This is a movie about heroes who stood up for freedom – in this case, religious freedom. It's not easy to make a heroic film, but this movie comes reasonably close. There are a few awkward camera movements, and some of the younger actors don't always make the most convincing performances. However, the overall effort is quite moving and convincing. Considering these events actually happened and these are historical figures not fictional characters makes the movie that much more compelling. Some reviewers have argued that the movie is "too Catholic." Considering these were Catholics fighting, eventually, fighting violently, for their freedoms, these criticisms reveal more about the reviewers' prejudices and biases than it does about the film. This is an important, thought-provoking film about freedom that should be seen and discussed.

"For Greater Glory" is an amazing film. It's an inspiring retelling of the the Cristeros War against the Mexican government for its having outlawed the Catholic Church and its executions and massacres of those who dared to live out their religious freedom.

The cast is top-notch and the direction pretty competent, keeping the story weaved among intimate scenes and battle scenes. Filled with poignant moments of the lives of the protagonists and of those close to them and with the heroic - as well as less than heroic - skirmish scenes.

It's a movie about taking sides courageously, how conflicting this can be in a man's conscience, especially when it involves the spilling of blood. If anything, the personal struggle of many characters getting into this war and carrying it out made the film shine. From the young boy who faced martyrdom for the Catholic faith - Jose Sanchez del Rio, beatified in 2005 - to his uncle, a cowardly mayor too enamored of power to save him.

I cannot help thinking how timely this film is when the Church and Catholics - for now - are again being curtailed in their freedoms by a government with its own agenda, this time the American government trying to limit the Church's ministry and to force Catholics to violate their consciences. Like Calles, Obama has presented the same arguments to justify his unjustifiable actions against the Church, Catholics and their institutions. It's government might over faith, the collective over the individual, an usurpation of the state to serve not the people, but an ideology.

PS: disregard most professional critics' reviews for they seem to have a chip on their shoulder so big that it blinds them to the artistic and cinematographic qualities of this film.

When I first visited Mexico in the late 1960's these events were still spoken of in hushed tones if spoken of at all. It was counseled as healthier never to bring them up as the political descendants of those responsible were still in power and very easily riled. Now they're all dead and we can go see a movie right here in Mexico about what had been erased from the history books for almost 90 years. If only for that reason it's worth seeing, but it has plenty more to offer.

The film is entertaining, the cast mostly up to the task, and the director brings it all off with a few rough edges, tho' they aren't enough to get in the way of enjoying the film. Here and there sufficient historical data is presented (the locations and the sets & wardrobe are all 1st rate) to give the audience an idea of just where certain events took place, but in general you'd really have to be up on your Mexican history to know where all this went on, because the fighting mostly took place in just 4 states.

Beefs: The film could be shorter without diluting it's impact. Losing 12-18 minutes or so would make it tighter without sacrificing much although its length doesn't kill your interest. I say this because there are scenes that come along, and as you're watching them you just know they aren't necessary to tell the story. The editing here and there could use some going over as at times the film seems to jump back & forth between the adversaries without much finesse. Other comments I've read about this movie rave about the child actor that has the youth lead in the story -an important role- though I find he over-acts. Once I adjusted myself to his mugging it didn't get in the way of the rest of the story. Frankly his taller young friend was more convincing in a much smaller role. One other minor beef: Andy Garcia, who I like in anything, including this, is a bit old to be playing General Gorostieta, who only lived to just over 40. But these are all relatively small potatoes. None of them or even all of them together are reason enough not see the movie. Americans especially just might gain some sorely lacking respect for the intensity of what it has meant to be Mexican in the 20th century.