Christianity/Bible themed films (for Easter!)

[R, Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel and Barbara Hershey] The life of Jesus Christ, his journey through life as he faces the temptations that all humans face during their lives, and his final temptation upon the cross. Based, not on the Gospels, but on Nikos Kazantzakis' novel of the same name and directed by Martin Scorsese, this caused quite a stir on its initial release, accused of blasphemy and of causing offence to the Christian religion. However, in its depiction of Jesus Christ as a human being rather than a man divine, it gets to the core of his story. This is a man who makes the choice of self-sacrifice for the good of his fellow men, despite the temptations of living a normal life.

[R, Jim Caviezel, Monica Bellucci] The film covers the final 12 hours of Jesus' life, beginning with the Agony in the Garden and ending with a brief depiction of his resurrection, interspersed with flashbacks. The dialogue is entirely in reconstructed Aramaic and Latin with vernacular subtitles. During its theatrical release, it became the highest grossing R-rated film of all time. The film has also been highly controversial and received mixed reviews, with some critics claiming that the extreme violence in the movie 'obscures its message'.

[G, Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson and Yvonne Elliman] Film version of the musical stage play, presenting the last few weeks of Christ's life, told in an anachronistic manner. 'Speaking for the younger generation, I've never seen anything like it. This movie hit theaters 6 years before I was born and I only just saw it now in Nov. 2004. and I was so moved that I had to comment. Visually it was psychedelic, and the editing matches the music masterfully. The music rocks! Carl Anderson is beyond amazing as Judas, and ALL of the performances are really magnetic. I love singing along with Annas, Jesus, and Kiafass. I mostly listen to KoRn and Rap, so I never expected to remember (rock opera) lyrics and run around performing them. The feeling I got when 1st "experiencing" the movie was trippy. Similar to a live concert. The movie is outstanding and in my opinion will last for generations and generations. It speaks to a part of my soul and spirit.'

[PG, Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Goldblum, Danny Glover, Patrick Stewart, Helen Mirren, Steve Martin, Martin Short] 'The Prince of Egypt is a lovingly crafted, engaging piece of cinema. The main characters are well-realized, three-dimensional characters. The focus of the film is the conflict between Ramses and his adopted brother, Moses, set against the backdrop of the epic events in the book of Exodus. The result is a religious tale that treats the oft-ignored human element. Instead of merely relating the tale as it is, the story asks "how would a person *feel* if God appeared to them and told them to do this? How would others react?" The script is light-years beyond any past biblical epic. [...] There are moments when the visual effects made me forget to breathe. If you blink during the parting of the red sea, you'll regret it.'

[PG, Graham Faulkner, Judi Bowker and Leigh Lawson] This is a dramatization of events in the life of St. Francis of Assisi from before his conversion experience through his audience with the pope, including his friendship with St. Clare. 'I would highly recommend this movie to anyone who has doubts based on Roman Catholicism, is mentally upset, seeking inner peace, seminarians, those who have received the Calling & just anyone who would care to take the time to dig up this movie & watch it. This movie has inspired me a lot, more than i can ever imagine, because it compelled me to become a Priest not once, but THRICE!!! This is truly an awesome masterpiece, but can surely be regarded as one of the unsung heroes, where movies are concerned. '

[Approved, Hedy Lamarr, Victor Mature, George Sanders] 'Of all the movies one should have in one's library of Classics, this is one of them. The story is taken directly out of the pages of the Bible and deals with the legendary strong man who was also a Judge of his people. When taken to the big screen, one has to marvel at the beautiful color, historical setting and technical expertise of the time period. The lead of course is played by tall, handsome Victor Mature. His presence adds realism is an honorary tribute to the ancient Danite and makes for a convincing character. The ruler of the Philistines is played by George Sanders who is incredible in his 'King of the Five cities' role. Exactly the right people in the right role. Hedy Lamarr(when she gets it right)is one of the greatest of all time. A truly remarkable person who was also an outstanding scientist. Hedy portrays the very image of a scheming yet stunningly beautiful Delilah.'

[Unrated, Richard Burton, Jean Simmons] Marcellus is a tribune in the time of Christ. He is in charge of the group that is assigned to crucify Jesus. Drunk, he wins Jesus' homespun robe after the crucifixion. He is tormented by nightmares and delusions after the event. Hoping to find a way to live with what he has done, and still not believing in Jesus, he returns to Palestine to try and learn what he can of the man he killed. 'THE ROBE was done at the tail end of the old Hollywood, and has all the Hollywood know-how we've come to expect. Particularly important was the pacing. It's a history lesson and a reverent film but it's also an entertainment. Young Richard Burton, (he was about 28) shows the impressive voice and passionate style that made him a name actor in the next decade, (he was nominated for an Oscar). Jean Simmons is very good and the smaller parts are well cast.'

