Movie Review: The Story of Saint Augustine

A few years ago I got my girls The Story of Saint Perpetua and the animated movie has been a huge hit with the girls.  It's a movie that they ask to watch as frequently as their favorite Disney movies.  For the longest time the girls have asked when there would be another saint movie like The Story of Saint Perpetua.  Just as my seven and a half year old was at the point of being exasperated that "they" still haven't made another saint movie she discovered that The Story of Saint Augustine had been released.

Since a copy of The Story of Saint Augustine has arrived at our house it has been watched more times than I can recall.  The movie gives a good child friendly account of St. Augustine's life.  We see St. Augustine go from living a life of luxury to one dedicated to Christ.  Children will also be introduced to St. Ambrose and St. Augustine's mother, St. Monica.

I liked how the movie follows St. Augustine on his conversion journey.  In that journey we see how Augustine slowly realizes that the prestige of being "The Voice of the Emperor" is not the best use of his God given gift for rhetoric and in trying to find a way to supplant Bishop Ambrose he finds himself embracing Christianity.

My seven year old really likes this movie.  She will sit and watch this movie and comment about how bad the Romans and she picks up on the good that is done by Bishop Ambrose, St. Monica and the other Christians.

Overall, I think the movie is a great introduction to Sts. Augustine, Ambrose and Monica for children.  The Story of Stain Augustine is geared to youth ages 8 and older but I think it will appeal to children as young as six.  My eleven year old was happy to sit and watch this movie several times with her younger sister.

This movie is a nice addition to the Catholic Heroes of the Faith series.  Of the two movies that are currently part of the series, I'd have to say that The Story of Saint Perpetua is still our favorite.  Already my seven year old is asking when the next movie will be out.  She can't wait to find out who the next movie will be about.

I was provided with a review copy of The Story of Saint Augustine by the publisher, Herald Entertainment, in exchange for my honest review.  Visit Herald Entertainment for more information on this title.