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  • Cardinal Messias (1939)
  • 96 min | Drama, History, War
Cardinal Messias (1939)
96 min | Drama, History, War

The film takes place at the end of the 19th century. The Cardinal Guglielmo Massaia has spent 20 years in Ethiopia to convert people to the Catholic Church. He comes back to Italy and he tries to get the help of the government of Piedmont....See moreThe film takes place at the end of the 19th century. The Cardinal Guglielmo Massaia has spent 20 years in Ethiopia to convert people to the Catholic Church. He comes back to Italy and he tries to get the help of the government of Piedmont. The Count Cavour, although he appreciates the Cardinal's deeds in Africa, cannot grant his Cabinet's support to the Cardinal's plans. The missionary man, trusting the Divine Providence, goes back to Africa by himself. The Cardinal, who is known among the people as Abuna Messias, becomes a friend of king Menelik. The support of the king is fundamental to spread his word and accomplish his mission. The Head of the Coptic Church, Abuna Attanasio, does whatever he can to prevent Massaia from reaching his goals and to get him exiled from Ethiopia. Menelik refuses to help Abuna Attanasio, who decides to address the Emperor, thus igniting a war between the Emperor and his subject Menelik. In order to end the war, the Cardinal decides to leave Africa, having nevertheless ordained a young Ethiopian priest, who will continue his mission. Written by manutwo See less
Read more: Plot summary
Writers
Luigi Bernardi (story) | Vittorio Cottafavi (adaptation and screenplay) | Cesare Lodovici (dialogue) (as Cesare Vico Lodovici) | Domenico Meccoli (adaptation and screenplay) | Callisto V. Vanzin (story)
Composer
Cinematographers
Editor
Giorgio Simonelli (as Giorgio C. Simonelli)
Production Designers
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Aug 31, 1939

Release date
Oct 1939 (Italy)
Awards

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Cast

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13 cast members
Name Known for
Camillo Pilotto
Il cardinale Guglielmo Massaia, detto "Abuna Messias" Il cardinale Guglielmo Massaia, detto "Abuna Messias"   See fewer
Enrico Glori
Il re Menelik Il re Menelik   See fewer
Mario Ferrari
Abuna Atanasio Abuna Atanasio   See fewer
Amedeo Trilli
Ghebrà Selassié, il consigliere di Alem Ghebrà Selassié, il consigliere di Alem   See fewer
Berchè Zaitù Taclè
La princessa Alem La princessa Alem   See fewer
Ippolito Silvestri
Il re Johannes Il re Johannes   See fewer
Franz Sala
Il marchese Antinori (as Francesco Sala) Il marchese Antinori (as Francesco Sala)   See fewer
Roberto Pasetti
Padre Leone Padre Leone   See fewer
Corrado Racca
Il conte Di Cavour (scenes deleted) Il conte Di Cavour (scenes deleted)   See fewer
Michael
Morka Morka   See fewer
Abd-el-Uad
Abu Beker, il capo indigeno Abu Beker, il capo indigeno   See fewer
Enzo Turco
Actor Actor   See fewer
Oscar Andriani
Padre Reginaldo Giuliani (in prologue) (scenes deleted) Padre Reginaldo Giuliani (in prologue) (scenes deleted)   See fewer
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