MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Viacom's broadcast network CBS will present a distinct mixture of star-studded and high concept movies and miniseries in the 2005-2006 season, as well as three new presentations from Hallmark Hall of Fame.
One mini series in the pipeline is Pope John Paul II. It looks at the Pontiff's 26 year reign and his papal odyssey that covered more than 120 countries and earned him the reputation of an international fighter for freedom. The script was supervised by historians at the Vatican, and exclusive footage has been filmed for the mini-series on St. Peter's Square and surrounding areas
It will begin with Karol Wojtyla's journey from his youth in Poland through his late days on the chair of St. Peter. It will also explore the 264th Pope's fascinating life behind the scenes: how he managed to touch the hearts of millions of people and change the face of the church and the world; how he defended the dignity of mankind against all kinds of Totalitarianism from Nazism to Communism to consumerism; and who successfully related to people of all ages.
One film that will air is Time Bomb (working title and not be confused with Zee's show). This is a thriller about a threat received by Homeland Security during a big football game, claiming the stadium in Washington, D.C. is rigged to explode during the fourth quarter.
Another film that will air is Mayday and is based on the bestseller by Nelson DeMille. This is a thriller in which chaos and death engulf an airliner traveling from the US to Tokyo when it is accidentally hit by a US Navy test missile. Because of the sudden change in cabin pressure from a gaping hole in the fuselage, many passengers are lost and a weekend pilot is forced to take control of the plane and try to navigate it to safety.
The three Hallmark Hall of Fame presentations include The Water Is Wide. Alfre Woodard and Frank Langella star in a drama about an idealistic young teacher of poor black children who lives on a small isolated island off the coast of South Carolina in 1969
