WHAT FILMS HAVE IMPACTED YOU THE MOST IN A SPIRITUAL WAY?

Thanks to John Schuurman for suggesting this project.

1999 postings
2000 postings
2001 postings

A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
Subject: Spiritual Impact of a movie
Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2002
From: Blake

Greetings,
Without a doubt the biggest spiritual impact of any movie I have ever seen is "A Man For All Seasons" about the life of St. Thomas More....winner of several academy awards including best picture (1966?), and now hard to find at any video store.
Blake

CHRIS'S LIST OF SPIRITUAL FILMS
Subject: Top Films
Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2001
From: Chris Utley

Star Wars: you must be blind if you can't see the correlation between the Force and the Holy Spirit. The Matrix: enough has already been said about this one. let's see what the sequels have to bring us.

Chocolat: ...or When God Doesn't Look Like The God THE CHURCH Told Me About. a poignant essay on the freedom the Holy Spirit has to offer...if we're willing to receive it.

Good Will Hunting: Matt Damon meets Robin Williams and gets something he never had: unconditional love and GRACE. this film is healing for the soul. an excellent portrayal of how Jesus loves us even when we don't love ourselves.

Dogma: it took a secular film to make Jesus look cool. i'll take this over Left Behind and Omega Code anyday!

there's a lot more...but i'm drawing a blank right now. as i remember the others, i'll post them.
Chris Utley

PLENTY OF MOVIES WITH A SPIRITUAL MESSAGE
Date: Sat, 1 Sep 2001
From: "Todd"

High I've got plenty of films that have spiritual messages.

1 Speed = a bomber on the loose because of greed and God sends a police officer as a deliverer .

2 Thumbelina= faith and friends

3 Gremlins 1 & 2 = Cute & fluffy creatures turn out to be nightmarish creatures that plague the area like a disease because of disobedience but at the end there was deliverance.

4 Powder= an abnormal person with advanced abilities and wisdom finds friends and enemies and even helps his enemies.

5 star wars "all" Justice, loyalty, endurance, changing lives, and ect.

6 T.M.N.T= Justice seekers fight the bad guys and help the victims

K FRIES TOP FILMS
Subject: My Top Films
Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2001
From: KFries

I love the Ted Turner Films.
David stands out above the other films.

Forrest Gump,

Life Is Beautiful

Jesus (CBS).

Jesus of Nazirith.

Extreme Days (soon to be realesed).

Untamed Heart.

Empire Of The Sun.

A Sure Thing.

I know there are more but I can't think of them right now.

PATTY'S FAVORITES
Subject: favorite films that impacted my life.
Date: Wed, 11 Jul 2001
From: Patty

Ben Hur The transforming power of love..and the difference Christ makes in a life

Driving Miss Daisy I think Morgan Freeman showed a true Christian in every since of the word....his humility and his loyalty and pure love. People that walk like that change the world in ways they never really realize.

Amistad... a powerful evangelistic message in the midst of a tragic enslavement and hardship. Effected me greatly...

To Kill a Mockingbird - a very human and powerful lesson in judging someone wrongly and right prevailing against seeminly insurmountable odds...the kind of lawyer everyone would hope to have defending them.

Braveheart- One of the most powerful films I have ever seen..Mel Gibson was much like King David. Being of Scottish ancestry..this movie affected me deeply in ways that I can't even express. A very human and very courageous battle for Justice and Freedom.

CLIFF'S TOP FILMS
Subject: top spiriual films
Date: Sun, 20 May 2001
From: Cliff

hi, cliff from clearwater,

greatest story ever told
the rapture
l ady in white
ben hur
the prophecy
the prophecy II
exorcist
exocist III
the robe
ten commandments
excaliber
lost souls

RHUESEL COLES'S TOP FILMS
Subject: My top Spiritual Films
Date: Tue, 8 May 2001
From: Rhuesel Cole

The Matrix
This film displays How a people were waiting for the coming of the ONE (Neo). How he was baptized, borned again, filled with the spirit, Killed (crucified) Resurrected and defeated the enemy through his resurrection. He also provided a way for man to be aware of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and to join on with him to Zion.

