THE SUCCESSOR (1965) – This made for British television drama was as deep as a 1965 production was going to go in depicting the deliberations and the behind the scenes maneuvering as the College of Cardinals chooses the next Pope. All the characters are fictional, but it’s acknowledged that the events are slightly based on the election of Pope John XXIII in October of 1958.
The 90-minute play was filmed by Anglia Television and was written by Troy Kennedy Martin, Reinhard Raffalt and Steven Vas. John Jacobs directed.
The international assembly of Cardinals hash out arguments that are both religious and unavoidably political. And that means external politics in an ever-changing world as well as the inevitable internal politics that play out within any large and powerful organization.
After two weeks, the Cardinals are evenly divided between Cardinal Ricci (Peter Copley), pushed by left-leaning voters and the Cardinal of Palermo (Alan Wheatley), pushed by right-leaning voters. The dying Cardinal of Toledo (Felix Aylmer) begs his colleagues to place the church in the hands of an uncomplicated man who is not politically dogmatic.
Ultimately, the moderate Cardinal of Bologna (Rupert Davies) is settled on as the compromise candidate. Now the complication is that this Cardinal feels he is not worthy of the Papacy. In the end, the Cardinal of Bologna reluctantly accepts the enormous responsibility.
The impressive cast also included Roger “The Master” Delgado as the Cardinal of Rio, Tony Steedman as the Cardinal of Paris, Marne Maitland as the Cardinal of Bombay, Thomas Baptiste as the Cardinal of Uganda, Robert Lee as the Cardinal of Macao, Cyril “The White Guardian” Luckham as the Dean of the College of Cardinals and John Franklyn-Robbins as the Ceremonialist.
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Logged, thank you sir!
….As deep as the 1960’s were prepared to go with the historical nitty-gritty ~ and far deeper, spiritually and in the heart, than we ourselves are prepared to go presently, eh? Just imagine trying to sell that story line to either the studio executives or their modern public. Shame, isn’t it?
And surprising even back then for a British production given what a deep dive this was into Catholicism.
Engaging
Thank you!
Go old Anglia televison, I knew it well. Great read.
Thank you! Yes, they staged some terrific productions long ago.
From Yeroboam to Paul: Legal Innovations and Covenant Abandonment.
Most scholars date Luke–Acts to 80–90 CE, though some push it even later (up to 110 CE) during the reign of Domitian. Possibly written in Antioch (Syria) or Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Some scholars even propose Rome itself. This would explain the connection between Luke and Mark.
The key to understanding how Luke reworks Mark and positions his narrative within the post-Temple, Roman imperial world. Luke doesn’t just “echo” Mark—he copies large portions of it (often verbatim in Greek), but modifies the tone, theological emphasis, and political implications. Luke penned a more polished, philosophical, and Roman-friendly gospel.
Interesting.