Secular films with Christian-compliant themes?

[catzetier]

I am hunting for well-told films that have Christian themes but don't shove them down your throat. Therefore, I can't find what I want in the Christian film market (because shoving them down your throat is what they do best), so I'm looking elsewhere. For the purposes of this thread, if it’s more likely to appear on the shelves of your local Christian retailer than on the shelves of your local secular shop, I’m not interested. And we won’t argue about what’s well-told and what’s not. If you think it’s well-told, that’s enough for me.​

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Foreign films are fine. Children’s films are fine. Any genre EXCEPT horror is fine (only horror film I’ve ever enjoyed was The Sixth Sense, and that doesn’t count as far as my list goes).​

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And I will not watch anything with an R-anything rating. I can’t handle it. M-rated is as high as I will go.

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Films I already know that fit what I'm looking for:​

Joyeux Noel. This is probably about as explicitly "Christian" as I'm willing to go, given that it uses Christianity as one of the main things that breaks down barriers. It touches on loving your enemies, cost, and the realisation that we are all human and therefore have more in common than we think.​

Dragonheart. This is a fantasy film that touches on heaven, souls, good versus evil (and how...), cost, self-sacrifice, honour, duty, and love, among other things - apart from being an excellent story in its own right. It’s amazing and the best example I’ve found so far of the sort of thing I’m looking for. It’s M-rated, but by today’s standards it’s positively tame for an M-rated film. I fell in love with it when I was twelve, and the level of violence didn’t even bother me then...​

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The Lives of Others. A drama that is all about doing the right thing... and, in a VERY corrupt and repressive society, what “doing the right thing” actually means, and what it costs.​

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Les Miserables. This only makes it onto the list because it IS more likely to appear on the shelves of my local secular shop. Goodness knows why. It’s about as explicitly Christian as you get without having everybody wear haloes. Perhaps it’s because it’s also a really good story...​

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Miracle on 34th Street (the 1994 remake). Yes, ALL RIGHT, it’s about Santa Claus. It’s also about the power of belief and hope, and truth winning out over lies (even if the truth is unbelievable).​

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Rise of the Guardians. See previous film for disclaimer but add several other folklore characters to the mix. About the power – and the necessity – of belief and hope. Particularly powerful if, like me, you think the villain’s been twisted sometime in the past... but is redeemable if somebody would ACT on it! Not that this happens in the film, unfortunately – it’s either subtext or headcanon and I’m not entirely sure which.​

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Secondhand Lions. Touches on loyalty, courage, love, and the power of truth over lies.​

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A Christmas Carol (Disney’s animated version). True, they stuffed up the Ghost Of Christmas Yet To Come big time (it’s meant to be terrifying AND kind, which they didn’t even bother trying to convey, probably because... well, how in the world would you do it?). But it’s still about redemption and second chances and loving other people and how your choices affect your future etc.​

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Life is Beautiful. Very much about love, sacrifice, and cost.​

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I am David. The book was quite strongly Christian; the film less so (and lesser for it, I think; they deleted some pretty pertinent character developments). Still a good film, though, and some of the themes do survive. Deals with love, family, sacrifice.​

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And I do know about the Narnia films; I just don’t consider them to be very well-told, so they don’t make my list.​

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I have also seen Return to the Hiding Place – but didn’t like it very much. I loved the book it’s based on, though.​

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[FONT=&quot]So. Any ideas? (And please also tell me WHY you consider it to have Christian themes – something like what I’ve done here with my selections).[/FONT]

 

[USCGrad90]

"Les Miserables," originally a French historical novel by Victor Hugo published in 1862 and considered by many to be one of the most significant works of the nineteenth century, explores a number of central Christian themes, such as forgiveness, hope and redemption, and has been adopted into various formats.

"Chariots of Fire" is an inspiring story of a young Scottish runner who is willing to put obedience to God before an Olympic gold medal.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy(2001-2003, PG-13) An epic trilogy that illustrates the classic battle between good and evil.

 

[Autumnleaf]

Taking Chance.

"Taking Chance" trailer - YouTube

 

[catzetier]

Thanks USCGrad90 and autumnleaf.

