Summary
Filmmaking and spirituality have gone together since the birth of cinema, and over the years, some truly awe-inspiringChristian movieshave been released. From retellings of biblical stories to more modern narratives that were imbued with Christian ideology, films have long been a place where actors, directors, and writers have examined probing theological questions that got right to the heart of why faith and belief have been so instrumental in the lives of countless people. These releases acted as celebrations and investigations into theology, as the medium became a vessel for artists' spiritual yearnings.
The greatest Christian movies ever released included some of thebest movies of the silent eraright up to recent releases by acclaimed auteur directors. While some were controversial for their excessive depictions of violence or for showcasing Jesus’s life in a way that audiences were not comfortable with, they all had something vital to say about the nature of belief among Christians and religious people.The best Christian movies ever made represented the essence of cinema’s enduring power to illuminate humanity’s need for meaning, purpose, and something to believe in.
The Passion Of Joan Of Arc
Cast
The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) is a silent film that portrays the trial of Joan of Arc, delving into her intense emotions and spiritual resilience. Directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer, the film is renowned for its stark cinematography and the powerful performance by Maria Falconetti, capturing the profound and harrowing experience of one of history’s most iconic figures.
The Passion of Joan of Arcwas among the finest silent films ever produced, which tackled themes of faith and the unquestionable drive of those who believed they carried out the will of God. While not overtly biblical, this film by Danish director Carl Th. Dreyer explored Joan of Arc’s belief that she was on a mission from God to drive the English out of France. Based on the actual records of Joan’s trial,The Passion of Joan of Arcwas a masterpiece of the silent erathat has maintained its power almost a century after its release.
As one of the few films highlighted by the Vatican for its importance (via US Conference of Catholic Bishops,)The Passion of Joan of Arcwas described by the Vatican’s film list as “the most convincing portrayal of spirituality on celluloid.” As a powerful representation of the inner struggle between human frailties and spiritual strength, Renée Jeanne Falconetti’s portrayal of Joan captured the deeply sacrificial nature of the Patron Saint of France’s story. More so than almost any other film,The Passion of Joan of Archighlighted the enduring relevance of cinema’s silent era.
Ben-Hur
Ben-Hur (1959) is an epic historical drama directed by William Wyler, starring Charlton Heston in the titular role. Set during the time of Christ, the story follows Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince who is betrayed and enslaved by his childhood friend. The film is renowned for its chariot race scene and earned eleven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
As a grand religious epic,Ben-Hurwas among the most iconic religious films ever produced. It told the story of a betrayed Jewish prince sent into slavery in 1st century Jerusalem. As one ofCharlton Heston’s best movies,Ben-Hurwas an extraordinary story and a grand production full of epic battle sequences that utilized over 200 camels, 2,500 horses, and appropriately 10,000 extras, which made its chariot racing sequence amongthe most expensive scenes of all time.
Ben-Hurwas an extraordinary success that became the second highest-grossing movie ever made at the time andtook home a record 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Heston.Ben-Hurwas notable for its portrayal of the earliest days of Christianity as it showcased Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount and eventual crucifixion. As a perfect blend of incredible spectacle and religious resonance,Ben-Hurwas a smash success.
The Last Temptation of Christ
The life of Jesus Christ, his journey through life as he faces the struggles all humans do, and his final temptation on the cross.
While themes of faith and belief had always been integral to the work of Martin Scorsese, they were never more prevalent than when he releasedThe Last Temptation of Christ. As a highly ambitious and controversial project, the depiction of Willem Dafoe as Jesus of Nazareth engaging in sexual acts led to outrage from Christian groups, who described the film as blasphemous. However,The Last Temptation of Christwas intended as a fictional exploration of spiritual conflictrather than a faithful representation of the Gospels.
It’s easy to understand why some Christian viewers were outraged byThe Last Temptation of Christ, as its depiction of the human side of Jesus’s struggles was unlike anything else previously shown on film. However, at its core, the message ofThe Last Temptation of Christhighlighted just how difficult Jesus’s sacrifice was for him and truly showcased the emotional turmoil it took for him to rid humanity of original sin. For viewers willing to feel uncomfortable,The Last Temptation of Christwas a heartfelt reflection on the complexities of faith and the realities of Jesus’s life story.
