old_tractor
Member
Here is a list of some favorite films with Christian themes. I avoided the ones that were obvious choices (Ten Commandments, The Greatest Story Ever Told, et al) and focus on films thought of less as "religious movies".
Hoosiers - America as it once was at its apex. The main theme is redemption. Christianity is shown in the movie to be normal, an important part of the community. Strap, the preacher's son is never ridiculed for his faith, nor is he the butt of jokes by other players (as opposed to contemporary films portraying *any* Christian as a wierdo or kook). Strap is not a very good player, yet when he unexpectedly performs brilliantly in a crucial game, he gives credit to God - "It's the Lord. I feel his strength!" Performances by Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper are excellent. The movie works at many levels - all exceedingly well.
Chariots Of Fire - Brilliant performances abound in this excellent production. The film is centered on two men: devout, Christian, Scottish Eric Liddell whose principled stand not to run in the Olympics on Sunday is contrasted with the win-at-any-cost attitude of jewish Harold Abrahams. Eric Liddell exemplifies Christian ideals in practice, even seeking out his competitor (Abrahams) before a race to offer him best wishes for the race. Eric Liddell became a missionary in China and died in a japanese interment camp during WWII.
CS Lewis: Beyond Narnia - CS Lewis (played by Anton Rodgers) tells his own life story. He honestly discusses his early hardships, his early atheism as well as a frank discussion of his conversion (helped in no small part by his friend and fellow Oxford "don" JRR Tolkien). Enjoyable, frank discussions of hope and despair, faith and doubt, joy and heartbreak.
The Case For Christ - The story of journalist Lee Strobel who, after his wife's conversion, began a journey of discovery - initially to debunk his wife's new faith - that led to his conversion to Christianity and his conclusion that there was indeed "a case for Christ".
We're No Angels - A charming, witty classic with Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray as three escaped convicts who will do anything to escape Devil's Island but "fall in with nice people!" A charming tale of three convicts who are changed one Christmas by being with a good, kind, Christian family. Brilliant performances, witty dialogue and a wonderful theme of changed lives works well in this brilliant and colorful classic. Truly, God works in mysterious ways!
Sergeant York - Starring movie great Gary Cooper, this is the story of a great American Hero, Alvin York. The story centers on York's conversion to Christianty and his courageous acts in WWI. York is the epitome of the great Christian American, possessing noble virtues of a kind not seen in film today and rarely evidenced in America in general.
Peter And Paul - Anthony Hopkins, as Paul, gives his usual excellet performance. Robert Foxworthy gives a creditable performance as Peter. Here, we see crucial questions within the early Church: faith over the Law of Moses, inclusion of gentiles without adherance to Judaic law. Shows the principals honestly. Paul is somtimes a hothead that brooks absolutely no compromise in any way and shows Peter as sometimes doubt ridden and a backslider on serious issues when pressured. Both men persevere to the end and gain victory in Christ.
Hoosiers - America as it once was at its apex. The main theme is redemption. Christianity is shown in the movie to be normal, an important part of the community. Strap, the preacher's son is never ridiculed for his faith, nor is he the butt of jokes by other players (as opposed to contemporary films portraying *any* Christian as a wierdo or kook). Strap is not a very good player, yet when he unexpectedly performs brilliantly in a crucial game, he gives credit to God - "It's the Lord. I feel his strength!" Performances by Gene Hackman and Dennis Hopper are excellent. The movie works at many levels - all exceedingly well.
Chariots Of Fire - Brilliant performances abound in this excellent production. The film is centered on two men: devout, Christian, Scottish Eric Liddell whose principled stand not to run in the Olympics on Sunday is contrasted with the win-at-any-cost attitude of jewish Harold Abrahams. Eric Liddell exemplifies Christian ideals in practice, even seeking out his competitor (Abrahams) before a race to offer him best wishes for the race. Eric Liddell became a missionary in China and died in a japanese interment camp during WWII.
CS Lewis: Beyond Narnia - CS Lewis (played by Anton Rodgers) tells his own life story. He honestly discusses his early hardships, his early atheism as well as a frank discussion of his conversion (helped in no small part by his friend and fellow Oxford "don" JRR Tolkien). Enjoyable, frank discussions of hope and despair, faith and doubt, joy and heartbreak.
The Case For Christ - The story of journalist Lee Strobel who, after his wife's conversion, began a journey of discovery - initially to debunk his wife's new faith - that led to his conversion to Christianity and his conclusion that there was indeed "a case for Christ".
We're No Angels - A charming, witty classic with Humphrey Bogart, Peter Ustinov and Aldo Ray as three escaped convicts who will do anything to escape Devil's Island but "fall in with nice people!" A charming tale of three convicts who are changed one Christmas by being with a good, kind, Christian family. Brilliant performances, witty dialogue and a wonderful theme of changed lives works well in this brilliant and colorful classic. Truly, God works in mysterious ways!
Sergeant York - Starring movie great Gary Cooper, this is the story of a great American Hero, Alvin York. The story centers on York's conversion to Christianty and his courageous acts in WWI. York is the epitome of the great Christian American, possessing noble virtues of a kind not seen in film today and rarely evidenced in America in general.
Peter And Paul - Anthony Hopkins, as Paul, gives his usual excellet performance. Robert Foxworthy gives a creditable performance as Peter. Here, we see crucial questions within the early Church: faith over the Law of Moses, inclusion of gentiles without adherance to Judaic law. Shows the principals honestly. Paul is somtimes a hothead that brooks absolutely no compromise in any way and shows Peter as sometimes doubt ridden and a backslider on serious issues when pressured. Both men persevere to the end and gain victory in Christ.