Shindler's List
How so much alike many people are through oppression and hateful spirits? How it takes just one person to get tired of the ugliness and to step forward and stop it.

PAUL HART'S TOP FILMS
Subject: my top spiritual films
Date: Wed, 02 May 2001
From: Paul Hart
Please post my email... hartp@imagegroup.com

There are only two movies I can think of that have influenced me spiritually in a positive way.

Shawshank Redemption At a particularly lonely period in my life, I watched this movie alone in the theatre. It changed my life presently, and even for years afterward. The Biblical insight? Grace.

Shadowlands This movie speaks for itself... A great movie about an incredible love story. The best part of the movie was the scene in the barn in the rain where Joy (Debra Winger) says to the hopeless Lewis (Anthony Hopkins), 'The joy we experience now is part of the pain we experience later.' In a negative way, one movie overwhelmed me.

Pleasantville What a disturbing reflection of our society. For days after I saw this, it was present in the forefront of my mind. I was just so taken with the thought that our society was at this point of hopelessness, for someone once told me that movies and television are just a reflection of our society. Is there any hope?

-- Paul Hart | The Image Group | Integrated Media | Interface Designer

KYLE'S TOP TEN
Subject: My_blank_Films
Date: Tue, 01 May 2001
From: Kyle

1. Dead Man Walking - best display of radical grace I've ever seen

2. Shadowlands - CS Lewis's story of his first love -

3. Jesus Matthew - Loved it and the script is exactly the book of Matthew from the NIV

4. Prince Of Egypt - powerful movie of God's power and promises

5. Jesus - some great moments in that movie showing his humanity, pretty well done

6. Amistad - wow - what a powerful film

7. Life Is Beautiful - an unbelievable depiction of the holocaust and hope in the midst of it

8. It's A Wonderful Life - quite a moral story and simple message

9. The Mission - neat story of bringing the love of Christ to indians, unfortunately the church had to mess it all up

10. Chariots of Fire - a movie that impacted culture without question, great film

MARKS TEN TOP FILMS
Subject: My_blank_Films
Date: Tue, 24 Apr 2001
From Mark near Sacramento.

1. Marvin's Room. I doubt that the filmmaker was trying to make a Christian film, but the difference between the Diane Keaton character (who gives herself away completely and finds love and joy) and' Meryl Streep character (who is desperately trying to get out of life what little joy she can and resenting everyone who tries to take a piece of her) is as powerful as any sermon on the theme of "he who tries to save his life will lose, but he who loses his life for my sake will gain it back again."

2. Chocolat. I know, I know. The producer meant to show Christians as narrow, lifeless, joyless, even dead (think of the statue) people, while the pagan lady who doesn't attend church and celebrate spring rather than easter is the bringer of life. Whatever he meant, it is a beautiful picture of law and grace, pharisees and Jesus, bondage and freedom. death and life. God is the giver of every good and perfect gift. He is the giver of life and all things good. It was (and is) the religously self righteous who are opposed to God. Jesus spent far less time scolding the sinners than he did scolding those who thought they were not sinners. Just like this movie.

3. Tender Mercies. Is Robert Duvall a Christian?I loved "The Apostle." Tender Mercies is more subtle. God's sovereign grace pervades the film.

4. Amistad. Catch those clipper ship masts and crossbeams? A surprising film.

jmarkhunt@compuserve.com
or markhunt111@home.com

BOB'S TOP FILMS
Subject: Top 5 Spiritual Films I've Seen.
Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2001 17:45:42 EST
From: Bob

1. Jesus of Montreal - This movie plays with the idea that the guy playing Jesus in a modern play about Jesus may in fact be Jesus. The symbolism is amazing. Luthaire Blouteu(spelling) is thoroughly awesome in the title role. In little things and in big things, the events that unfold are almost identical to what Jesus went through. Watch it twice and pay close attention, you will pick up a lot of stuff, most of all the heart of Jesus.

2. Dead Man Walking - True story, documentary feel, and Jesus at the center of it all. A beautiful story tracking a relationship between a Nun and a mna on death row and his chance at redemption. Awesome!

