Who was Saint Patrick? This new documentary film delves beneath the myth of Ireland’s patron saint to reveal that the patron saint of Ireland was an ordinary man who accomplished the extraordinary by placing his faith in God. Precious few historical facts are known of this man who walked through pre-Christian 5th century Ireland. Two documents written by Patrick, the Confession and his Letter to Coroticus, an Irish warlord, are all that remain. Yet these brief writings captured his emotional state, his innermost feelings and aspirations.
Exquisitely filmed on location in Ireland, and using dramatic wide-screen black and white re-creations, SAINT PATRICK: APOSTLE OF IRELAND, visually traces the great saint’s footsteps. Patrick’s actual confessions are read in voice-over, and evocative music further carries viewers back in time to re-live the experience of walking side by side with Patrick. From his birth to his death, viewers are able to witness Patrick’s physical struggles and to participate fully in his transformation and spiritual mission.
Structured in three parts to correspond to three phases of St. Patrick’s life, SAINT PATRICK: APOSTLE OF IRELAND, a production of Insight Film & Video Productions of Canada, was directed by David Tennant. In addition to Patrick’s own words, the film features on-camera interviews with two noted experts on Irish history, Father Frank Fahey of Ballintubber Abbey, and Michael Slavin, author of The Book of Tara. The film stars Nicholas McCarthy as Saint Patrick.