The film is based on the novel, "Pilgrim Aflame" by Myron Augsburger. It's set in Switzerland, Germany and Austria from 1524-1527, and recounts the rise of the Anabaptist movement in those areas that resulted in the Swiss Brethren.
The film opens showing some of the chaos of the time, including peasant unrest and the threat of invasion by the Turks. Ulrich Zwingli (Christopher Neame), along with some of his more radical disciples, especially Wilhelm Reublin (Daniel Perrett). We're also introduced to Michael Sattler (Norbert Weisser), the Prior in a monastery, and Margaretha (Leigh Lombardi), a member of the Beguine movement. Part of Sattler's work is to help gather taxes from the common people at the direction of Eberhard Hoffman (Mark Lenard). Hoffman is an official accountable to Count Joachim von Zollern (Lynn Mathis).
The film shows some of the debate on infant baptism between Zwingli and the proto-Anabaptists in the Zurich city council, followed by the first adult baptisms, the later banishment of most of the Anabaptist leaders, and some of their subsequent efforts to attract followers among the rural peasant population.
Meanwhile we learn of Sattler's departure from the monastery and Margaretha's agreeing to marry him. Sattler grapples with various points of Anabaptist thought, and has frequent interaction with Reublin. On one occasion Sattler is arrested, but is released by Zwingli because Sattler has not yet joined the Anabaptists. Michael and Margaretha finally are baptized by Reublin, and Sattler assumes greater leadership in the Anabaptist movement. Reublin favors a peasant rebellion while Sattler firmly rejects use of physical weapons in responding to the Catholic and Zwinglian rulers. A battle leaves Reublin disconsolate as he feels he has failed.
In the wake of this crisis within the Anabaptist community, Sattler calls for a gathering of Anabaptist leaders in Schleitheim to come to agreement on core Anabaptist principles. This results in the 1527 Schleitheim Confession. However, Michael and Margaretha Sattler are soon arrested, and after a lengthy trial Michael is tortured and burned, and two days later Margaretha is drowned. In the trailing notes we learn that Wilhelm Reublin recanted his Anabaptist beliefs in 1535 and died a wealthy man.
This is probably the only commercial film that takes seriously the pacifist roots of the Anabaptist movement. Films made in Europe have tended to focus on the non-pacifist Anabaptist kingdom in Münster in 1534-1535, or the character of Thomas Müntzer, one of the leaders of the 1524 Peasants' Rebellion.
"The Radicals" is a brave effort, but has several limitations. It is so sincere that Sattler becomes a saint long before his martyrdom. Efforts are made at occasional humor, especially between Michal and Margaretha, but some seems quite forced. On occasion it was difficult to keep track of the various Anabaptist leaders in various encounters with authorities. The pace of the film is slow at times as Sattler ruminates about this and that. The low budget of the film results in stiff acting by some of the lesser characters.
The film opens showing some of the chaos of the time, including peasant unrest and the threat of invasion by the Turks. Ulrich Zwingli (Christopher Neame), along with some of his more radical disciples, especially Wilhelm Reublin (Daniel Perrett). We're also introduced to Michael Sattler (Norbert Weisser), the Prior in a monastery, and Margaretha (Leigh Lombardi), a member of the Beguine movement. Part of Sattler's work is to help gather taxes from the common people at the direction of Eberhard Hoffman (Mark Lenard). Hoffman is an official accountable to Count Joachim von Zollern (Lynn Mathis).
The film shows some of the debate on infant baptism between Zwingli and the proto-Anabaptists in the Zurich city council, followed by the first adult baptisms, the later banishment of most of the Anabaptist leaders, and some of their subsequent efforts to attract followers among the rural peasant population.
Meanwhile we learn of Sattler's departure from the monastery and Margaretha's agreeing to marry him. Sattler grapples with various points of Anabaptist thought, and has frequent interaction with Reublin. On one occasion Sattler is arrested, but is released by Zwingli because Sattler has not yet joined the Anabaptists. Michael and Margaretha finally are baptized by Reublin, and Sattler assumes greater leadership in the Anabaptist movement. Reublin favors a peasant rebellion while Sattler firmly rejects use of physical weapons in responding to the Catholic and Zwinglian rulers. A battle leaves Reublin disconsolate as he feels he has failed.
In the wake of this crisis within the Anabaptist community, Sattler calls for a gathering of Anabaptist leaders in Schleitheim to come to agreement on core Anabaptist principles. This results in the 1527 Schleitheim Confession. However, Michael and Margaretha Sattler are soon arrested, and after a lengthy trial Michael is tortured and burned, and two days later Margaretha is drowned. In the trailing notes we learn that Wilhelm Reublin recanted his Anabaptist beliefs in 1535 and died a wealthy man.
This is probably the only commercial film that takes seriously the pacifist roots of the Anabaptist movement. Films made in Europe have tended to focus on the non-pacifist Anabaptist kingdom in Münster in 1534-1535, or the character of Thomas Müntzer, one of the leaders of the 1524 Peasants' Rebellion.
"The Radicals" is a brave effort, but has several limitations. It is so sincere that Sattler becomes a saint long before his martyrdom. Efforts are made at occasional humor, especially between Michal and Margaretha, but some seems quite forced. On occasion it was difficult to keep track of the various Anabaptist leaders in various encounters with authorities. The pace of the film is slow at times as Sattler ruminates about this and that. The low budget of the film results in stiff acting by some of the lesser characters.