3. The Third Miracle - Ed Harris became one of my favorite actors after watching this movie. He plays a priest with many doubts in charge of investigating miracles for possible canonization. The movie is a character study that takes you on a wave of emotions into this man's heart.

4. Jesus (CBS Version) - I thought this tv movie did an excellent Job of showing the humanity of Jesus. Jesus alot of times seems to be portrayed as a powerful and loving but somewhat boring God/Man. In this movie, we see his emotions, from laughing to crying and it is beautiful to watch.

5. The Crucible - Story of Christians being accused of being witches and burned. It shows hypocrisy at its worst and faithfulness at its best.

DARREL'S TOP FILMS
Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001
From: Darrel Manson

*Breaking the Waves. Salvation, substitutionary atonement. Bess at prayer is a wonder in itself.

*Brother Sun, Sister Moon. Zeffirelli's bio of Francis of Assisi. Beautiful photography. Beautiful story.

*Star Wars. The closeness of the dark side. *Dances With Wolves. Gee, those savages are really people! *Judgment at Nuremberg. How could good people do evil things?

*Young Frankenstein. Pure delight.

*Pleasantville. What wonders change can bring.

*The Day the Earth Stood Still. Cold War paranoia revealed. *The Usual Suspects. What a tangled web . . .

*Almost Famous. My favorite movie of 2000 -- and it didn't even get a best picture nomination.

-- Darrel Manson ><>Artesia Christian Church
Artesia, CA http://netministries.org/see/churches/ch01198

ORIOL'S 5 TOP SPIRITUAL FILMS
Subject: My top 5 spiritual films of all time
Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001
From: "Oriol Cedeno"
(note:the first few are regular Biblical films, so sue me!)

1. Jesus of Nazareth (1977)-This is perhaps the best retelling of Christ's story I've ever seen. I love this movie and this was the film that introduced me to Christ. Lots of cameos, but unlike The Greatest Story Ever Told, the actors fit their roles perfectly. Everyone in the film looks exactly the way I think their characters looked in real life EXCEPT for Jesus, and Mary. But they still did a beautiful job. Excellent acting, excellent script, the whole dang movie is excellent!! (a whoping 6 hours and a half, this film covers a lot of ground!)

2. Jesus (1999) -I actually like this film much better than Campus Crusade's Jesus which was based on Luke. Some acting was a bit cheesey in that one. CBS's Jesus was done much more beautifully and realistically. I had no problem with Jesus saying that He had to die to prove God's love. If He's dying for the sins of the world, isn't He proving God's love? Although Jesus looked way too traditional (I think Jesus had olive colored skin or a light brown tone with long curly black hair) the actor who played Him (Jeremy Sisto) did an amazing job. I'm just mad that some dopey tv miniseries called The Cornor beat Jesus for best tv/miniseries of the year, are these people afraid of giving the award to a CHRISTIAN film?

3. The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) -Please do not refuse to watch this film because of the controversy. Yes, this film is not exactly Biblical, it's a "what-if?" story. But it has such an authentic feel to it you don't care. This film is extremely though provoking and makes you think, "What if Jesus didn't want to be the Messiah?" I think Jesus wanted to die for the sins of the world, but not through crucifixion. He even prayed to God to let it happen either some other way, or not to happen period. But the point is that even though He might've had doubts, He went through it anyway for us, earning Him the right to be called our Savior.

4. The Exorcist (1973?) -Ok, you might think I'm psychotic for saying that. But listen. This film is DEEPLY spiritual in so many ways. A struggling priest who's losing his faith. A cute, friendly little girl who becomes possessed by Satan himself. A mother who loves her daughter but doesn't know how to solve all this and begins to wonder if this actually does have to do with Satan and religion. The directors even said that although this is a scary movie, it's made to make you think. If you believe that there is evil in the world but that there is a greater force that's Holy and can conquer it, then you'll get out of this film what the director's wanted you to get out of it.

