Teilhard: Visionary Scientist was first broadcast in May 2024, on Maryland Public Television (MPT), with a subsequent broadcast in July, followed by broadcast on Washington DCās PBS station WETA Metro in October 2024. In the meantime it was released for national streaming on the free PBS app. A direct link makes the film accessible internationally as well as in the U.S. To date more than 30,000 viewers have watched the film.
The response to the film has been extraordinary. Hundreds of viewers have responded with emails expressing gratitude for the film, and often stating how much it means to them. What follows is a small sample of excerpts from those emails.
I am writing to let you know how simply perfect your film on Teilhard is. I feel that you’ve captured the essence of his humanity and the power of his ideas, and you placed that in the context of our times. The narrative unfolded beautifully and dramatically. ~Christine Tracy, Denver
I found it riveting, moving, beautifully done.Ā Thank you for all you poured into this piece of art/history/scienceā¦.. ~Nelda Hernandez, Milwaukee
This superb documentary surveying the life and thought of Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, the Jesuit priest and paleontologist, has arrived in time for the seventieth anniversary commemoration of his death on Easter Sunday, 1955. ~Stephen Schloesser, SJ, Chicago, for Catholic Historical Review
I thought it was marvelous. The photography is very sophisticated and your narrative is compellingly clear. I learned much about Teilhard’s inner life as you bring us through various critical periods. But most of all his deep spirituality shines through and is arresting. So well done my friends. Thank you for this permanent record of a truly exemplary Christian. ~Roger Haight, SJ, New York City
This movie is brilliantā¦ I canāt tell how much I enjoyed how the storyline, footage, musicā¦AMAZING. Apart from the outstanding production value, the content is deep, yet approachable and rich with history and great footages from different countries and a compelling story of a passionate man who was recognized internationally yet felt rejected by his own people. ~George Makeen, Cyprus
I’m at a loss for words adequate to its excellence. “Teilhard: Visionary Scientist” is exactly what so many of us who find deep wisdom in Teilhard’s life and work have longed to see, presented in an intelligent, informed, professional, and artistic way. ~Donald Viney, Pittsburgh
The Teihard documentary is beautifully done and so informative. It will make a lot be open to considering how science can help us put the whole of human experience into perspective. ~Bill Joseph
So beautifully done! Totally gripping! So wide in scope and imagery, so rich in information! A fantastic piece of work! Thank you so much for your great effort and congratulations on your superb creativity! ~Hilda Gerghty, Dublin
I was deeply moved. To have all these images and text curated in one place, for two precious hours, will be a great gift to both those who know and love Teilhard’s thought already and for future generations who will discover it. ~Brian Paulson, SJ, Washington, DC
You have made a remarkable contribution to furthering attention and serious study of Teilhardās thought with your film. ~John Grim and Mary Evelyn Tucker, Yale University
The film on Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin is a masterpiece!. Your ability to condense Fr. Teilhard de Chardinās long, richly intellectual, scientific and spiritual life into an absorbing film story is a monumental artistic achievement. ~Frank Butler, Reston, VA
I’m in awe. I cried at the end; not just because of the profound life of Teilhard but also because of your gift to his legacy through making such a beautiful and important film.
