True to history, the 12th- and 13th-century Roman Catholic church burned all who denounced allegiance to the pope. As a result, the cathar religion was formed—a heretical religion that denied Christ and the Trinity out of hate for the Catholic church. The templar movement was also developed, a small, but mighty group of devout Christian men who protected others from the Catholic church’s brutal inquisitions.

Magdala Rose tells of honorable templars who refused to take part in the inquisition crusades and secretly housed cathars. Though Christianity and the cathar religions did not agree, templars felt called by the true God to protect the innocent from evil. On the fiction side of this tale, one young woman from a Jewish family is Mary Magdelene’s last descendant, so she carries a special amulet with drops of Christ’s blood. This gift contains Christ’s power to heal, and thus, the templars are also charged to protect her while unlocking the amulet’s secret.

This medieval tale blends fact and fiction with a King Arthur setting, which includes shy romance, bow-and-arrow battles, and all love-and-war feels. However, several references of rape, multiple scenes where characters are burned alive, and a confusing mixture of three religions overshadow the one truth of Christ.

Unfortunately, due to these elements, this film is Not Dove-approved.

The Dove Take

Though themes of nobility hold true, Magdala Rose’s medieval tale weaves a factual
history of violence and heretical religions, overshadowing the Christian faith.