5. Dogma (2000) -Hilarious film that actually has many spiritual truths in it than you may think. Jesus' great great great great great grandniece has doubts about doing God's will. The "voice of God" tells her that her great great great great great grand uncle Jesus felt the same way when He was told what He came here for. Director Kevin Smith said he borrowed this from Last Temptation of Christ (see #3). This film also shows how God can use the most vile of people to spread His message and do His will. Like David Bruce said, God used many Biblical characters who had sinned (Moses killed a man, David commited adultery, Paul persecuted Christians, Mary Magdeline was demon possessed, etc.)

Well, that's it! Thanks for reading this far! Those are in my opinion the 5 most spiritual films of all time (even if the first 3 are Biblical films, but oh well).

MIKE'S TOP FILMS
Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2001
From: Mike Parnell

1. Forest Gump: I cry every time Forest comes to Jenny's grave and struggles with the randomness of life or life as preordained. It speaks to the mystery that is God.

2. The Empire Strikes Back: "There is no try. Do or do not." That is the essence of faith.

3. E.T. Death and resurrection portrayed on film.

4. The Truman Show: The confrontation with the man who would be God with the man who longs for freedom from a predetermined world is excellent.

5. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: The step of faith is an excellent visual illustration for any presentation.

6. It's a Wonderful Life: "My mouth's bleeding." No greater scene of redemption ever has been filmed. Shows the power of God to use ordinary people to do extraordinary things in the midst of an ordinary life.

7. O Brother, Where Art Thou: "I have been baptized and my sins are forgiven, boys!" Shows the contradiction that lives in all of us. The old nature warring with the new nature.

8. The Shawshank Redemption: Hope is more powerful than sin and the evil that men do to others.

9. Traffic: The power of sin and evil is so compelling. Evil easily besets those whom the end justifies the means.

10. The Apostle: Proves that the call of God is greater than the circumstances that we live in. The end of the movie is much like I would imagine Paul acted in prison. Sonny manages to tell others about Jesus in spite of himself and what he has done. That is the power of redemption.

ANDREW'S TOP TEN
Subject: Top Spiritual Films
Date: Fri, 12 Jan 2001
From: Andrew Siems (andy@ap7.com)

My favorite Spiritual Themed films are:

-The Apostle (One of my all time favorite films. FINALLY a film that doesnt trash a Pastor.)

-Jesus (1999 tv) (This was like a sweet love letter from God. I weep almost through the entire film. Wonderful performances and an incredible musical score.)

-Abraham (TNT Mini Series) (Please no one miss the Bible series movies from a few years ago. They are all amazing. Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Samson and Delilah, David, Solomon, Jeremiah and Esther)

-The Last Temptation of Christ (If people can get over this not being "gospel" then they can look at the film as an investigation of "faith". In this film Jesus had to DECIDE to have faith. We can just walk away and deny if we want to. What if we didnt have this ability to just walk away when things got tough. Jesus couldn't. This film helped bring me into the Kingdom. No it is NOT the Jesus of the Bible..but this investigation into the possible humanity of Christ doesnt threaten my faith.)

-Jesus of Nazereth (This film sold me on Christ. Great movie)

-Contact (This film is about having an experience of faith. It is hidden within this grrat sci-fi story but underneath it's a pro-faith film about how science cannot explain away a spiritual encounter simply because all dont share it. Very profound)

-The Mission (Seeing Deniro's penance is very powerful.)

-They Live (John Carpenter's) (The main character first SEES in a church..ever notice that...very deep under currents and biblical themes. "It was as if scales fell off of his eyes.)

-Magnolia (One of the most profoundly spiritual films in decades. The COP represent the LAW (ie - 10 commandments/LAw of God). The entire film is saving that the LAW is the only thing that can save you. JUDGEMENT is the outcome of not following the law and in the end JUDGEMENT - the form of the Frogs rains down of those lost souls who cant "wise up" - as the song they sing says. I could write a 10 page report on the spiritual/biblical themes in this film.)

-Field of Dreams ("Maybe this is Heaven"...Ok maybe it's not so super spiritual but it gives me the same feelings of joy and love. The chance to see a long lost loved one again is powerful.)