Diagonaldi Very well executed

Cathardincu Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Crwthod A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

Bea Swanson This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

reisen55 I reserve 10 ratings for the level of Citizen Kane, of which there are perhaps 20 films of that category. But this is close. It is not a DYNAMIC film, camera movement is pretty calm and the shots are quite long. It is Todd's PERFORMANCE that captures the mind. That said too, my wife and I are Jewish and this is very much a Christian film - no bones about that and very much a 1955 period TwenCenFox film too. But the sermons as delivered by Todd and (presume)taken from Marshall are just outstanding. Todd also covers them in long, single takes which is hard for any actor to do. The words are what matter!!! When we were done, it just sticks with you in a profound way and without a spoiler, the end is very touching. As I wrote in FBook, have a cup of hot Tea, sit back and be prepared to think ... and I'll see you in the morning.

misctidsandbits This film came out in the author, Catherine Marshall's lifetime, and we have her comments on it. She was overall very pleased. She considered that 20th Century Fox gave it a quality and credible handling. She thought Richard Todd did a fine job. She was, however, politely puzzled by the interpretation of herself by the actress, Jean Peters. Apparently, this was not a particularly welcome project for Ms. Peters, who gave no response to the usual functions and support of an actor for their picture, not attending the premier or anything of that nature. She resisted any friendly overtures from Mrs. Marshall while visiting the set during the filming, as the invited guest of the studio. All of this was opposite to the response of Mr. Todd, who was very gracious. Mrs. Marshall knew she had signed away her rights to affect the production, and did not attempt to interfere. Ms. Peters' portrayal was adequate as the young girl in love, but she was quite artificial in the marriage and ministry period. The boy who played the son was more alive and natural. She depicted Mrs. Marshall as either a simpering hanger-on or as sort of a weary worn, martyr type, who doggedly trudged through. If she read the book itself, she certainly missed the spark and proactive quality of the woman she was playing. Having read the book, along with others of Mrs. Marshall, I know that she was most enthusiastic and positive toward her life with Rev. Marshall and life in general. And, she was an active contributor. Her inner strength also won out as she faced her many personal challenges. If you have the interest, you might enjoy reading Catherine Marshall's book by the same name. As for the film, TCM ran it as part of a feature of Richard Todd, and FMC used to run it rather regularly.

blanche-2 Richard Todd is "A Man Called Peter," a 1955 film directed by Henry Koster and also starring Jean Peters. It's the story of minister Peter Marshall, who twice served as Chaplain to the U.S. Senate and was known for his sermons.I imagine some of these events took a little longer than is shown in the film, although it can't have been much longer because Todd died in 1949, at the age of 47. The film starts in the 1920a. He sure crammed in a lot. "A Man Called Peter" tries to hit the high points, showing his childhood in Scotland and love of the sea, a dramatic calling to the ministry, his first church in Georgia, meeting his wife Catherine (Peters), and the ministry in his church in Washington, D.C., which led to his fame. I'm not sure how much dramatic license was taken, but Marshall's story plays out very effectively.Jean Peters does a lovely job as Catherine, who also narrates the film. The linchpin, of course, is Richard Todd as Marshall, and he's absolutely wonderful, certainly worthy of greater Hollywood stardom than he had. He should have been right up there with Richard Burton. He gives a powerful, utterly believable performance, never putting on airs as a holy man but giving us a real human being. Sadly, Marshall's son, who also became a minister, died just this year at age 68 (if indeed he was born on the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor), and Marshall's wife Catherine passed away in 1983. The film is based on her book of the same name.I saw this film when I was in grammar school, I guess, so it was 50 years ago or more, and the only scene I remembered was the very last one. I don't know if I appreciated its spiritual message as much as I do now. This is a film not for people of any particular religion, but for people who consider themselves spiritual. I will only say that Henry Koster overdid it a little on the establishing shots, though I'm sure that since the film is in color, he wanted to show the lovely scenery. This isn't the kind of film that's being made any longer. There are films made with spiritual messages, but they're not done like this. "A Man Called Peter" is an old-fashioned Hollywood family movie, but its message is timeless.

beresfordjd I have always liked the late Richard Todd as an actor, he was very watchable and had real charisma and integrity. However this movie is just about the dullest biopic I have ever seen. From the very start it is less than convincing. Pure propaganda for the God squad who really should join the 21st century instead of living in the 13th century wracked with superstition and belief in miracles and magic. I had never seen this movie before and looked forward to becoming engrossed in a story about someone with whom I was totally unfamiliar. I tried, I honestly did, but my attention wandered and I could not stomach the holier than thou thread which pervaded this debacle. A pity it was not better written as I am sure there is an actual story to be told rather than this pap. Not a good movie to choose to see Richard Todd's talent.