Calvin, Zwingli, and Brother Klaus: Shapers of the Faith

Filmmaker Rainer Walde's ambitious but overstuffed historical documentary randomly jumps between the three titular figures from the 15th and 16th centuries who played a part in bringing the Protestant Reformation to Switzerland. St. Nicholas of Flüe, better known as Brother Klaus, was a hermit and mystic who left his wife and 10 children (as well as his farm and prior military career) to live a contemplative life, serving as a mediating voice to reduce escalating tensions between Catholics and emerging Protestants. Ulrich Zwingli was a Reformation leader who successfully challenged many Catholic traditions and practices, drawing the favorable attention of Martin Luther but nearly provoking a Swiss civil war. Finally, John Calvin—the founder of Calvinism and a man who acquired much authority over church matters (altering the liturgy and declaring others to be heretics)—cemented the Reformation in Switzerland. Unfortunately, it's hard to gain more than a few impressions or the most general sense of appreciation from this project that would have been better served if it were divided into several films. Optional. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)