Defender of the Faith
As Pope Benedict XVI, Joseph Ratzinger wanted to lead the Church back to its former strength, but instead he plunged it into a deep crisis. He reacted largely inactive to the revelations of multiple cases of abuse by clergy. In order to understand the thinking of this unconditional hardliner, documentary filmmaker Christoph Röhl delves deep into Ratzinger's past - but what really leaves us speechless are the testimonies of how the church, on a large and small scale, dealt with the crimes of its priests.
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📋 Film Details
| Original Title | Verteidiger des Glaubens |
| Year | 2019 |
| Country | Germany |
| Genre | Documentary |
| Director | Christoph Röhl |
| Runtime | 92 min. |
| Rating | TMDB: 5.5/10 (1 votes) |
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🎬 MovieFinder's Take
The film constructs a meticulous and damning examination, relying on archival footage and interviews to explore not just the pontiff's persona but the institutional machinery that enabled silence. It traces the tragic disconnect between doctrinal rigidity and pastoral failure.
What lingers after the credits roll is a profound sense of institutional betrayal and the human cost of prioritizing authority over compassion. The testimonies presented are both devastating and vital. — MovieFinder Editorial
Director: Christoph Röhl
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Watch attentively, with space for reflection on the weighty themes of power and accountability.
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