Saturday, March 21, 2015

10 Faith-Based Movies

Since Easter is nearly upon us, I thought I’d make a list of faith-based movies for Christians to consider watching.  These are not ranked in any kind of order.

The list
Ben-Hur (1959) – This classic has everything, including a genuine chariot race.  The director once said privately, that it took “a Jew to make a decent movie about Christ.”  Eleven academy awards.


Les Miserables (2012) – The story is Christ-centered, although I wasn’t completely enthralled with the motion picture version, particularly Hollywood’s idea of Heaven—an even bigger barricade with dead soldiers on the ground.  I might prefer Les Miserables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary (2010).

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005) – For those who love the writings of C.S. Lewis.

The Scarlet and the Black (1983) – You’ll love watching Gregory Peck defy the Nazis.

Chariots of Fire (1981) – Eric Liddell keeps the Sabbath during the 1924 Olympics.  Four Academy Awards.

Wide Awake (1998) – M. Night Shyamalan’s first movie.  A 10-year-old, coping with his grandfather’s death, embarks on a mission to find God. 

Amazing Grace (2006) – The campaign against the slave trade in the British Empire and the conversion of John Newton, a slave ship crewman.

Saints and Soldiers (2003) – What if your enemy is someone you converted to Christ?  Based on actual events of LDS (Mormon) soldiers in World War II.  There are two sequels, but this is the best.

Fireproof (2008) – This is about making your marriage work.  As the second of a double-feature, consider Courageous, which is produced in the same spirit as Fireproof. 

Jesus of Nazareth (1977) – This mini-series features an incredible cast.  Some may prefer Son of God (2014).

Bible-based videos about Christ  
If you’re interested in high quality and authentic videos about specific events in the life of Jesus Christ, visit this page.  

Four more movies worth considering
The 10 Commandments (1956), which is much more faith-based than Exodus: Gods and Kings

The Robe (1953) – A Roman soldier who helps crucify Jesus becomes a Christian.

Going My Way (1944) – Bing Crosby plays a singing priest and wins an Academy Award.

A Man for All Seasons (1966) – Watch Sir Thomas More maintain his integrity while under pressure from Henry VIII.  Six academy awards.

Christmas movies
I did not name any Christmas movies in the above list, but three I would include are It’s a Wonderful Life, A Christmas Carol, and The Bishop’s Wife (1947 version). A great Christmas comedy is Elf, although the makers managed to keep religion out of it.

What did I miss? 
Do you have a recommendation?

7 comments:

  1. In a strange way I found THE EXORCIST to be faith-based and faith-affirming albeit in a dark and backhanded sort of way.

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  2. Thanks for the comment. I haven't personally seen the movie myself, but I'm glad you can derive that kind of message from it. Best wishes....

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  3. Other mentions via facebook: Almost an Angel, You Can't Take it With You, and It Happened on 5th Avenue

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  4. Good list. Of more recent movies, I'd add: "Book of Eli", Shyamalan's "Signs", and - as profane as its language is, "Gran Torino". Then there's "The Passion of the Christ". Looking back, no one seems to remember, "The Next Voice You Hear", a unique movie that begs for a remake.

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    1. Rick, thanks for the recommendations. You know "Signs" essentially tells the same story as "Wide Awake"--the central character loses his faith and then regains it.

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  5. Dave, I finally watched "God's Not Dead" and I was pleasantly surprised. It addresses what students are faced with going to universities today. It also exposes the faulty thinking behind a few of the academia arguments against Christianity.

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