[Unrated, Andile Kosi, Pauline Malefane] The story of Jesus is reclaimed as an African fable: a simple concept becomes a remarkable cinematic experience in Son of Man. It is a film of a 'best-seller', but nothing is obvious in it; the story as we know it is turned upside down. 'After watching this film you might wish the entire world just watched it with you. I [...] was completely blown away. It tells the story of Jesus Christ in modern day South Africa, and beyond the gut-wrenching day-to-day experiences of these people, the use of colors and music all combine to create a truly amazing film.'

[Not rated, Martin Donovan, P.J. Harvey and Thomas Jay Ryan] The end of the millenium has taken on a certain significance in modern day prophecies. What happens if Jesus Christ has second thoughts about the Apocalypse? It is December 31, 1999 and New Year's Eve takes on new meaning when the Devil, Jesus Christ, and Christ's assistant Magdelina discuss and debate the end of the world, the opening of the seven seals, and the essence of being human.

[Approved, Max von Sydow, Dorothy McGuire and Charlton Heston] 'Given the whole weight of the world being placed on him, Max von Sydow did quite an impressive portrayal of Jesus in this film. I would have to rank this as one of the single greatest performances in cinematic history; his credibility (even with the Swedish accent) in the role is, to me, unimpeachable. Stevens also scored by giving Charlton Heston (no stranger to Biblical epics he) the role of John the Baptist, and it still ranks as one of Heston's best. Telly Savalas, years away from "Kojak", makes for a chilling Pontius Pilate. Claude Rains is a supremely nasty King Herod; and Donald Pleasance, with HALLOWEEN still a decade and a half in his future, makes for a deliciously unpleasant Satan.'

[Not rated, written and directed by Luis Buñuel; Runtime: 45 min] The ascetic Simón believes he is a sinner and decides to self-inflict a sacrifice, living like a hermit on the top of a pedestal in the middle of the desert to be closer to God and resist the temptations of the world. His followers are peasants and travelers that believe that Simón is a saint capable of performing miracles and they crowd to hear his speeches. However, Satan tries to tempt him with the pleasures of the world.

[Not rated, written and directed by Luis Buñuel] Viridiana, a young nun about to take her final vows, pays a visit to her widowed uncle at the request of her Mother Superior.

[Rated: M, written and directed by Luis Buñuel] Two drifters go on a pilgrimage from France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Along the way, they hitchhike, beg for food, and face the Christian dogmas and heresies from different Ages.

[Not rated, written and directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini] The life of Jesus Christ according to the Gospel of Matthew. Pasolini shows Christ as a marxist avant-la-lettre and therefore uses half of the text of Matthew.

[Not rated, Robert Loggia, Bruce Marchiano, Laurence Fuller] The film portrays Saint Peter (Loggia) reflecting on his time with Jesus (Marchiano) and his fellow Apostles during his final imprisonment in Rome. In particular, Peter attempts to convert one of his jailers, Martinian (Fuller), by relating the life, teachings, and sacrifice of Jesus.

[Approved, Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd] When Prince Judah Ben-Hur hears that his childhood friend Messala has been named to command the Roman garrison of Jerusalem, he is thrilled. He soon finds, however, that his friend has changed and has become an arrogant conqueror, full of the grandeur of Rome. When Judah refuses to divulge the names of Jews who oppose Roman rule, Messala decides to make an example of him and sends him off as a galley slave. Through fate and good fortune, Judah survives the galleys and manages to return to Jerusalem in the hopes of finding his mother and sister, who were also imprisoned, and to seek revenge against his one-time friend.

[Approved, directed by Cecil B. DeMille, starring Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter] The Egyptian Prince, Moses, learns of his true heritage as a Hebrew and his divine mission as the deliverer of his people.

[Not Rated, Anthony Quinn, Silvana Mangano, Arthur Kennedy] Barabbas, the criminal that Pontius Pilate induced the populace to vote to set free, so that Christ could be crucified, is haunted by the image of Jesus for the rest of his life.

[R, Lothaire Bluteau, Catherine Wilkening, Johanne-Marie Tremblay] A group of actors putting on an interpretive Passion Play in Montreal begin to experience a meshing of their characters and their private lives as the production takes form against the growing opposition of the Catholic church.