Cristiada - Defending the Faith

Armed gunmen invade a Catholic church, shooting the faithful in prayer and murdering the priest. The Middle East today? Germany in the 1940s?

At America's back door in the 1920's the Mexican Government, headed by the atheist Plutarco Elías Calles, began an all-out assault on the Catholic Church, and especially the clergy of Mexico. In reponse, thousands rose up in armed revolt against the repressive Mexican government and in defense of the Church and religious freedom. The uprising became known as the Cristeros War, or Cristiada.

Now, Newland Films, a Mexican production company, is releasing a new film, Cristiada, about the Cristeros War. The movie stars Andy Garcia and Peter O'Toole, and is already garnering interest as a stirring tribute to those who risked their lives in defense of the faith in Mexico. The makers of the film describe it a: "A chronicle of the Cristeros War (1926-1929) which was touched off by a rebellion against the Mexican Government's attempt to secularize the country. The film follows the stories of ordinary people from across the country who choose to stand up for their freedom. Caught up in a full-fledged civil war, they must decide how far they are willing to go and what they're willing to risk."

From the Friars Blog of the Eastern Province (Link)