When audiences think of Cary Elwes, the first role that likely comes to mind is the dashing hero Westley from the beloved film The Princess Bride. However, one of Elwes’ most powerful and transformative performances is his portrayal of the young Karol Wojtyla, the man who would later become Pope John Paul II, in the 2005 biographical film Karol: A Man Who Became Pope. Through his brilliant acting, Elwes brings to life the formative years and struggles of this iconic spiritual leader.
The film, directed by Giacomo Battiato, chronicles Wojtyla’s journey from his youth in Poland during World War II through his years as a young priest and bishop up until his election as the first non-Italian pope in over 400 years. Elwes had the daunting task of depicting Wojtyla’s early adulthood, capturing the future pope’s intensity, passion for the church, deep spirituality and also his innate charisma and relatability.
Elwe’s Mesmerising Appearance in The Film
From the moment Elwes appears on screen as the 18-year-old Wojtyla, he fully embodies the young man’s boundless energy and enthusiasm. His eyes sparkle with curiosity and determination as his character navigates the horrors of life in Nazi-occupied Poland. Despite the darkness surrounding him, Elwes’ Wojtyla remains resilient and deeply devoted to his faith and his community.
One of the most powerful scenes is when the young Wojtyla is forced to take a job in a quarry under the Nazi regime. Elwes’ physical transformation is remarkable as he appears rail-thin and weary, his body showing the brutal toll of hard labor. Yet his eyes continue to burn with an inner light, a strength of spirit that cannot be extinguished. Elwes’ emaciated physique and anguished expressions are haunting, driving home the suffering and injustice Wojtyla persevered through.
The Storyline of the Film
As the film progresses and Wojtyla pursues his calling to the priesthood, Elwes lets the innate leadership qualities of the future pope shine through. In scenes studying in an underground seminary, there is a clear presence and moral authority to his Wojtyla that commands attention and reverence from those around him. Elwes makes sure to also imbue the character with warmth, humor, and humility in his interactions with his fellow seminarians.
One of the most meaningful relationships Elwes brings to life is the deep spiritual bond between Wojtyla and the philosophy professor portrayed by Raoul Bova. There is a beautiful subtlety to the scenes between the two, a profound give-and-take as the teacher instructs his star pupil and is in turn inspired by Wojtyla’s insights and devotion. The understated moments shared between Elwes and Bova are some of the film’s most powerful.
As Wojtyla’s evolution continues from priest to bishop to cardinal, Elwes ensures there is strength and wisdom beyond his character’s years. While his Wojtyla is socially skilled and even playful at times with the children around him, Elwes also lets glimpses of the character‘s loneliness emerge. In these moments, you can see the weight of responsibility Wojtyla is learning to shoulder as a leader in the church.
Acting Mastery of Elwes
It’s a credit to Elwes’ masterful performance that as his character ages, the authenticity never wavers. As an older Wojtyla preparing for the papal conclave that will elect him as John Paul II, Elwes fully inhabits the man’s quiet confidence, self-assuredness and serenity. In the film’s final scenes of the new pope appearing on the Vatican balcony, you can see the totality of Wojtyla’s journey reflected in Elwes’ eyes and bearing – the struggles, sacrifices, spiritual evolution, and ultimate triumph.
Through his total immersion into the role, Elwes takes the audience on a profound journey. He allows them to truly understand the essential experiences, both uplifting and devastating, that shaped the young man who would become one of the world’s most influential moral leaders of the 20th century. Elwes makes us appreciate the full value of Wojtyla’s life before the papacy – the foundational events, relationships, and hard-earned wisdom that gave such resonance and substance to John Paul II’s words and bearing as pope.
Depicting the life of a figure as beloved and culturally vital as John Paul II was an incredible challenge, but one that Elwes met with sensitivity, depth, and a striking emotional authenticity. While his turn as the dashing Westley in The Princess Bride will forever be iconic, with his portrayal of Karol Wojtyla, Elwes showed the full range of his abilities as a talented and immersive actor.
For those unfamiliar with Karol: A Man Who Became Pope, Elwes’ soulful and physically stunning work deserves to be