out to tour Rome incognito. After participating in an unexpected last rites, they return to the Vatican.

While the election of the new pope takes place, the world situation is on the verge of a nuclear war, due to a dispute between the Soviet Union and China due to a commercial embargo on China by the United States, which that has caused a famine in the Asian country. Chinese President Peng (Burt Kwouk) has threatened to attack the United States and its allies, as well as the Soviet Union, which he accuses of colluding with them.

Soviet Kamenev, Cyril and President Peng (Laurence Olivier, Anthony Quinn and Burt Kwouk).

The new pope, at the invitation of Soviet Premier Kamenev, travels to the Soviet Union to meet privately with the Chinese prime minister and president to discuss the dangerous crisis. There he realizes the seriousness of the situation and asks for time to consult the College of Cardinals about the proposal he wishes to make. The answer of the majority of the cardinals is negative. The Pope then decides to impose his spiritual authority and his hierarchy to try to convince the Western powers and all Catholics in the world.

On the day of his coronation, Cyril I, in front of the crowd gathered in Saint Peter's Square, removes his papal tiara in a gesture of humility and announces to the world the alienation of all the material goods of the Catholic Church with the objective of alleviating the famine of the Chinese people. His decision is acclaimed around the world.

Throughout the course of his election, Cyril I became friends with a theologian and scientist: Father David Telemond (Oskar Werner), who exposed his heterodox theories in opposition to the traditional way of exposing the dogmas of the Catholic Church. However, despite his affection and sympathy for Father Telemond, Cyril I authorized the censorship of Father Telemond's works by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. To the regret of the pope, Father Telemond died shortly after. The character of Father David Telemond is thought to represent the Jesuit philosopher Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, several of whose views had a profound influence on Catholic intellectual circles in the 1950s and 1960s, including the Second Vatican Council.

Cast

Kiril, his predecessor and Cardinals Rinaldi and Leone (Anthony Quinn, John Gielgud, Vittorio De Sica and Leo McKern).

• Anthony Quinn: Kiril Lakota, who will be Pope Cyril I.
• Laurence Olivier: Piotr Ilyich Kamenev.
• Oskar Werner: Father David Telemond.
• Vittorio De Sica: Cardinal Rinaldi.
• Leo McKern: Cardinal Leone.
• John Gielgud: the previous pope.
• Burt Kwouk: Peng.
• Arnoldo Foà: Gelasio.
• David Janssen: George Faber.
• Barbara Jefford: Dr. Ruth Faber.
• Leopoldo Trieste: the friend of the dying.
• Frank Finlay: Igor Bounin.
• Rosemary Dexter: Chiara.
• Clive Revill: Vukóvich.
• Niall MacGinnis: a Capuchin friar.
• Isa Miranda: the Marquise.

Production

Instrumental music was composed by Alex North.

Awards

Award-winning

1968:

• Golden Globe Award: to the best original music (Alex North).
• National Board of Review Award: Best Film and Best Secondary actor (Leo McKern).

Candidacies

1968:

• Oscar: Better music, better artistic direction, better main actor (Anthony Quinn).

• Golden Globes: Best movie - Drama. Best dramatic main actor (Anthony Quinn).