In 1917, three shepherd children living just outside Fatima, Portugal have visions of a lovely lady in a cloud. The anticlerical government wishes to squelch the Church; reports of religious experiences are cause for serious concern. Yet the children stand by their story, and the message of peace and hope the Lady brings. In the last vision, attended by thousands of people, the Lady proves her reality with a spectacular miracle that is seen by everyone present. Based on actual events at Fatima in the summer of 1917.
Production
Warner Bros. built massive crowd scenes with actual Portuguese extras.
Cinematography
Technicolor glow on the Lady visions feels genuinely otherworldly.
Director
John Brahm
Gilbert Roland
Hugo da Silva
Angela Clarke
Maria Rosa Abóbora dos Santos
Frank Silvera
Council Administrator Arturo dos Santos
Jay Novello
António Abóbora dos Santos
Richard Hale
Father Ferreira
Frances Morris
Olímpia Marto
Carl Milletaire
District Magistrate
Sherry Jackson
Jacinta Marto
Lou Krugman
Minister of Police (uncredited)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The actual 'Miracle of the Sun' was investigated by the Catholic Church for 13 years before being officially recognized; this film hit theaters during that investigation, essentially lobbying for approval.
1952 was peak Cold War 'under God' era—Warner Bros. pitched this as anti-communist propaganda, framing the Portuguese government's secularism as Soviet-style godlessness.
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