Jesus Christ Superstar
Film version of the musical stage play, presenting the last few weeks of Christ’s life told in an anachronistic manner.
Jesus Christ Superstarwas a unique retelling of the conflict between Judas Iscariot and Jesus Christ, presented as a rock opera musical complete with creative songs by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber. Originally a concept album and then a popular stage show, this 1973 adaptation explored the emotions and motivations during the week of the crucifixion of Jesus. With Ted Neeley in the title role and Carl Anderson as Judas,Jesus Christ Superstarwas a fresh way to explore faith on film.
However, not everyone was impressed by this musical version of the Gospel’s stories, as some religious groups spoke out against the film and said its non-inclusion of Jesus’s resurrection made it a work of blasphemy. Despite this,Pope Paul VI reportedly loved the filmand told the director of his belief that it would “bring more people around the world to Christianity” (viaCleveland Plain Dealer.)Jesus Christ Superstarhas endured for more than 50 years as a work that continues to captivate and provoke viewers with the power of its incredible music.
First Reformed
First Reformed is a drama film directed by Paul Schrader. Ethan Hawke stars as Reverend Ernst Toller, a pastor at a small, historic church in upstate New York. As Toller grapples with his faith, personal trauma, and the state of the world, he is drawn into a crisis of existential proportions. The film explores themes of despair, redemption, and the climate crisis with a contemplative and somber tone.
The work of director Paul Schrader has never shied away from the darker sides of faith and belief, and perhaps his most spiritual directed work was the Ethan Hawke movieFirst Reformed. This psychological thriller explored a minister in a small upstate New York congregation grappling with despair, tragedy, a world in chaos, and a tormented past. AsReverend Ernst Toller sought solace through the comfort of his faith and religion, he found it increasingly difficult to overcome his personal crisis.
First Reformedwas a work of deep religious searching that highlighted spiritual themes with the level of depth and seriousness these ideas deserved. Hawke delivered one of his very best performances as existential woe pervaded every scene. As Reverend Toller quoted the work of the Trappist monk Thomas Merton throughoutFirst Reformed,he channeled the deep spiritual longing of those looking to find meaning in a world full of pain and, in the process, showcased why the faithful can gain contentment through Christianity even in the most trying of times.
The Prince of Egypt
Egyptian Prince Moses learns of his identity as a Hebrew and his destiny to become the chosen deliverer of his people.
The highly ambitious Dreamworks animated filmThe Prince of Egyptadapted the Old Testament’sBook of Exodusto tell the story of Moses’ life from being the prince of Egypt to one of God’s chosen prophets. With a style that could appeal to kids and deeply impressive animation, music, and voice work, the film grossed $218 million worldwide and became the most successful non-Disney animated movie ever (viaBox Office Mojo.) By retelling Moses’ story in a way that could be enjoyed by all audiences,The Prince of Egyptstood out as among the best movies in Dreamswork’s entire catalog.
The Prince of Egypthas continued to receive praise in the years since its release and was described bySyfyas the greatest animated movie of all time in a retrospective review for its 20th anniversary. From its portrayal of Moses speaking with God’s voice through the burning bush to incredible songs like “When You Believe,”The Prince of Egyptsucceeded in presenting its biblical tale through animation. Full of symbolism and rife with means, Dreamworks knocked it out of the park withThe Prince of Egypt.
The Ten Commandments
Moses, raised as a prince of Egypt in the Pharaoh’s household, learns of his true heritage as a Hebrew and his divine mission as the deliverer of his people from slavery.
The Ten Commandmentswas an extraordinary retelling of the biblical life of Moses as he led the Exodus to Mount Sinai and received God’s holy message. WithCharlton Heston as Moses and Yul Brynner as the Egyptian Pharoah Rameses, this big-budget religious epic featured one of the largest exterior sets ever created for a film (viaLife), and its grand scope pushed the boundaries of contemporary cinema. At the time of its release,The Ten Commandmentswas the most expensive film ever made and acted as the culmination of the life’s work of director Cecil B. DeMille.
