Kudos For 'Guadalupe: A Living Image' DVD In Video Librarian Review

The Janson Media DVD Guadalupe: A Living Image (1 x 52') was recommended in a recent review by Video Librarian.The reviewer praises the investigative film and its thorough overview of the facts and theories behind the Miracle of Guadalupe.

&'This beautifully filmed documentary explores the miraculous origins of the image of the Virgin Mary on a peasant"s tilma (cloak), which is displayed today in Mexico City"s Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Backed by dramatic re-enactments, historic documents, and animated maps, the current rector of the church describes how the Virgin appeared to a man named Juan Diego in December 1531, impressing her image upon his garment as a sign to take back to the disbelieving bishop. Assorted experts describe scientific analyses of the imprinted figure: no known type of paint can be detected on the piece, and the fabric not only seems impervious to natural decay, but has also survived exposure to acid and a bomb blast. In addition, stars appearing on the Virgin"s robe coincide with constellations as they appeared in the night sky in December 1531, while under magnification the Virgin"s eyes reveal miniscule forms believed to be historically accurate representations of people alive at the time. The film also looks at a small carved representation of the Virgin known as the Extremadura statue and explains how the culturally important Guadalupe became a major pilgrimage site. Sure to be of interest to believers, Guadalupe also touches on important aspects of Catholic and Mexican history. Recommended.&' Three STARS - Video Librarian

December 1531, Mexico. The Virgin Mary appears to Juan Diego, a humble Indian peasant, but at first, no one believes him. On the Virgin"s request the Indian peasant wraps some Castilian roses in his cloak, or tilma. The roses had mysteriously bloomed on the barren rock at his feet. Juan Diego is given an audience with his Bishop to tell his amazing story, and when he meets the Bishop he opens his cloak to a miraculous scene: the image of the Virgin is impressed upon it. The image is extraordinarily real.

Centuries later, the results of scientific analysis are amazing. In the Virgin"s eyes the thirteen figures who witnessed the miracle are visible. The stars on her cloak are positioned exactly as they were in the skies on the day of miracle, December 12, 1531. No painting technique known to man was used to imprint the image on Juan Diego"s tilma. The colors are vibrant and intact; the cloth itself, uncorrupted by time.

Video Librarian is the video review magazine for public, school, academic, and special libraries, as well as video fans who are interested in a wider variety of titles than what"s found in the average video store. Written by staff, librarians, teachers, and film critics, Video Librarian offers over 225 critical reviews per issue, alerting readers to upcoming new releases of special-interest, documentary, and video movie titles.