"Les Miserables," originally a French historical novel by Victor Hugo published in 1862 and considered by many to be one of the most significant works of the nineteenth century, explores a number of central Christian themes, such as forgiveness, hope and redemption, and has been adopted into various formats.

"Chariots of Fire" is an inspiring story of a young Scottish runner who is willing to put obedience to God before an Olympic gold medal.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy(2001-2003, PG-13) An epic trilogy that illustrates the classic battle between good and evil.

Les Miserables is actually on my list, but I had problems with the silly formatting in my post and it's very easy to read over.

Chariots of Fire I have heard of but never seen. I will definitely give it a try.

LotR trilogy - yes, I know them, and I love them, and I can't believe I didn't think to put them on the list!

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And "Taking Chance" I have never heard of before, so that's one to watch as well.

 

[wgjones3]

Lars and the Real Girl

It's a story about a mentally ill man who can't cope with life and death and relationships. Driven by a fear that his expectant sister-in-law might lose her baby, he orders a life-size sex toy doll and tells everyone that she is a missionary, they met online, and they're in love. There's nothing perverted that happens with the doll, by the way. The Christian part of the move, to me, is watching the community come together to help Lars deal with his mental illness by showing love and compassion rather than ridiculing and medicating him. It is a story about a community coming together and showering Lars with grace and helping him heal some very deep wounds.

 

[jayem]

Lillies Of The Field. An itinerant Black handyman helps a group of European nuns build a chapel. A story about people from very different worlds coming together for a common mission. The title is taken from the Sermon on the Mount. It won Sidney Poitier a Best Actor Oscar.


One of the all-time classics is To Kill A Mockingbird. It deals with racial prejudice, and doesn't have a totally happy ending. But the theme of a righteous man standing up to injustice has a strong spiritual element. Gregory Peck also won an Oscar for Best Actor.

 

[keith99]

Thanks USCGrad90 and autumnleaf.



Les Miserables is actually on my list, but I had problems with the silly formatting in my post and it's very easy to read over.

Chariots of Fire I have heard of but never seen. I will definitely give it a try.

LotR trilogy - yes, I know them, and I love them, and I can't believe I didn't think to put them on the list!

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And "Taking Chance" I have never heard of before, so that's one to watch as well.

I'm not at all thrilled with the LOTR Films. From a Christian or moral standpoint the making evil cool that is done with Shelob and the mounts of the Nazgul is outrageous.

If one considers a film with moral choices to be made and the right path taken rather than the easy one then both Casablanca and The African Queen fit pretty well.

Sidney Poitier was mentioned and I'd consider any of his films worth a gamble. To Sir With Love for sure. Guess Who's Coming to Dinner a close second. Both done in 1967. If you want to try for a trifecta add In The Heat of the Night. There may be some objectionable as one would expect when murder is involved, but perhaps the good overshadows the vile. At the least some characters seem to improve in substantial ways.

 

[catzetier]

To Kill a Mockingbird I own. It's certainly decent but I prefer the book.

I've heard of Casablanca somewhere but have no idea of anything about it.

All the others I've never heard of. When I get time I foresee I shall be busy!

PS. Does LotR make evil cool? As in desirable? Sauron wanted to rule the world and drag it into darkness and despair, and he ended up as a gigantic flaming eyeball which then became a dissipated and dead flaming eyeball. The Nazgul wanted the power that the nine rings gave them and ended up enslaved and ruddy scary, and were destroyed in a volcanic eruption. Saruman wanted power and ended up falling from his own tower and impaling himself. Denethor was mad and prideful and refused to stand aside for the rightful king, and ended up setting himself on fire and falling goodness-knows-how-far from the top level of Minas Tirith.

Whereas Gandalf selflessly gave his life for his friends and came back from the dead. Aragorn risked everything to give Frodo a chance, against all odds had it actually WORK, survived the battle and became king. Eowyn was the only person on the battlefield who could have taken down the Witch-king, and ended up meeting Faramir (indirectly) because of it. Frodo gave everything he had, faltered at the end, but yet still saw peace in his lifetime and was given a place on the last of the Elven-ships to leave Middle-earth. The love story between Arwen and Aragorn... need I even say it?

