Best movies like Cotolay
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
The plot is loosely based on the legend from Galicia in north-west Spain of the founding by St Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) of the Convent of San Francisco near Santiago de Compostela in 1214 with the help of a poor charcoal burner named Cotolay, who found a buried treasure which paid for the construction. This slow moving but engaging film opens with St Francis arriving in Santiago with two other monks - Juan of Florence and Bernardo de Quintavalle - during a pilgrimage there to visit the tomb of St James the Apostle in the cathedral. He receives a divine revelation to tarry there until the meaning of his vision becomes clear. Faint with hunger he meets Cotolay (the 14-year-old Didier Haudepin) who gives the monks (stolen) figs to eat and leads them to the nearby Mount Pedroso where logging-master Tarna gives them food and lodging in return for work during their stay. While praying on the mountain St Francis believes he has been divinely instructed that his order of mendicant friars.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 72
Genere: Biography
Country: Spain
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic
Best tv shows and movies like Cotolay (1965):
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Not All Were Murderers (2006)
Plot Summary:
Based on the childhood memories of actor Michael Degen, the movie deals with the everyday struggle to survive as a Jewish boy in Nazi Germany. As his father had died in 1940 after being released from the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, Michael and his mother fear to be deported themselves. They manage to live in Berlin with false names and faked papers, hidden by several, often broken, people.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 448
Genere: Biography
Country: Germany
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, serious, suspenseful
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A Time for Miracles (1980)
Plot Summary:
Elizabeth Bayley Seton, America's first native-born saint and founder of the Sisters of Charity, is the subject of this inspiring biopic. After the tragic death of her husband, Seton converts to Catholicism. Once again, she suffers terrible loss when two of her children die, but goes on to found the American Sisters of Charity and the first American Catholic schools. Seton died in 1826 and was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1975.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 109
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags:
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Anthony, Warrior of God (2006)
Plot Summary:
The life of Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) from his arrival on Sicily's shores via shipwreck in 1221 to his death. He's a Portuguese monk who, once in Italy, seeks out St. Francis. Anthony's gift as a great preacher is discovered by happenstance. He spends much of his life in and near Padua, a city run by usurers. Anthony offers protection and friendship to Folco, at one time a petty criminal and acolyte to the usurers, later falsely accused of murder. Anthony's teaching and his spiritual strength lead to changes in the character of Padua and an end to usury. He became its patron Saint soon after his death, and 32 years later, his casket is opened and his tongue remains intact.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 200
Genere: Biography
Country: Italy
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, stylized, suspense, suspenseful, disturbing, realistic
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The Silence of Joan (2011)
Plot Summary:
In 1430, Joan of Arc, the prisoner of a powerful lord of the north of France is sold to the English. As a captive awaiting her death, she is approached by different men for whom she is believed to be the embodiment of the infinite.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 122
Genere: Biography
Country: France
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, realistic, bleak, captivating, emotional, contemplative, gloomy
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The Horde (2012)
Plot Summary:
It is the word "horde" that had meant, for many countries and nations, bloody raids and being under humilating contribution for centuries - a strange and scary world with its own rules and customs. To be or not to be for Rus (Ruthenia), that is the price of the one-man mission as he is departing to this world to accomplish a feat. The film tells the story of how Saint Alexius, the Metropolitan of Moscow and Wonderworker of All Russia, healed the Tatar Queen Taidula, Jani-Beg's mother, from blindness, in 1357.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Russia
Duration: 129 min
Plot tags: serious, suspenseful, exciting, epic, captivating
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My Way Home (1978)
Plot Summary:
Jamie leaves the children's home to live with his paternal grandmother. After working in a mine and in a tailor's shop, he is conscripted into the RAF, and goes to Egypt, where he is befriended by Robert, whose undemanding companionship releases Jamie from self-pity.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 842
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 71 min
Plot tags: depressing, bleak, art house, sincere, serious, realistic, contemplative, gloomy, independent film
Similar in 89%
Taylor Swift: American Beauty (2012)
Plot Summary:
Biography - Taylor Alison Swift has evolved into one of the most popular names in modern music. Her strong voice and natural charm has made her the most successful country music artist in history. At the tender age of 21, she's already sold over 34 million digital tracks alone. However her success is no coincidence! Taylor Swift is one of the hardest working performers in music. This biography picture goes beyond the music and explores the challenges and triumphs of Taylor Swift, the American Beauty. - Kathie Bostian, Holly Burns, Reid Cox.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 29
Genere: Biography
Country: USA
Duration: 52 min
Plot tags: sincere, serious, captivating, realistic
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Restless Virgins (2013)
Plot Summary:
A sex scandal that shook Massachusetts prep school, Milton Academy in 2004-05 school year.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 955
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, disturbing, psychological, sincere, suspenseful, funny, sexual, sexy
