Search - Mother Teresa on DVD

Deborah W. from CONROE, TX
Reviewed on 12/2/2019...

Very excellent movie - the acting was wonderful, and, of course, the story is so inspiring!

4 of 4 member(s) found this review helpful.

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 12/2/2018...

Slow going but some pretty powerful scenes in this and worth watching!

Carmen C. (CarmenCS) from PIPERSVILLE, PA
Reviewed on 8/6/2013...

Wow, does her feistiness come across in this! Fascinating!

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Lessons in Faith

Zinta Aistars | Portage, MI United States | 10/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Surely most everyone has at least some sketchy knowledge of the legacy of Mother Teresa. There is great power in grace, in kindness, in doing good unto others with little or no regard for oneself. But I've long been curious to know more: who is this selfless woman? is it really possible to be completely altruistic? or, is doing good for the pleasure it brings us to be good, or for our reward in the afterlife, motive that negates true altruism? and, what kind of background gave birth to such a modern-day saint?

The movie, "Mother Teresa," directed by Fabrizio Costa and with Olivia Hussey in the lead role, did little to answer any of these questions for me. Indeed, that it begins with Mother Teresa already in Calcutta as a nun, quite disappointed me. I gained no knowledge of what kind of background had formed this remarkable woman. Nevertheless, I was enthralled. Hussey's careful and completely believable portrayal (the viewer forgets it is an actress on the screen and not indeed Mother Teresa herself, which is surely the goal of any actor) matched any actual history I had glimpsed in media during the latter years of her life.

From what was shown in this portrayal did entice to find out more. This woman is surely as awe-inspiring as I had expected. I found myself thinking back to this movie, to her life and her deep faith, days, even weeks, after watching it. In an age of violence and self-indulgence, of pleasure seeking and materialism, to view this life and all the lives affected by hers lifts one out of the mire for a moment and gives great pause. We can do better.

Mother Teresa teaches us not with words but with actions. How she lived her life, devoted to helping those who were too weak or poor to help themselves, in a manner of strength and simplicity, unfalteringly trusting that God will provide, inspires all, and of whatever belief system.

Highly recommended."

Olivia Hussey is still lovely . . .

Timothy D. Naegele | Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles | 06/30/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"More than twenty-five years before, Olivia Hussey was just as lovely when she played the Virgin Mary in Franco Zeffirelli's "Jesus of Nazarus," and did so brilliantly. She reprised the beauty of that performance in "Mother Teresa," which is timeless too. Serving the poor in Calcutta for most of her life, this Saint brought hope to those who had none and taught Jesus' Love to those who had seldom if ever experienced love before.

She received a Nobel Prize, but no earthy honor was her reward. Her faith truly found a way when there appeared to be none at all."

A moving and humbling experience

Dan Grafius | California | 07/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Movies with spiritual themes often fall short, but this outstanding portrayal of Mother Teresa succeeds brilliantly in capturing the simplicity and unwavering faith of one of the most remarkable personages of the 20th century. The cinematography and production values of this movie are excellent, but what really makes this a great viewing experience is Olivia Hussey's acting. Her performance is deserving of high praise and recognition. Just as Ben Kingsley succeeded in doing in the movie "Gandhi," I always felt I was actually watching Mother Teresa. Talk about a suspension of disbelief! To watch such a convincing portrayal of such a pure and devoted soul is a very humbling experience. It can make a person question the values they hold and whether what they are doing with their life is really all that worthwhile and important. Mother Teresa was not about proselytizing or trying to convert anyone to Catholicism. As the movie shows, she was simply moved to help the forgotten and the hopelessly infirmed of Calcutta. Her faith in God and her determination to really help those in need overcame many obstacles in her path. Also, the generosity of thousands of individuals who resonated with her "cause" helped enable Mother Teresa to accomplish all that she did. A person like Mother Teresa can bring out the best and most noble instincts in others, even if sometimes begrudgingly. There are many poignant moments in this movie, and the movie as a whole is an important reminder that despite all the problems and misery in the world today, what is most pressing for each of us is to find our own way of serving the greater good. Mother Teresa's life was not an easy one, nor, I'm quite sure, was this an easy movie to make. It cannot be easy to decide what to include and exclude in a movie about someone like Mother Teresa. The bottom line for Mother Teresa was simple. She saw Christ in the suffering and misery of the poor in Calcutta. It would not have been possible for her to somehow turn away. Pay close attention, for example, to the opening scene where Mother Teresa happens upon an Indian woman and her child. With the animals in the background, the scene is designed to be reminiscent of the familiar manger scene of baby Jesus. This scene captures the essence of Mother Teresa's spirit. She saw the Christ Child and the Holy Mother in the individual children and mothers she felt called upon to help. Above all else, Mother Teresa recognized that it was not enough to simply feed the hungry and tend to the sick. There was another hunger, another need among people. And that was the need for love. What a remarkable soul! What a remarkable movie!"