A miracle is something that people either believe or they don’t. The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima may not convert non-believers, but it is a powerful film. The story is about three children, in Fatima, Portugal in 1917. The Virgin Mary appeared to them on May 13. She relayed messages about faith being restored in the world, and that the first war would end. She gives a warning that another would come if people don’t have a strong faith. They have a hard time convincing their family. The local authorities, being secular don’t want anything to do with the church. They also start a pattern of harassment with the children, throwing them in jail with hardened criminals. The local priest, Father Ferrara, (Richard Hale), also has doubts about the children’s story. Unfortunately, due to the paranoia of the government, the church is shut down, when people start to believe.The person responsible for trying to stop the talk of miracles and visions is Council Administrator Arturo dos Santos. He is played very well by Frank Silvera. He delivers the message of government oppression and paranoia to a tee.
Everything is not bad for the children and the religious message they have. They find a man who would best be described as an agnostic. His name is Hugo de Silva, played by veteran actor Gilbert Roland. His character is the opposite of Frank Silvera’s character. He is the children’s reluctant ally. He tries to persuade them to not talk about their story, but they refuse. Hugo goes out of his way to protect the children. He is in the same jail they are, and helps them. He even manages to convince many hardened criminals to kneel in prayer, with the children. It is one of the most moving scenes of the movie.
The children are the main focus of the movie, and the actor’s Susan Whitney, (Lucia Abodora dos Santos), Sherry Jackson, (Jacinta Marto) and Sammy Ogg, (Francisco Marto), do well in their roles. Susan Whitney brings Lucia to life on the big screen. She holds fast to seeing The Virgin Mary. She even shows her sadness, when told by Mary, The Blessed Mother, that her two friends will die soon. Lucia and her companions received the vision of Mary, once a month for six months. The last visit was The Miracle of the Sun. This was witnessed by thousands of people. Lucia’s friends Jacinto and Francisco died and were made saints by the church. Lucia became a servant of God; becoming a nun. She fulfilled her mission and lived to be very old.
The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima was filmed in Fatima and most of the scenes are filmed with bright sunshine. The exception is the last appearance of The Virgin Mary. It is raining, until the miracle of the sun. This terrifies most of the people, except for the ones of deep faith. The film brings forth that faith is weak in many. The message of faith can be brought by unexpected sources. It is the children in this case.
John Brahm directed this movie. His main film until this point was The Lodger. It was a remake of the Alfred Hitchcock film, about Jack the Ripper. He was able with The Miracle of Fatima, to make a religious film, that wasn’t epic in scale. He instead gave a wonderful movie that inspires and is beautiful visually. Brahm continued making films for awhile. He later went into television, directing many episodes for famous shows. He worked on Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour. Brahm also worked on The Twilight Zone, directing many popular episodes.
The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima, is a Hollywood production. Many films based on an event or events are embellished. This one is as well. The character, of Frank Silvera, wasn’t a real person. He does serve a purpose as a person who shields the children, so their message can be heard and believed. There are many Hollywood movies that can’t get the message of faith to people. The Miracle of Fatima isn’t one of them.