Top 7 Best Catholic Saints Movies

Merton: A Film Biography offers the first in-depth exploration of Thomas Merton, a renowned 20th-century religious philosopher and writer, famous for his autobiography “The Seven Storey Mountain.” Merton also authored more than 60 books on pressing social issues, making a lasting impact on generations. This documentary paints a vivid picture of a man whose work continues to inspire and provoke reflection even today.

Film Overview:
Merton: A Film Biography chronicles the life of Thomas Merton, a spiritual philosopher, Trappist monk, and anti-war activist. His autobiography, “The Seven Storey Mountain,” has become a modern literary classic. Merton’s extensive body of work—over 60 books—addresses the intersection of religion and social justice. His staunch advocacy for social equality earned him both admiration and controversy. The film includes interviews with friends, colleagues, and readings from Merton’s writings. Throughout his life, Merton was hailed as a prophetic figure but also censored for his outspoken critiques of society. For nearly 27 years, he lived as a Trappist monk, where he developed into a powerful spiritual writer, mystic, anti-war advocate, and witness for peace.

This celebrated documentary examines Merton’s life through insightful interviews with those who knew him best, including the Dalai Lama, poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti, publisher Robert Giroux, musician Joan Baez, fellow monks, and friends who shared his innermost thoughts. Interwoven with these interviews are passages from Merton’s writings and footage from key locations in his life, such as his birthplace in Prades, France, the Gethsemani Abbey in Kentucky, and his final journey to the East, including Bangkok, Thailand, where he passed away.

Produced by Morgan Atkinson, a seasoned documentary filmmaker based in Louisville, KY, the film is part of his long career focused on spiritual seekers. His earlier work on Merton, “Seeking the Soul: The Journey of Thomas Merton,” aired on PBS in 2007. Atkinson has produced other films about spiritual quests, such as “Gethsemani, Poetry of the Soul: The Story of a Monk” and “Extraordinary Vision: The Life and Times of John Howard Griffin.”

IMDb Rating: 7.5

Thérèse is a film that tells the story of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. Released in 1986 and directed by Alain Cavalier, it focuses on her life as a Carmelite nun and her deep devotion to Jesus Christ.

Film Summary:
Thérèse and her sisters were nuns in a Carmelite convent, where her profound devotion to God and her concept of the “Little Way” were depicted with simplicity and modern language. Her autobiographical work, “Story of a Soul,” written in pencil after her death, gained significant attention from the public. Known as the “Little Flower,” Thérèse was canonized in 1927 and became a co-patron saint of France alongside Joan of Arc. She was also declared a “Doctor of the Church.”

Thérèse won the César Award in 1987 for Best Film, Best Writing, and Best Editing. The film also received the Jury Prize at the 1986 Cannes Film Festival. Catherine Mouchet won the César for Most Promising Actress in 1987 for her performance. Additionally, the Vatican included the film in its list of 45 “great films” in the “Religious” category.

IMDb Rating: 7.3
Tomatometer Score: 86%
Audience Rating: 84%

Romero is a 1989 biographical film that chronicles the life of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador. The film depicts his peaceful protests against a brutal military regime, which ultimately cost him his life. Raul Julia stars as Romero, while Richard Jordan plays his close friend and fellow martyr, Father Rutilio Grande. The cast also includes Ana Alicia and Harold Gould. Although the film is based on real events, it introduces some fictional characters for dramatic effect.

Film Summary:
Romero tells the true story of Archbishop Oscar Romero, who lived in El Salvador during a time of political turmoil. The government launched a “terror campaign” to eliminate guerrillas, and Romero’s public protests against the government's actions were viewed as acts of disloyalty. In retaliation, the regime began destroying churches and killing priests. Despite the oppressive environment, Romero continued to speak out against the brutal treatment of the people of El Salvador, until his assassination in March 1980.

The film received favorable reviews from critics, with a 75% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 8 reviews. Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film a mildly positive review, awarding it two and a half stars out of four. He praised Julia's “restrained and appropriate” performance. Spirituality and Practice also gave the film a positive review, calling it an “outstanding TV movie,” with particular praise for Raul Julia's portrayal of Romero.

IMDb Rating: 7.1
Tomatometer Score: 80%
Audience Rating: 80%

Black Robe is a co-production between Australia and Canada, based on the 1985 novel by Canadian author Brian Moore. Directed by Australian filmmaker Bruce Beresford, the film is one of the most powerful and successful works from the 1990s. It marks a significant point in Beresford’s extensive directorial career, which includes films such as Don's Party (1976), Breaker Morant (1979), Mao's Last Dancer (2009), and Oscar-winning American films like Tender Mercies (1983) and Driving Miss Daisy (1989).

Film Summary:
Set in the 17th century, the story follows a Jesuit priest, nicknamed “Black Robe” by the indigenous people, and his young companion as they are escorted through the wilderness of Quebec by an Algonquin family. Their mission leads them into a perilous winter journey, with the priest undergoing a spiritual journey while his young companion falls in love with the daughter of their Algonquin guide. But danger and death follow them as they face the threat of a marauding Iroquois tribe and the brutal winter conditions.

