St. Patrick: Apostle of Ireland

Combining breathtaking camerawork and St. Patrick's ardent confessions to evoke his life and times, this poetic portrait of Ireland's patron saint recreates what little is known of St. Patrick from two short works, a spiritual autobiography and his written denunciation of the British mistreatment of Irish Christians. Born in Roman Britain, enslaved at the age of 16, and sent for six years to pre-Christian Ireland, Patrick would return to the Emerald Isle several years later on a divinely inspired mission to convert the Irish--a world historical moment marking the introduction of Christianity to the Druid religion and the melding of the Christian faith and Celtic Irish traditions in art, music, and poetry. Director David Tennant employs a few standard documentary filmmaking techniques to flesh out St. Patrick's story, including a backdrop of scenic vistas in contemporary Ireland and brief interviews with Father Frank Fahey of Ballintubber Abbey and author Michael Slaven, but the essence of the film is found in the moody b&w footage used for a dramatic reenactment of key points in Patrick's life. An entrancing bit of filmmaking that should be a welcome and popular addition to most collections, this is recommended. Aud: J, H, P. (A. Cantu)