The Wonders of the Vatican Library

Not just for armchair tourists fascinated by the Vatican's vast holdings of art and antiquities, writer-director Vincenzo Labella's (producer of Jesus of Nazareth) The Wonders of the Vatican Library makes a dramatic case for considering the beautiful Vatican Apostolic Library as both a living history of the Church of Rome and a key component in its governance of Catholic dogma. The cornerstone of the Vatican, Labella tells us, is St. Peter's martyrdom, which inspired construction of the library where rare manuscripts and scores of frescoes recount the Catholic Church's colorful history, from defenses against heresy to the response to Luther's ushering in of the Reformation. A second, equally interesting disc looks at the Rosary and its roots in the cult of Mary-worship. DVD extras include two gorgeous photo galleries. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (T. Keogh)