Black Robe was released in Australian cinemas on February 27, 1992. It was nominated for ten AFI awards, including Best Picture, Direction, Actor (Lothaire Bluteau), Supporting Actor (August Schellenberg), Screenplay (Brian Moore), Editing (Tim Wellburn), Original Music (Georges Delerue), Sound (Phil Judd, Penn Robinson, and Gary Wilkins), and Costume Design (Renée April and John Hay), winning Best Cinematography (Peter James). The film also won six Canadian Genie Awards in 1991 for Best Picture, Direction, Supporting Actor (August Schellenberg), Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, and Art Direction (Gavin Mitchell and Herbert Pinter), and was nominated for Supporting Actress (Sandrine Holt), Editing, Original Music, and Costume Design.

IMDb Rating: 7.1

Tomatometer: 92%

Audience Rating: 75%

The Song of Bernadette is a 1943 American historical drama film based on the novel by Franz Werfel. Starring Jennifer Jones in the lead role, the film tells the story of Bernadette Soubirous, a young French girl who reportedly experienced eighteen visions of the Virgin Mary between February and July of 1858, eventually leading to her canonization in 1933. Directed by Henry King and scripted by George Seaton, the film explores Bernadette’s miraculous visions and the challenges she faced in a society that initially dismissed her claims.

Film Summary:
The film follows 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous, a peasant girl from a small town in southern France, who claims to have seen a beautiful woman in a vision, who she identifies as the Virgin Mary. Initially dismissed as insane by local authorities and church officials, Bernadette's story gains believers over time, including the skeptical priest, Father Dominique Peyramale. Eventually, Bernadette becomes a nun and is later venerated as a saint for her unwavering faith.

The subtlety and depth of the film allow its supernatural premise and the depiction of the Virgin Mary to resonate even with non-Catholic audiences. Jennifer Jones' powerful performance, combined with Alfred Newman's Oscar-winning score, provides a strong foundation for the film's success. The Oscar-winning cinematography and set design effectively create a convincing 19th-century French peasant backdrop, enhancing the film’s authenticity. The third act, shifting from supernatural events to the redemptive meaning of suffering, seals the film’s spiritual truth.

IMDb Rating: 7.6

Tomatometer: 88%
Audience Rating: 80%

Joan of Arc is a 1948 American epic historical drama directed by Victor Fleming, starring Ingrid Bergman in the title role. Produced by Walter Wanger, the film is based on the successful Broadway play, *Joan of Lorraine* by Maxwell Anderson, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Andrew Solt. This was Fleming's final film before his death in 1949.

Film Summary:
Set in the 15th century, France is devastated after the Hundred Years’ War with England. A 16-year-old peasant girl, Joan D’Arc, claims to hear divine voices instructing her to lead the French army against the English and crown the weak Dauphin Charles VII as the rightful king of France. Joan gathers an army of believers and leads them to victory at Orleans. However, when the army is prepared to march on Paris, the corrupt Charles betrays his country by selling out to the English and disbands his forces. Despite this, Joan’s forces regain much of France, but she is captured by the enemy. Sold to the Burgundians, Joan is handed over to an English tribunal at the Rouen castle for trial.

With a production budget of $4.6 million, *Joan of Arc* was a box-office disappointment, grossing only $4.1 million in the U.S. However, the film earned six Academy Award nominations, winning two for Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design. Despite being nominated for Best Actress for her portrayal of Joan, Ingrid Bergman’s performance was met with mixed reviews from critics. Following Renée Falconetti’s iconic performance as Joan in *The Passion of Joan of Arc* (1928), Bergman faced a significant challenge, delivering her role in a vastly different genre.

IMDb Rating: 6.4

Tomatometer: 90%
Audience Rating: 54%

A Man for All Seasons is a 1966 British historical drama directed by Fred Zinnemann and adapted by Robert Bolt from his own play. The film dramatizes the final years of Sir Thomas More, the 16th-century Chancellor of England, who stood firm against King Henry VIII when the king sought a divorce and broke away from the Catholic Church to remarry.

Film Summary:
In 1520s England, King Henry VIII seeks a divorce from his wife, Catherine of Aragon, who cannot bear him a son. His intention is to marry Anne Boleyn, but the Pope refuses to grant him an annulment. The only obstacle left is Sir Thomas More, a devout Catholic and a prominent legal authority. More, who holds the position of Lord Chancellor, a powerful governmental role, ultimately resigns in protest against the king's plans. The king and his loyalists are enraged by More's defiance, leading to his trial for bribery.

A Man for All Seasons achieved both critical and commercial success. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture at the 39th Academy Awards. It also earned five other Oscars, including Best Director for Zinnemann and Best Actor for Paul Scofield. Additionally, the film won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Drama, the BAFTA for Best British Film, and the award for Best British Film of the Year. In 1999, the British Film Institute ranked it as the 43rd greatest British film of all time.

IMDb Rating: 7.7
Tomatometer: 84%
Audience Rating: 87%