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Karol: A Man Who Became Pope (2005)
Plot Summary:
The life of the pope John-Paul II, from his youth as a writer, actor, and athlete in war-torn occupied Poland to his election as Pope at the age of 58.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Poland, Italy
Duration: 186 min
Plot tags: realistic, serious, factual, psychological, touching, crying, christian film
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Father Damien (1999)
Plot Summary:
The true story of the 19th century Belgian priest, Father Damien, who volunteered to go to the island of Molokai, to console and care for the lepers.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Belgium, Netherlands, Australia
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: christian film, sincere, uplifting, touching, serious, emotional, realistic
Similar in 75%
Mother Teresa (2003)
Plot Summary:
The inspirational portrayal of Mother Teresa, a simple nun who became one of the most significant personalities of the 20th Century. Armed with a faith that could move mountains, Mother Teresa followed her calling to help the poor, the lepers, the dying and the abandoned children in the slums of Calcutta, challenging many authorities - including the church - along the way.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 756
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Spain, UK, Italy
Duration: 180 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, inspirational, touching, sincere, captivating, biblical, spiritual, entertaining
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My Name Is Bernadette (2011)
Plot Summary:
Between February and July 1858, in the Massabielle cave, the Virgin appeared eighteen times to Bernadette Soubirous, a miserable little girl from Lourdes. A true revolution in the heart of the Second Empire that shakes the established order by his universal message of love and prayer.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 218
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: France
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, emotional, biblical, serious, realistic
Similar in 81%
Have a Little Faith (2011)
Plot Summary:
At age 82, Mitch Albom's former rabbi Albert Lewis wants the famous Detroit sportswriter to give his eulogy when the time comes. Albom makes a visit to his former home town in New Jersey, where Rabbi Lewis has served a congregation for about 50 years. Albom doesn't feel worthy, especially since he is no longer a practicing Jew and, in fact, he has married a Christian (who apparently isn't active either). Nevertheless, Rabbi Lewis says he is the one to do the job, and over the next eight years, Albom makes several visits back home and even attends some Sabbath services, where the good rabbi is determined to continue working and inspiring his flock even as his health declines.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 575
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: sincere, captivating, psychological, contemplative, spiritual, uplifting, touching, serious, realistic
Similar in 90%
Faustina (1994)
Plot Summary:
The Life of saint Maria Faustyna Kowalska, a Polish Nun.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 243
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Poland
Duration: 73 min
Plot tags: sincere, uplifting, thought provoking, touching, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic, contemplative, gloomy
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The Friends of Jesus: Thomas (2001)
Plot Summary:
When Jesus is taken off the cross at Golgotha, THOMAS arrives there. Like most of the other disciples, he had worriedly taken refuge with friends in Jerusalem after Jesus's arrest. After Jesus's burial, the disciples decide to leave Jerusalem quickly, but Thomas refuses to leave Jesus' body behind, as he fears that the tomb may be desecrated.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 209
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Italy
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: biblical, captivating, serious, emotional, realistic
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Among Wolves (2010)
Plot Summary:
EntreLobos (AmongWolves) tells the remarkable story of a poor country boy named Marcos, who at the age of 7 is handed over to his father's employer, a rich landowner, who in turn delivers him to a life of labor with a hermetic goatherd in an isolated valley. The old man, who lives in a cave, is unused to human company and at first seems not very interested in having a live-in apprentice. The boy, who was abused by his parents, is frightened and equally aloof initially. Despite this, the shepherd begins teaching Marcos how to herd the goats, as well as how to care for himself and how to survive in the wilderness by trapping and fishing.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Spain, Germany, France
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: touching, realistic, uplifting, serious
Similar in 87%
John Hus (1977)
Plot Summary:
A faithful recounting of the ministry, trial and martyrdom of the fifteenth century Bohemian priest John Hus, who built on the reforms of John Wycliffe, taught the Bible in the vernacular and who influenced Martin Luther a century later.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 88
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 55 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, serious, realistic, contemplative, christian film, independent film
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Pope Joan (1972)
Plot Summary:
Based on the medieval legend of Pope Joan, who was made Pope for a brief period around 855 A.D. The movie presents her existence as fact, though it is questionable that Pope Joan really did exist, and portrays her relationships with other notables of the time.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 391
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: UK
Duration: 132 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, serious, captivating, realistic, contemplative, period drama, cult film
Similar in 83%
Have No Fear: The Life of Pope John Paul II (2005)
Plot Summary:
