St. Teresa of Avila

Back in '83 I found this series by accident on the primary Mexican channel while living in the San Francisco area. I was absolutely riveted to this portrayal of the saint, even though I could recall only very little of my high school Spanish.At the time I was out of work, so I was glued to my TV as the series progressed during the week. I had just recently re-read Marcelle Auclair's definitive biography, Saint Teresa of Avila, which the series follows in detail. There was no mistaking major events in Teresa's life in the series, even for a non-Spanish speaking person. There was no mistaking her spirituality, either, which, for me, transcended language. I credit the very fine Spanish actor, Concha Velasco, as well as the other actors & the director, Josefina Molina, "the first woman to earn a degree in directing from Spain's Official Film School" for these accomplishments.Immediately after I viewed the mini-series in '83, I contacted the Mexican TV station to request that they make the mini-series available to the public with English dubbing or subtitles. They referred me to a production group in Spain that I could contact only by telegram. I never got a reply, but imagine my joy a mere 27 years later to discover this gem's availability on Amazon!With the English subtitles, you don't lose the nuances of Velasco's voice, & the subtitles are large, clear, & offer just a minor distraction to the beautiful filming of the life of this saint for all eras. Now I am going to re-read Auclair's book again, followed by watching the series again. Yes, it's that good!

The vast spiritual legacy of the gifted Teresa of Jesus is given brilliant telling in this near perfect Spanish film. I've watched the series several times and can find nary a false note. The choice aspect of this universally praised piece is the pride of place it affords S. Teresa's radiant spiritual doctrine; whole scenes admit an exposition of her teaching, with a beguiling screenplay, quietly artful filming, and a filmmaker's heroic patience, patience, patience. Nothing is hurried. Concha Velasco succeeds in a diamond-like portrayal of the saint; absolutely nothing stops an intense interior concentration on the screen every minute, every frame. A thoroughly remarkable performance to be treasured. Recommended especially for students of the Carmelite saint's teaching, and, happily enough, for those deeply familiar with Teresa's own writings. In this film, Teresa comes to heart-stopping life. What more can be asked? I'm not generally a fan of the mini-series format, but this pungent film conquers me. A film in such harmony with itself, its subject, its ultimate message, you cannot be disappointed.

As a Spanish film series, it is in Spanish with English subtitles. The only drawback for an English speaker with no Spanish.What a wonderful tribute to St Theresa of Avila. Seeing the Spanish settings, the life of the Spanish court & nobility, the culture and customs of the times was an eye opener. Reading it and seeing it were different experiences. The acting was first class. It helped that I had read her autobiography as well as biographies so I had context for the series. I would hope that anyone watching the series would also read her writings. For anyone wanting to know more about this great woman, this is a wonderful introduction.

This movie came quickly. It was as seller described.This movie was wonderful, even with the English sub-titles. I had to pause at times, to take notes of St. Teresa's instructions to her sisters. To see the reality of the opposition of those in the same faith who do not understand deeper devotion to Jesus, was heart breaking. This sad reality is pretty much across the board in all Christ denominations. The wonderful thing to watch is Teresa' resolve to obey the invitation of Jesus to come closer and live simply. She is one of my mentors....in my own journey of spiritual marriage.If you like Teresa' books and want to see her life on film, then this movie is for you. If you sense a drawing from Holy Spirit to come closer to Jesus' heart....do not fear the opposition...He will be worth it all....LET'S RUN TO HIM TOGETHER...

It is amazing, but the lead actress both looked and acted exactly as how I have always thought Saint Teresa would have looked and acted. She did such a great job! The movie was very well done, and although I would have liked to have seen more attention paid to her mystical experiences and her spiritual trials, there was still plenty in this movie to show what an amazing woman this saint was. I definitely recommend this movie. It has an aura about it that really makes you feel as if you are in the Spain of her time. It takes you into the Carmelite spirit in a way. And, the sets are so well done! In some scenes it looked so much like the real Monastery of the Incarnation in Avila that I had to get out my photos to double check! Great film.

This is without doubt the best miniseries I've ever seen and I would daresay the best ever made. Concha Velasco brilliantly portrays the great 16th century Carmelite mystic and saint. Her portrayal brings out the warmth, humor, humility, hard-headed common sense and incredible spiritual depth of this amazing woman who is also one of my favorite saints. All the actors are superb, as is the writing, the production values, sets, costumes, direction - everything. For those who think a story about a nun several hundred years ago would be boring, think again. This story has passion, intrigue, suspense - even an evil queen - the Princess of Eboli. But above all it is an amazing story of what God can do with someone who gives herself completely over to His guiding hand. I cannot recommend this film highly enough!

Ottimo film sulla Santa

Esta edición en blu-ray de Divisa consta de dos discos, presentados sobriamente en una caja típica de blu-ray, con sus marcos azules. La serie, por supuesto, es magnífica y merece mucho la pena. Ver a Concha Velasco en el mejor papel de su carrera, y que, ciertamente, nos hace creer que el personaje es real (no es que "haga de" Santa Teresa, es que doña Concha "es" Santa Teresa en esta serie), es todo un placer. Además, la ambientación histórica, la calidad del guión, obra de la escritora Carmen Martín Gaite y del entonces catedrático de Literatura Española de la Universidad de Salamanca, luego director de la RAE, Víctor García de la Concha, conjuntamente con la directora de la serie, Josefina Molina, y el buen quehacer de esta última, dan como resultado un producto de conocimiento obligado para quienes estén interesados en la Santa de Ávila.Pero, todo esto aparte, y que el aficionado ya sabrá, lo que hay que decir es que la edición está bastante bien y creo que es muy recomendable. La serie consta de ocho episodios, que se reparten, cuatro y cuatro, entre ambos discos. La calidad de la imagen es muy alta y está en consonancia con lo que se espera de un blu-ray. Además de los cuatro episodios, en cada unos de los discos hay varios extras; en este último caso, la calidad de la imagen es aceptable aunque no al nivel de un blu-ray, cosa lógica si tenemos en cuenta que son materiales de la época, programas de TV, etc., cuya calidad original era la que era. Desde un documental de la serie de TVE "Producción Española", hasta un programa de "Buenas Noches", también de TVE, que presentaba Mercedes Milá, y en el que entrevista a Molina, De la Concha, Gaite y Velasco, todo ello acompañado de algunas fichas sobre San Juan de la Cruz, sobre Ávila, o sobre sus iglesias románicas, entre algunas otras, estos complementos se agradecen mucho y hacen que esta edición no solo sea muy recomendable para los buenos aficionados, sino también, tal vez, como material educativo para centros escolares o culturales.

Una auténtica obra maestra, muy bien documentada, históricamente precisa, basada en las palabras y los textos de Santa Teresa, que te transporta completamente a la época. La interpretación de Concha Velasco es exquisita.En cuanto a la edición en Bluray, aunque no es la máxima calidad que admite este formato, sí que al parecer es la máxima calidad posible desde la grabación original, y la verdad es que se nota la diferencia con la versión en DVD que también tenía.