Easter movie recommendations

1. Best of Biblical: The life of Christ compels you!
Following Easter and the smorgasbord of religious films that are fast becoming the
modern eulogy for the son of man; it is clear that the life of Christ makes for compel-
ling viewing.
It ishisfinal daysthat that have inspired the mostdramaticcinematicoutput. A manbetrayed by
one of hisbestfriends, torturedandcrucified todeath, returns tothe landof the livingthree days
laterto wreak…...forgiveness. Strongstuff!
The Easter Bunny may have riddeninonthe coat tailsof the Son of God but unlike Santathe floppy
earedusurperhasfailedtototally commercialise the subjectmatteroutof the occasion. In contrast
celebratingthe birthof Christ, like anychristeningworthitssalt, quickly reducesthe guestof honour
to an afterthoughtinthe nextroomas revellers mingle andimbibewiththe abandon grantedbyan
occasion. I guess as story arcs go it’sharder to brush off “He diedforyoursins”
Biblical taleswere atone time the blockbusters of the day. Forme they well upmemories of Sunday
TV matinees inthe time of yore andtwochannels. Eventhe Überatheist, if they putthey’re guffaw-
ingaside fora minute, willfindsome gemsinthe Biblical filmcatalogue.
Here are some mustsee moviesderived fromthe goodbook.
Christ
The Miracle Maker
Thisanimatedfeature aboutthe latterlife of Jesus(RalphFiennes) restrainsitsdramaticlicence to
offerupa poignantandmodestretellingof biblical stories. Fitforall the family andvoicedbyanil-
lustrious ensemble(JulieChristie, WilliamHurt, RichardE Grant, Michael Bryant) the filmmanagesin
a comparatively shortrunningtime tooutshine itsepicpiers.
The Passionof the Christ
Firstoff thisfilmisdefinitely notafamily affair. Ithas a disturbingamountof violence;the look away
I can’t take it anymore type of violence. Thatsaiditis notan exploitative gore fest. The movie fo-
cuseson a man beingtorturedtodeathand itsuncompromisingdepiction of thisbarbaricpractice
givesthisaccountof the final hours of Christan aura of legitimacy beyondothersedate depictions.
Mel Gibsondoes a greatjobas directorand thenowingtoa personal life tail spinbecame ananti Se-
miticslurringelephantinthe roomto the film. Accusationsthatthe movie itself isanti Semiticprop-
aganda held little weightforme afterviewingthe film. Essentially thisisanindependentfilmderived
froma specifictheological belief, butitisnota hate fuelled condemnation of the jewish people. Asa
cinematicproductitis a dramatic, well shotpicture, accompanied byasuperbleadperformance
fromJimCaviezel.
Classics
Ben-Hur
JudahBen-Huristhe Monte Cristoof biblical times. A Jewish prince wrongfully senttothe galleysby
hisone-time bestfriendonly torise againbyfortune andwitto exactrevenge.
As ClintEastwoodisto the spaghetti western, CharltonHestonistothe biblical blockbuster. ThisOs-
car winningperformance asBen-Hurcemented hisauthority onthe genre.

2. Yet nohero can truly shine withoutagoodvillainandStephen Boydrightfully wonthe bestsupport-
ingOscar as hiscomplex andhatednemesis Messala.
Witha runtime of almost4 hoursI’d advise tosetaside a rainy day forthisone. The Chariotscene
alone isworthwatchingthisbiblical classic. Nottomention the seabattle….RammingSpeed!
The Ten Commandments
Cecli B de Mill’sepicmotionpicture aboutthe life of Mosesandthe exodus of the chosen people is
overthe top, ethnically ludicrous andhugely entertaining.
The infantMoses is setadriftina wickerbasketbyhisfamily inordertosave hislife. Foundand
adopted bythe Pharos daughterhe isrearedand lovedasEgyptianroyalty. Reachingadulthood Mo-
seslearnshistrue heritage andembarks ona questtofree hispeople atthe commandof the al-
mighty.
Hestonagainleadsan all-starcastand is the ideal talismanforareckoning. Yul BrennerplaysRam-
sesthe Pharo and isexcellentasthe brother/nemesis of sortstoMoses.