A Man Called Peter

I saw the movie A MAN CALLED PETER when I was young and recently thought I should own the DVD and listen to the recording of a sermon by Peter Marshall that was a special feature on the DVD. There are plenty of sermons in the movie itself, including a sermon for the cadets at the naval academy in Annapolis on December 7, 1941 delivered before the attack on Pearl Harbor but emphasizing how meaningfully death could become our own world in a way that this world never will be. Peter Marshall was chaplain for the U.S. Senate, where he offered daily prayers that strove to be relevant to the kind of things that happen in Washington, D.C., from 1947 until the heart attack which killed him in 1949. Seeing the movie in a theater as a child, I was impressed by the idea that people who work hard are bound to die young and go to a well-deserved rest. I have certainly not been working hard enough for anything like that to happen to me, but I can appreciate this movie as an intellectual exercise in reflecting the spirit of the times in which the United States became a great power but faced mounting confusions about how to remain one.On a personal level, Catherine Marshall is a major character in the movie, and she was author of a book that the movie is based on. At the beginning, she is merely a college girl going to church and listening to sermons, but remembering much more than most of us are capable of. That part of the plot reminds me of some themes of the `somebody's miracle' CD which Liz Phair released in 2005. The ironic first song, "leap of innocence," includes the dreadful lines, "I had so many friends in rehab. A couple who practically died. Anyone can tell you were my instrument. He said, I understand you. You want to play me." God and the Marshalls triangulated that theme marvelously.One of the characters in the movie, a Senator Harvey, thwarts the plans of the timber interests who want to create a few more millionaires by clearing some forests, when he votes against a land bill to save thousands of farms that could have been destroyed by floods in subsequent years. It is nice to know that people making movies in 1955 were smart enough to include a few lines about facing the wind, like the second song on the Liz Phair CD about `wind and the mountain,' where she sings, "You're gonna right another wrong. And sometimes I am inspired. You're gonna raise your hand and say I don't understand. And there are days when you get an answer. There are days when you find your answer."The movie includes a sermon on Elijah telling the chosen people, "Choose to serve the Lord." A little fire from heaven helped the people at Mt. Carmel make that choice, and sarcastic comments about the 450 prophets of Baal who could not call down fire from heaven certainly helped Americans learn how a super power could act on a good day, when the future seems like nothing but easy cakewalks. We have built an incredibly complex military base for carrying out whatever destructive tasks we can imagine, but have been lacking enough foresight to figure out what we will do when the people we borrowed money from ask us to actually pay for it. As Liz Phair put it:And the wind that I'm inScreams on meScreams on meHowls around meHowls around meAnd I feel like I am a naked manI've got nothing and no oneIn a stranger's landAnd the wind will do me in.

The film goes back to a time where the renowned Presbyterian minister, Peter Marshall, was called at a time when and where the need of faith was great (depression and WW2 ) in America. We are at that same point today and what was needed then is needed now to bring us ALL TOGETHER. A biography written by Catherine Marshall made into an Acadeny Award nominated movie in 1955. Inspirational

Believe it or not, A MAN CALLED PETER has nothing to do with the Pope. However it is about a minister - a Protestant one. And it's a true story about a Presbyterian minister from Scotland, named Peter Marshall, who came to the U.S. and ended up as chaplain to the American Senate. He was a man who wanted to enliven the churches where he became pastor. Under his tutelage half empty churches filled to overflowing, exciting the young, but unnerving the "old guard". He sometimes had quite the struggle when the "old guard" became "en garde!"One of the features of A MAN CALLED PETER, is its filming. It was made in 1955, when filmmaking and cinematography were vastly more simple. There is none of the rich subtle variations of light and dark that we expect now, and none of the expensive and expansive connecting shots we're used to. Films were often set pieces clipped together, sometimes with a dissolve or a wipe, but the work was put together in a shorter order and running time. Having a look at such features, let alone the clothing fashions and the cars of the era is always entertaining.But A MAN CALLED PETER is more than entertaining. It's a serious story of love and faith, something we don't seem to see too often these days. Scotch actor Richard Todd brings Peter Marshall to life; Jean Peters as the student who sets her cap for him is fully in the fifties in manner and costume. In 1955 Movies had to be reticent in the intimacies of married life - for example, because of the "code," Hollywood invented twin beds so that married couples should not be seen in bed togetherAll this aside, A MAN CALLED PETER is important to us today because a number of Peter Marshall's sermons are delivered fully and with passion. The best is the one he gave to the naval academy graduating class just after Pearl Harbour. He spoke to the young men and women in the fullness of their vigorous youth about death. What is it, he asked, what is it like? When he finished there wasn't a dry eye in this man's head!Amazon has A MAN CALLED PETER, and at their usually moderate price. You won't regret adding it to your collection.Peace,P the G

I loved everything about this book. It added details that I didn't pick up in the film version. It's a must read for the young generation to see the real life struggles of a Scottish young man who immigrated to the USA hoping to serve 'his boss', the Lord Jesus. Instead of 'walking into a job' he discovered that he first had to earn a living with backbreaking work before being eventually accepted into ministry. I loved the way that he would 'talk' to his boss and the reality he eventually found; that he needed a wife to complement his ministry and get through to the young people of his day. One of the profound moments in the film concerned his bedridden wife, Catherine, who became a huge burden during the war years when church donations sank rock bottom. I learned a huge lesson from the lesson she learned about the healing power of God. It was not until she surrendered to her sickness (thereby surrendering to God's will) that Jesus healed her. Until then she legalistically expected to be healed by claiming healing in God's name. The courting between Peter, as a young pastor, and Catherine, an infatuated college student, was wonderfully portrayed. It was delightful that Peter, forever in serious conversations with the Lord, never took notice of his pushy admirer. A delightful read for all ages,Charles Pallaghy, August 2012, Melbourne, Australia

This is a great and inspiring movie! The case and DVD were delivered in great condition! I would recommend this to anyone!

Richard Todd plays Peter Marshall in this uplifting film of his life. It shows how he committed everything to God and how he rested on His promises. There are several scenes in which Peter gives a sermon. One where he answers the tired old question that is so often demanded - prove to me there is a God - is particularly challenging. He says,"I can't prove to you there is a God. How can my tiny mind prove the existance of so great a power? You say a flower is beautiful - prove to me that it's beautiful. There are some things you CAN'T prove."In another sermon he speaks of death to a group of Navy personnel. He tells them how tomorrow is promised to no one but that death has lost it's sting and that it's like stepping into another room. The next night Pearl Harbour is bombed and these men and women are called to war.Peter Marshall had a zest for life, joy in his heart and a deep love for and fellowship with God. He trusted God all the way and had a peace and contentment throughout his life that all true Christians have and sadly, atheists will never know or understand. This film shows that very, very well. It is a truly excellent production, I cannot praise it highly enough.

A true story about wonderful people

I like everything about this movie . There is no scratches it’s a perfect movie.

Really great movie. Would watch it again. This movie shows a man who really cared about about People and listened to God. It shows that times get hard and even some of those in the church can be against you - but keep going and don't give up and you can make a difference in the world. We need more leaders like this man Peter.