Through groundbreaking special effects rendered in impressive Technicolor,The Ten Commandmentslooked spectacular as it told its religious tale. With a powerful story that walked the fine line between enthralling entertainment and religious resonance, Heston excelled in his role as he portrayed both human and mythical dimensions of Moses’ character. From the parting of the Red Sea to God speaking through the burning bush,The Ten Commandmentswas a cinematic marvel to behold.
The Gospel According to St. Matthew
The life of Jesus Christ according to the Gospel of Matthew.
From the Nativity to the Resurrection,The Gospel According to St. Matthewdepicted the life of Jesus Christ with a level of poetic artistry never previously seen on screen. From Italian director Pier Paolo Pasolini, this was an effective rendition of Jesus’ story based on the Gospel of Matthew, which Pasolini said he chose because “John was too mystical, Mark too vulgar, and Luke too sentimental” (viaIFI.) Through the neorealist tradition,The Gospel According to St. Matthewfeatured non-professional actors and felt all the more real because of it.
The Gospel According to St. Matthewwas praised by Christian groups, and the legendary Russian director even spoke about his admiration for the film (viaNostalghia.) With dialogue taken directly from the Gospel, Pasolini’s imagery helped bring this religious story to life in a way that highlighted the profound religious potential of filmmaking. While so many religious epics utilized grand set pieces to highlight the impact of their stories,The Gospel According to St. Matthewlet its words and imagery speak for themselvesas a simple yet profound meditation on the life of Jesus.
The Passion of the Christ
The Passion of the Christ is a dramatic retelling of the final twelve hours of Jesus of Nazareth’s life, depicting his crucifixion in vivid detail. Directed by Mel Gibson, the film is noted for its intense portrayal of Jesus’s suffering and sacrifice, aiming to present an authentic and profound account based on the New Testament.
The Passion of the Christwas an intense andcontroversial depiction of the final 12 hours of the life of Jesus of Nazareth. From director Mel Gibson and with Jim Caviezel in the titular role, the brutality with which Jesus’s crucifixion and death were shown led the film to be rated R due to its extreme violence and emotionally draining content. However, the brutal nature was praised by some Christian groups for showcasing the heartbreaking reality of Jesus’s sacrifice in a way most viewers had never encountered before.
AlthoughThe Passion of the Christreceived criticism for historical and biblical accuracy, allegations of antisemitism, and excessive violence, the film also stood as the highest-grossing Christian film of all time. With a worldwide gross of $611 million (viaBox Office Mojo,) viewers turned out in droves to witness this challenging film. After many years of speculation surrounding the possibility of a sequel focused on the resurrection, Gibson confirmed that afollow-up titledThe Passion of the Christ: Resurrectionwas in the works.
Silence
Silence is a historical drama movie based on Shūsaku Endō’s 1966 novel of the same name. It was directed by Martin Scorsese and tells the story of two seventeenth-century missionaries who travel to Japan to track down their missing mentor. Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver play the leads, with Liam Neeson starring as Jesuit missionary Cristóvão Ferreira.
With a filmography full of deep ruminations on the nature of faith, director Martin Scorsese truly outdid himself with the release ofSilence. Based on the novel by Shūsaku Endō,Silencetold the story of 17th-century Jesuit priests spreading Catholic Christianity in Edo period Japan. As a long-timepassion project for Scorsese that was 25 years in the making,Silencewas a far cry from the gangster movies he became known for as it grappled with themes of faith, doubt, and God’s willingness to allow for a world full of suffering.
AlthoughSilencebombed at the box office, it was an artistic success for Scorsese and stood as one of the most interesting films in the latter part of his career. With incredible performances from Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, and Liam Neeson, this was an insightful look at spirituality, humanity, and the profound influence of Catholicism across the globe. It remains to be seen ifScorsese’s upcoming Jesus moviecan live up to these lofty standards, but ifSilencewas anything to go by it will surely be a triumph.
Sources:Cleveland Plain Dealer,Box Office Mojo(The Prince of Egypt),Syfy,Life,IFI,Nostalghia,Box Office Mojo(The Passion of the Christ)
