Seven Movies for Easter

Recently I was just searching online for some suggestions of great movies to watch over Easter and was woefully disappointed with what google had to offer me. For some reason, watching "The Martin Luther Story" does not sum up my feelings about Holy Week.

So, I decided to compile my own list of Easter movies that I hope will entertain you and also enrich your celebration of Holy Week.

Disclaimer:note that none of these films replaces the experience of going to Holy Week Services. These films are meant to be supplemental material for mediation and inspiration, not the main course!

1. The Passion of the Christ:

This one goes without saying, but I am going to say it anyway (since if I didn't I know at least one of you would comment "But how could you leave out..."). "Passion" is not for the faint of heart, and is not fun to watch, but is a reminder of the reality of the cross. The cross, and Good Friday, should not be something we neatly compartmentalize into a short prayer or static picture in our minds, and "The Passion of the Christ" can be a good way to shake us out of our comfort zones. However, "Passion of the Christ" is not for everyone. Some people will watch it once and that's enough. Some people will watch it every year. It might be your thing, it might not, and that's okay.

2. The Robe:

Okay, I LOVE this movie! It a 1958 classic, and tells the story of the Roman soldier Marcellus, who won Jesus' robe while gambling with the other gaurds at the foot of the cross. This movie has all the splendor of old Hollywood, the sets, the costumes, the bazillions of extras, and exciting sword fights, but at the heart of it is a great story of redemption, courage, and unflinching faith (and if you like it, there is even a sequal, Demetrius and the Gladiators). Speaking of epic, this leads me to my next suggestion...

3. Ben Hur:

Okay, if I said "The Robe" was epic, "Ben Hur" makes it look like a tea party. Like "To Kill a Mockingbird," is to literature, "Ben Hur" is one of those movies you absolutely have to see at least once if you are a movie person. Make sure you leave enough time to watch it, since it is a long one! I would suggest have plenty of hummus, bread and olive oil, and other Roman-type snacks on hand, as well as enough time to take a break in the middle, since it is about four hours long. I first saw this film in Oxford when I watched all four hours in one sitting with my friends Marie and Adam, and it is awesome. Again, like the Robe, it has its high spectacle moments, but at the heart of it is a story of a man grappling with the idea of faith and struggling to find his place in the world.

4. Godspell:

Now for something completely different. Every year I fluctuate between disliking this film and loving it, and this year, once again I love it. While some might complain that it is theologically innacurate (it is a musical) the music is wonderful, and the film brings the parables to life in fresh and memorable ways. Also, the way that the Apostles are called out of the world to follow Christ is not to be missed, since I think quieting oneself to hear God's call is a message we all definately still need today. And come on, if the song "By the Willows," still makes me cry after all these years, there must be something there...

5. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

For all you allegorical folks out there, you can't beat Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe! Personally, I still think the best way to experience this story is to read the book, but the new film version is decent (though having Liam Neesan's voice coming out of Aslan is a bit jarring at first) or you can go the route of the old BBC version, which has an excellent cast (and Beavers that look like potatoes...)

6. St. John in Exhile.

In this great, one-man performance by Dean Jones the audience is introduced to the elderly St. John (in exhile, duh) who speaks about the time he spent with Jesus and Christ's passion. This film might be hard to find, but it is by turns lively, humorous, touching, and always compelling. Dean Jones does a great job making Saint John come to life as a fully developed character, and not just the stuffy (or wimpy) stereotype that we tend to pin on John the Apostle.


7. St. Maximilian Kolbe

While this movie is not an Easter movie, per se, don't let that stop you from watching it! This is another incredible one-man performance in which Leonardo Defilipis portrays Maximilian Kolbe, the Saint of Auschwitz. Defilipis plays multiple roles in the film, and it is amazing to watch him playing Maximilian Kolbe one moment and a Nazi leader the next. So why is this in my Easter picks? Because it shows the story of a man living the Catholic faith boldly and unhesitatingly making the ultimate sacrifice in imitation of Christ.

Like the Passion of the Christ, I feel that I have not finished my note until I mention:

The Ten Commandments:
Now, this film is on television every year around this time, when networks feel that they should put on something that is somewhat spiritual (and the story of Moses seems safe enough). The problem is, this film is long to begin with, and what with commercial breaks every five minutes it takes Moses a good two hours simply to get to the burning bush! I have been watching this movie every Easter week since I was twelve and never have I seen the pivotal moment at the end of the film where Moses actually recieves the ten commandments, which is apparently the whole point of the movie. Once Moses parts the Red Sea the channel usually feels that three hours of spirituality is enough and is getting uncomfortable, so then they switch to the 10 pm news. So, at this point in my life I am a bit weary of The Ten Commandments, but if you are feeling daring, I would say shell out some cash and rent it and forget about the commercial breaks. Or just watch Prince of Egypt.