As I finish posting Podcast #8, I’m home sick watching The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968) starring Anthony Quinn on Turner Classic Movies. I figured someone would pull this old gem of a movie out after John Paul II died. Not only does it give a good view of what happens whenever a pope dies but also it a marvelous story of an unlikely Pope being elected. A Russian who spent 20 years in Siberia and a natural reformer, the movie paints a cool picture of what happens when an unexpected and unconventional spiritual leader emerges out of a community. The unique relationship between the doubting, existential priest (with some real postmodern inclinations) under suspicion of heresy by the Congregation of Doctrine (the very group Cardinal Ratzinger headed up) and the new pope is fascinating, as well as with the hardline, old school cardinal. At the heart is the postmodern hunger for a real spiritual relationship versus faith as intellectual doctrine and dogma. Set in the midst of Cold War nuclear tensions, it really is an outstanding gem of a movie that many postmoderns like me many have missed out on. It is not listed as playing again this month, so you may want to go online and see if you buy it or rent it. It appears to only be available on VHS but recent events may trigger a DVD – it would generate some quick revenue I’m sure.