The Radicals
This is a very condensed presentation of this film. Enjoy the full, in-depth story with extensive photos, exclusive behind-
the-scenes images and stories, information of the actual historical characters portrayed in this film, and much more at
The Radicals Movie award winning website.
Many people have commented on the touching love story between Michael and Margaretha, and how well it is
portrayed in this movie. Their scenes are particularly poignant in this film and have a very genuine, warm and
natural feel to them, bringing forth an incredible extra dimension in this moving story.
Two very powerful stories are woven together in the 1990 film The Radicals, directed by Raul Carrera. It is the
biographical account of Michael Sattler who founded the Anabaptist movement around 1525. The other story, one
that is just as apparent, is the story of the absolute love and devotion that Michael and Margaretha Sattler had for
each other. The movie begins by reminding viewers that by 1525 the Roman Catholics had united Europe for over
1000 years and their authority was under attack. Reformation had split Europe into two worlds -- Catholic and
Protestant. Peasants were rebelling against heavy taxes, and Turkish invaders threatened to overrun Europe.
The Radicals is available from Vision Video. Click on the link to go to the Product Page. It is also available on Amazon.
This film covers a very brief period in the lives of spiritual martyrs Michael Sattler, portrayed by
Norbert Weisser, and Margaretha, the beautiful Leigh Lombardi. They broke away from their religious
order, were married and then began a quest to return the church to the morality of its early years
through an Anabaptist movement that only believed in adult baptism by choice. However, to the
Catholic church, a child unbaptised was a child untaxed, which was unacceptable to them. The
Anabaptist efforts resulted in a movement the medieval world wasn't prepared to accept and stood
ready to terminate -- by any means necessary.
After battling the Catholic church and continuing to spread the word of the Anabaptist Movement, Michael is found
guilty of heresy and treason and is burned alive at the stake. Margaretha is drowned in a nearby river. Their message
could not be silenced, and their faith lives on throughout branches of the Mennonites, Baptists and others.
Please enjoy the full presentation of this important film by visiting the website linked above. Full credits and
acknowledgements are listed there. You will also find actor, cast and crew contributed anecdotes and photos, along
with links to print publications related to this film.
The Radicals Movie website is a Platinum Remi Award winner at the Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival.
Michael leaves the Catholic Church and
runs away with Margaretha who leaves her
order so they can be married.
The Anabaptitst are forced to move from
place to place and spread their message
from barns and caves to avoid detection.
There are spies everywhere. Eventually
they are found and many of them are put
up on trial, imprisoned and put to death.
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