Hesburgh

After watching Patrick Creadon’s documentary about Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, CSC (1917-2015), President of the University of Notre Dame from 1952-87, one might reasonably wonder whether the film is intended as part of the cause for his canonization, especially since it contains few criticisms, apart from occasional nasty remarks by people such as Richard Nixon, George Wallace, and arch-conservative Vatican bureaucrats. Much of it is narrated in Hesburgh’s own words—both through excerpts from his memoirs read by Maurice LaMarche and in older interviews—covering the subject’s life from childhood up through his retirement, and augmenting these reminiscences with archival footage and stills, as well as comments from admirers, colleagues, friends, relatives, and ex-students. The documentary recounts Hesburgh’s meteoric rise and success in taking Notre Dame to high academic standards while also leading American Catholic universities to declare their embrace of academic freedom in the face of potential interference from Rome. Hesburgh’s commitment and friendship with students is also emphasized, although these relationships were sorely tested by campus unrest against the Vietnam War, as well as his unstinting support of successors, particularly during times of dissent against their policies. The film also stresses Hesburgh’s wider service, especially as a member of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission appointed by President Eisenhower, where he was able to forge agreement among its disparate membership through dexterous management. Even though it verges on hagiography, Hesburgh presents a persuasive portrait of a man who served both his university and his country with vigor and dedication. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include “Father Ted Stories” bonus interviews (26 min.), and campus speeches from the Notre Dame archives featuring President Dwight Eisenhower and Martin Luther King Jr. (25 min.). Bottom line: a solid extras package for a fine documentary.] (F. Swietek)