I had to pause the movie a few times just to think, take pictures of quotes or write things down. I’ve deeply struggled with my Catholic faith in the last few years and yet this was such a great reminder of how we can be faithful and yet challenge the church and how the world is presented to us through it’s lens. ~Raechael Schwaller, Helena, Montana
Following a text message from Michael Unland, the Director of CAMECO, I watched your documentary film about Teillard de Chardin last Friday. I am thrilled! What research work, what a composition of archive images and interviews, what a brilliant film. I was able to learn a lot from your film, even though I thought I knew a little about Teillhard. Thank you very much for this great film. ~Theo Peporte, Luxembourg
āIf you already know Teilhard, this film is for you. If you don’t know Teilhard, this film is for you.ā ~Therese Bertsch, Sayville, NY
Just wanted to say how very grateful I am personally to have watched your film. It was clearly a labor of love and has expanded my understanding of how his life and his thought evolved. His vision is so needed in our world today. ~Daniel Misleh, ZOOM Call
Thank you for all your hard work and perseverance in producing this wonderful movie about Teilhard. I loved it and will no doubt watch it again and share the links with friends. ~Carol Rohloff, CSJ
What a superb cinematic achievement! You both did the life & thought of Teilhard a great honor. The show is comprehensive, very informative, & provocative. ~H. James Birx, Budapest
The truth portrayed in this film is deeply touching, sometimes tears. ~Gail Waring, Australia
Thank you so much for your inspiring documentary. Until today, I knew very little about Teilhard, his personal life, his single view of science AND religion. Everything about it is a work of art, and a work of love — yours. ~Virginia Oehler, Washington, DC
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to view the movie yesterday. I believe it will have a lasting impact on my life. ~Mary Cahill, Washington, DC
I just finished viewing your magnificent film. The visuals are stunning and so insync with the message as well as narratively exciting. Your script is so clear, warm, informative, and emotionally gripping. It is for me a great synthesis of what I have come to understand from my delving into Teilhard’s works. ~Michael Sala, SJ, New York City
Moved beyond measure, I have just experienced an elevation of thought and deep spirituality. Your concentration of 13 years on the man, the priest, the scientist, the rejected and depressed is a masterpiece. ~Jacqueline Francois, New York
This film is absolutely stunning. On more than one occasion, it brought tears to my ears. What a man, what a vision, what a film. Thank you for doing this. ~Peg Bartel, Alexandria, VA
It is gorgeous, very captivating and beautiful. ~Elena Ignatieva, St. Petersburg, Russia
We have spent a wonderful evening watching your film. It is a triumph. We think it is a beautiful, very interesting, film that eloquently presents this magnificent man whose insights and visions are so very right for the contemporary world. What a gift you both have created. ~Jane and Greg Moore, Darwin, Australia
I love what I see. You both have done an inspired and overwhelmingly beautiful tribute of love. It stands for me a magnificant testimony to your love of the man and your love of each other. the work you have done together to touch the things that touched and shaped his life are now shared with us. ~Thomas OāLeary, Pennsylvania
This is a great achievement and this will go into history. i am sure God will bless you both abundantly for this wonderful contribution to the society. ~Dr. Magimai Pragasam, India
Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations! What an accomplishment. And all I can say is WOW! You document so well the frustrating journey that he had to present his vision that must, and still needs to even more, establish a base for future theological thinking. I particularly appreciate the emphasis on the place of women in the development and maturing of his ideas. ~Jesse Wright, Florida
There is only one word to describe it: ‘PHEONOMENAL”. It was worth the thirteen years of their dedicated work and research. I will be sharing this with some of the priests here at the Villa and some of the Sisters of Mercy with whom I serve on one of their university Board of Trustees. ~Fr. Jack Benkik, Scranton, PA
W E L L D O N E ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Very beautiful and we had quite a discussion afterwards about Spirit/Matter/Evolution/Us. Leellen said, āhow come we donāt get this in our sermons at church?ā And the truth is, sheās right. We DONāT hear priests/pastors particularly integrating science and religion in their preaching. THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL GIFT OF A FILM!!!! ~Marjorie Suchocki, Dallas, TX
We watched your film last night and time went by sooo quickly!! Congratulations to You & Mary for making such an extraordinary documentary on Teilhard. What we loved??? The fact that you were able to combine Teilhard de Chardin chronological life with his mystical progression as well as his demons in a very accurate and simple manner. Your movie looks like a universal tale intertwined with love, loss, struggle, passion…. ~Marie Reltien, Paris, France
This documentary is exceptionally excellent for multiple reasons.
I learned so much about Teilhardās life as it flowed. ā¦
I felt so much about what Teilhard endured and contributed. I felt his relationships with the church and with science very deeply as I have my own history of similar situations. ā¦
I enjoyed the way the film pulled me into situations as if I were actually there. The photos, videos, personal accounts and readings were all treasures shared. ā¦
When I move forward to read more of Teilhardās works, I know with this new framework of his life experiences and beliefs, I will be able to reach deeper and with even greater gratitude for what he has contributed.
When I move forward to read more of Teilhardās works, I know with this new framework of his life experiences and beliefs, I will be able to reach deeper and with even greater gratitude for what he has contributed. ~Betty Luceigh
I expected to be engaged in watching your film, but I was literally transfixed. I thought I had a sense of who Teilhard was, but my awareness was woefully inadequate. What an accomplishment! ~Bruce Pfeffer, Washington, DC
