Catholic Review of: The Scarlet and the Black

The Scarlet and the Black - Two colors which are not only the colors of a Nazi Swastika and SS uniform, but the colors of a monsignor's clothing.  These are the two opposing forces that are at odds in this remarkable movie. 

Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty is the head of the Holy Office of the Catholic Church, but also the head of an underground movement in Rome which is helping escaped allied soldiers as well as Jews escape the hands of the Nazi SS, who are in control of the city.  Throughout the entire movie, Monsignor O'Flaherty does what it takes to save these people from death at the orders of Colonel Herbert Kappler, the head of the SS in Rome.

One of the interesting things about this movie is that it pictures Pope Pius XII in a much more neutral light than many of his detractors would care to see.  While he does not personally hide the victims of the Nazis in the Vatican, he does not try to hinder Monsignor O'Flaherty's efforts.  He tells the monsignor that as a leader of country which is surrounded by the Nazis, his prime goal is to keep Catholics in occupied countries from the mass murder experienced by the Jews.  He tells that monsignor that for the safety of the Catholics he could only be vocal about the slaughter of the Jews, but he could not organize efforts to rescue them.  He does, however, not hinder the monsignor, but he tells him that he cannot not save him if he is caught. 

The story is made even better by the cast of the movie.  Monsignor O'Flaherty is played by Gregory Peck, whose expert performance is rivaled by Christopher Plummer, who plays Colonel Kapplar.  The Scarlet and the Black is definately among the best performances of both actors.  This movie is a must-have for anyone who has interest in World War II or the Church in the 1930s.