What do you think impedes Christian-themed content from crossing over to mainstream?

Hawthorne said:

Frankly, sometimes I wonder if Christians expect Christian films to be lower budget and aren't really sure what to make of a "big budget"

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It wasn't always like that. Back in the day, biblical movies attracted large audiences and made good money. Almost everyone of a certain age has seen those Cecil B. DeMille spectacles with big stars and big budgets. Like Samson and Delilah (Victor Mature as Samson and Hedy Lamaar as Delilah; and The 10 Commandments (Charlton Heston as Moses and Yul Brynner played Ramses) There's a religious message in William Wyler's Ben Hur (also starring Charlton Heston.) Not to mention that more recently, Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ was also a big hit.

jayem said:

It wasn't always like that. Back in the day, biblical movies attracted large audiences and made good money. Almost everyone of a certain age has seen those Cecil B. DeMille spectacles with big stars and big budgets. Like Samson and Delilah (Victor Mature as Samson and Hedy Lamaar as Delilah; and The 10 Commandments (Charlton Heston as Moses and Yul Brynner played Ramses)

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Yes but they had to take much artistic licence in order to do so.

timothyu said:

Yes but they had to take much artistic licence in order to do so.

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Yeah, you're right. Do you remember Yul Brynner's last scene as Pharaoh in The 10 Commandments? He's despondent when he gets the news that his soldiers drowned in the Red Sea chasing after the Hebrews. His wife berates him for being unable to kill Moses. He tells her "His God...is God."

Even Ramses becomes a believer in the movies.

jayem said:

Even Ramses becomes a believer in the movies

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And Christians watch it every Easter on tv not realizing it is broadcast for Jewish Passover

jayem said:

It wasn't always like that. Back in the day, biblical movies attracted large audiences and made good money. Almost everyone of a certain age has seen those Cecil B. DeMille spectacles with big stars and big budgets. Like Samson and Delilah (Victor Mature as Samson and Hedy Lamaar as Delilah; and The 10 Commandments (Charlton Heston as Moses and Yul Brynner played Ramses) There's a religious message in William Wyler's Ben Hur (also starring Charlton Heston.) Not to mention that more recently, Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ was also a big hit.

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Ah, I had in mind a twenty-first century particularly evangelical filmmaking (as I assumed the OP implied) rather than the sand and sandal epics you mentioned. Even Mr. Gibson's Passion of the Christ, while widely embraced by evangelicals, was most definitely not evangelical in production or source material.

I'm not sure what you consider Christian themed content. If you mean having Christian elements, then one of the most significant crossover movies in recent decades is A Walk To Remember. It is primarily considered a romantic film but it has Christian references and ideas throughout. Because it blends romance with Christianity, viewers are able to interpret things for themselves. For instance, when he says, "I'm sorry she never got her miracle" and the reverend says, "She did. It was you." The most religious perspective would be that Landon's change was a miracle. A sort of middle ground would be that as individuals we can be miracles sent by God for each other by making each other's lives that much better. Finally, it can be viewed as pretty, romantic sounding words for one that doesn't believe in literal miracles of any kind.

Non-Christians are not likely to watch A Walk To Remember because of the Christian elements. Yet in watching it in spite of the Christian elements, it may get some viewers curious about Christianity. Or at least leave them with a slightly more positive perception of Christianity.

I'm not saying crossover content has to be centered on romance. Hacksaw Ridge, a war movie inspired by a true story, is another example of a film with Christian elements that has some crossover appeal. Both movies have the potential to engage non-Christians because they are not just about Christianity but other things people find interesting (romance, war, heroism). I think one could do a prison movie like this. Use a true story of someone converting in prison but make it about the prison experience in general. Another possibility is a story about an animal lover that rescues animals because they feel inspired by God to do so. Less is often more when trying to reach someone other than the choir. Come off too "preachy" and they might pass entirely. Instead, show rather than tell, that Christianity can be a positive influence.

angelsaroundme said:

I'm not sure what you consider Christian themed content. If you mean having Christian elements...

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Or in some cases being explicitly Christian while dealing with things applicable to everyone.

There are several books by C.S. Lewis that fit that case.

The idea that gluttony is not limited to overeating, that it can be easier to forgive one large transgression than a several small ones or that actually putting things into practice in your own home is more a danger to Screwtape than all the intent to do something in far off places apply to most people.

Narnia is very explicitly Christian, but it is also a good children's story.

The Inner Ring is not explicitly Christian as best I can recall. The danger of doing wrong to become one of those in the inner circle and how it in the end turns into an empty triumph if achieved applies to all. Though it could be argued that result is all the more bitter for a Christian.

The managers in charge, who are not buying Christian themed stories and thus not airing Christian themed stories.

When people are confronted with how they are not doing what their religion says they should be doing they feel guilt and shame. They would rather turn the vido off then go through the shame they feel for not towing the line.

keith99 said:

Or in some cases being explicitly Christian while dealing with things applicable to everyone.

There are several books by C.S. Lewis that fit that case.

The idea that gluttony is not limited to overeating, that it can be easier to forgive one large transgression than a several small ones or that actually putting things into practice in your own home is more a danger to Screwtape than all the intent to do something in far off places apply to most people.

Narnia is very explicitly Christian, but it is also a good children's story.

The Inner Ring is not explicitly Christian as best I can recall. The danger of doing wrong to become one of those in the inner circle and how it in the end turns into an empty triumph if achieved applies to all. Though it could be argued that result is all the more bitter for a Christian.

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I was thinking of mentioning Narnia. You can't really get more Christian while simultaneously making something that's enjoyable for anyone than The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.

angelsaroundme said:

I was thinking of mentioning Narnia. You can't really get more Christian while simultaneously making something that's enjoyable for anyone than The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.

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Yet I'll bet there are Christians (and others) who feel the ending of The Last Battle is not suitable for children!

Lewis fared better than Heinlein did with Podkayne of Mars, where the publisher forced a rewrite of the ending because Padkayne died.

dgiharris said:

I'm working with a friend to produce some Christain themed content and we developed this video as a test case to cut our teeth a bit and to get a feel for if people like it, don't like it, etc

The question I'd like to ask you guys is, what Christian theme content that you liked crossed over (or failed to cross over) to the mainstream and why or why not in your opinion?

What are your thoughts for why some things crossed over or why some concepts don't do well or are misrepresented etc...

Lastly, if you have any feedback for the video that would be awesome as well

thanks for any and all help

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Maybe we could just call it the "Mars Hill Effect" and offer that as an approximate explanation...?

dgiharris said:

I'm working with a friend to produce some Christain themed content and we developed this video as a test case to cut our teeth a bit and to get a feel for if people like it, don't like it, etc

The question I'd like to ask you guys is, what Christian theme content that you liked crossed over (or failed to cross over) to the mainstream and why or why not in your opinion?

What are your thoughts for why some things crossed over or why some concepts don't do well or are misrepresented etc...

Lastly, if you have any feedback for the video that would be awesome as well

thanks for any and all help

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No speakers

dgiharris said:

What do you think impedes Christian-themed content from crossing over to mainstream?​

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