The eventful life of a humble Polish priest who once decried the pomp of the Catholic Church "a circus" and labeled the Pope a "prisoner of the Vatican" before ascending to the papal throne is explored as actor Thomas Kretschmann takes on the role of Pope John Paul II to the man who would usher Catholicism into the 21st century. Born in Poland and forced to carry on following the untimely death of his family, Karol Wojtyla endured both personal hardships and the rape of his homeland by the Third Reich to spread the word of God through the Catholic Church. Later, as Pope John Paul II, Wojtyla was beloved by millions of Catholics worldwide. From the sexual-abuse scandal that shook the American Catholic Church in the later-20th century to the murder of Salvatorian Archbishop Oscar Romero and the near-fatal assassination attempt made on his own life, Pope John Paul II endured to bridge the gap between various faiths until his death resulting from Parkinson's disease in April of 2005.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 250
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Lithuania, USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, captivating
Similar in 78%
Luther (1974)
Plot Summary:
A man's view cause a rift between peasants and the church.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 474
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK, Canada, USA
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: independent film, serious, realistic, contemplative, talky, period drama
Similar in 75%
Francesco (1989)
Plot Summary:
The life of St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) as related by followers who gather after his death to tell stories so that Leone can record them: a privileged and virile youth, a prisoner of war, an heir who turns away from his father and gives all to the poor, a beggar for others, and an inspiration to friends who accept the Gospels' life of poverty. He seeks the Pope's blessing, and he endures persecution at the hands of the family of Chiara Offreduccio (1194-1253), who becomes St. Clare. Many join the order he has established and then rebel at his expectations. In near despair - and ill - he writes a Rule to take to the Pope; then, the Lord sends him a message. He dies smiling.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Italy, West Germany
Duration: 157 min
Plot tags: emotional, bleak, serious, factual, cult classic, christian film, sincere, captivating, realistic, gloomy
Similar in 90%
Peter and Paul (1981)
Plot Summary:
Peter and Paul assume leadership of the Church as they struggle against violent opposition to the teachings of Christ and their own personal conflicts.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 654
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 198 min
Plot tags: biblical, christian film, atmospheric, epic, serious, captivating, realistic, contemplative, spiritual, sexy
Similar in 84%
Francis of Assisi (1961)
Plot Summary:
The story of a lusty, fighting young adventurer who exchanged his sword for a cross.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: christian film, biblical, serious, captivating, realistic, crying, vintage
Similar in 79%
Thérèse (2004)
Plot Summary:
The mesmerizing story of a young girl's romance with God. Her faith, trials, and sacrifices reveal a way of life based on love and simplicity. A contemplative film based on the true story of Saint Therese of Lisieux, the most popular saint of modern times.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 539
Genere: Biography, Drama, Family, History
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: uplifting, emotional, realistic, contemplative, spiritual, serious, captivating, stylized
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John Wycliffe: The Morning Star (1984)
Plot Summary:
This affecting biography chronicles the life and times of prominent European philosopher John Wycliffe, who was the first to translate the Bible into English. The 14th century, Oxford University scholar often found himself caught between opposing theological, political and societal forces: He defended England's autonomy against the pontiff's authority and championed the indigent against the wealthy's abuses.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 160
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 75 min
Plot tags: uplifting, serious, realistic
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Billy: The Early Years (2008)
Plot Summary:
Most of us know Billy Graham as the self-assured and charismatic preacher who became one of the most important figures of 20th Century Christianity. Now, with the release of Billy: The Early Years, we meet Billy as the earnest and promising young man at the crossroads of faith and doubt, ultimately facing the moment of decision that launched one of history’s most powerful evangelistic careers.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 816
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: christian film, serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 78%
Chico Xavier (2010)
Plot Summary:
A biography of spiritual medium and author Francisco Candido Xavier.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Brazil
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, psychological, atmospheric, contemplative, spiritual, esoteric, informative, realistic, disturbing
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The Borgia (2006)
Plot Summary:
A portrait of the bloody dynasty that spawned a pope, Alexander VI, as well as the role model for Machiavelli's "The Prince," his son Cesare Borgia, and a legend of femme duplicity, daughter Lucrezia Borgia.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, History
Country: Spain, Italy
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: captivating, realistic, disturbing, historical drama, costume drama, serious
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Miracle Run (2004)
Plot Summary:
Single mom Corrine discovers that her twins are autistic. She refuses to give up on their potential, even though it seems that the rest of the world has turned its back on them. Thanks to this incredible mother's support, her boys accomplish the unimaginable.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, uplifting, touching
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The Least Among You (2009)
Plot Summary:
Black college graduate Richard Kelly reluctantly accepts a plea bargain requiring him to spend two semesters at an all-white seminary after he's wrongly accused of crimes committed during the 1965 Watts riots. Facing bigotry on all sides, he's close to cracking until he meets an elderly custodian who helps him navigate the trials of racism.
IMDB Rating: 4.5
IMDB Votes: 176
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: uplifting, touching, captivating, emotional, thought provoking, serious, realistic, contemplative, independent film, period piece