Making a biblical dramatization can be a dicey prospect. The Bible tells us everything we need to know about the story of salvation history, but it can be a little skimpy on details not necessary to forward that narrative. That means, for the most part, we’re not given too many specifics about how the people in Scripture looked, what their voices sounded like, what their mannerisms were, or what they did in between the recorded stories. We just don’t need to know that stuff to get into Heaven. Naturally, though, to adapt the tales in the Bible to the screen, it helps to have such information. That means, for better or worse, filmmakers must speculate to fill in the gaps. And that’s where a show like FOX Nation’s Martin Scorsese Presents The Saints: Mary can get into a little bit of trouble.
Now, before we nitpick one sentence in an hour long show, let’s talk about a lot of the things it gets right. Having grown up in the religion, Martin Scorcese is very aware of how protective his fellow Catholics can be when it comes to the Blessed Virgin. No doubt that’s why this episode of the well-regarded series begins with a spoken promise from the famed filmmaker himself that the show will make every effort to demonstrate the proper respect the Holy Mother of God deserves.
With this vow made, the show launches into a series of vignettes mostly drawn from the Bible. We see Mary’s betrothal, where it’s interesting to note the younger Joseph tradition is favored over the idea that he was an old man when the two married. We get the Annunciation which, if I’m not imagining things, gives a bit of a nod to Bernini’s The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa in the way Mary reacts to the event. There’s the subsequent fallout from her miraculous pregnancy and the visit to her cousin Elizabeth, which we’ll discuss more in a minute. From there, it’s on to the birth of Jesus and beyond. Just about every appearance of Mary in the Gospels is depicted in one form or another and, as promised, it’s mostly a respectful interpretation.
As for the inevitable additions made by the filmmakers, most of the choices aren’t necessarily theologically incorrect; they just might not align with the Mother of the Church we know. For example, Mary appears somewhat angrier with 12-year-old Jesus for staying behind at the temple than Scriptures would lead us to believe, and she definitely looks disturbed rather than understanding when the older Jesus asks the question, “Who is my mother?” Again, not blatant errors, just perhaps not a true reflection of a sinless woman steeped in Jewish scripture and Tradition.
One unexpected but welcome addition is the scene in which the recently resurrected Jesus visits Mary before anyone else. The show freely admits this incident doesn’t appear in the Bible, but correctly notes that St. Ignatius of Loyola found it perfectly reasonable to conclude such an event occurred. Besides, it’s a clever way for the show to discuss, through Jesus’ words to her, what makes Mary so important anyway.
So far, so good. However, as noted, there is one tiny bit of dialogue that goes by so quickly as to almost be unnoticed, yet it’s sure to concern those Catholics who catch it. When Joseph comes to visit Mary at Elizabeth’s home, presumably to end their betrothal, Mary pleads her case. As she is doing so, Mary insists that, while she is sure she is not sinless, she has done nothing wrong in the matter of her pregnancy. Not sinless? She's sure she's not sinless? Well, the constant teaching of the Church throughout the centuries might have something to say about that. The line contradicts the Catholic doctrine of the Immaculate Conception -- that Mary was freed from the inheritance of original sin from her very first moment of life. It’s quite possible this was just meant to be a throwaway line designed to help portray Mary as a real flesh and blood person rather than just an icon, and the Church has no official position on whether Mary was conscious of her sinlessness, but it's hard to imagine the show's Catholic advisors didn't catch it and raise an eyebrow.
Still, even with this one quibble, this episode is a fine overview of the life of Mary and her significance to the Church. Unfortunately, the show does end when Mary’s life on Earth does -- as to the question of the Dormition (her "falling asleep"), that's not shown -- so there’s no discussion of the subsequent devotions and doctrines that arose around her. That just leaves room for a sequel episode, though, so maybe we’ll get that another time. Until then, enjoy what we do get and be glad Scorsese worked to keep his promise.
Martin Scorsese Presents The Saints: Mary is available for viewing on Fox Nation.
