Soldiers of the Pope

Armed with pikes and dressed in uniforms that date back hundreds of years, the Papal soldiers of the Swiss Guard may seem like an anachronistic throwback today. However, even though their presence is largely ceremonial, the men are trained in weapons use and alert to the ever-present threat of attacks on the Pope's life (such as the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul). Soldiers of the Pope takes viewers behind-the-scenes to look at the history, traditions, and day-to-day life of this little known military unit (all the members come from Switzerland--dating back to a time when the tiny country had little to provide in warfare other than warm bodies). Operating under far less rigid restrictions today, the soldiers are not only allowed to be married, but also have their families live with them while serving their two-year tour of duty. Presenting an in-depth look at an aspect of Vatican life that few tourists are aware of, my one quibble with the film is that the background noise--music, drilling commands, echoes in St. Peter's Basilica, etc.--sometimes make it difficult to hear the commentary. But this is a good, solid program, overall, that should find a ready audience with aficionados of military and religious history. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (J. Carlson)