Evil in LotR being cool as in brilliantly-animated and powerful, I will grant you. The other way to go would have been deliberate tackiness, which would in turn have made for a pretty atrocious film. But evil being portrayed as cool from a Christian or moral standpoint - being portrayed as desirable in any way? No.

 

[keith99]

To Kill a Mockingbird I own. It's certainly decent but I prefer the book.

I've heard of Casablanca somewhere but have no idea of anything about it.

All the others I've never heard of. When I get time I foresee I shall be busy!

PS. Does LotR make evil cool? As in desirable? Sauron wanted to rule the world and drag it into darkness and despair, and he ended up as a gigantic flaming eyeball which then became a dissipated and dead flaming eyeball. The Nazgul wanted the power that the nine rings gave them and ended up enslaved and ruddy scary, and were destroyed in a volcanic eruption. Saruman wanted power and ended up falling from his own tower and impaling himself. Denethor was mad and prideful and refused to stand aside for the rightful king, and ended up setting himself on fire and falling goodness-knows-how-far from the top level of Minas Tirith.

Whereas Gandalf selflessly gave his life for his friends and came back from the dead. Aragorn risked everything to give Frodo a chance, against all odds had it actually WORK, survived the battle and became king. Eowyn was the only person on the battlefield who could have taken down the Witch-king, and ended up meeting Faramir (indirectly) because of it. Frodo gave everything he had, faltered at the end, but yet still saw peace in his lifetime and was given a place on the last of the Elven-ships to leave Middle-earth. The love story between Arwen and Aragorn... need I even say it?

Evil in LotR being cool as in brilliantly-animated and powerful, I will grant you. The other way to go would have been deliberate tackiness, which would in turn have made for a pretty atrocious film. But evil being portrayed as cool from a Christian or moral standpoint - being portrayed as desirable in any way? No.

NO evil made cool as opposed to repugnant.

Contrast Both the winged mounts of the Nazgul and Shelob of the films to the books.

Also contrast Faramir of the books a man whose word was his bond, even against the temptation of the One Ring to the washed out copy of Boromir of the films.

And that you list Denethor as evil says volumes about how the films butchered his character. Gandalf would never have made that mistake.

 

[keith99]

I've heard of Casablanca somewhere but have no idea of anything about it.

Casablanca is the film with more famous quotes than any other.

AFI's 100 Years...100 Movie Quotes - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

6 of the top 100.

Ironically perhaps the most famous quote of all is not on the list because it was not in the film.

'Play it again, Sam.'

If you watch movies there will be echos of Casablanca.

The phrase 'the usual suspects' started there, as did "We'll always have Paris".

 

[Lik3]

Lillies Of The Field. An itinerant Black handyman helps a group of European nuns build a chapel. A story about people from very different worlds coming together for a common mission. The title is taken from the Sermon on the Mount. It won Sidney Poitier a Best Actor Oscar.


One of the all-time classics is To Kill A Mockingbird. It deals with racial prejudice, and doesn't have a totally happy ending. But the theme of a righteous man standing up to injustice has a strong spiritual element. Gregory Peck also won an Oscar for Best Actor.

Great movies.

 

[PixieSunbelle]

This isn't a movie but the Avatar: The Last Airbender. Don't watch the actual movie, it's TERRIBLE and makes zero sense. There are three 'books' otherwise known as seasons to Avatar: The Last Airbender. Some people confuse this with anime which it is not. It is Asian-inspired and is made by Nickelodeon.

The Avatar is the one who is to bring peace to all and restore balance to the world. One could draw a parallel between the Avatar and Jesus. Jesus brought peace, hope and justice to the world everywhere he went.

Aang is a young monk, airbender who is the Avatar. He possesses great power due to his heritage and from being the Avatar. Both are wanderers who went wherever needed. Both must defeat a great evil. Aang struggled with the proper way to defeat his enemy.

I wouldn't say the parallels are easy to find. It is a children's show but often gray areas are depicted. I wouldn't say the themes are in every episode. The same theme about the Avatar and Jesus is shown in the sequel to Avatar: Legend of Aang; Avatar: Legend of Korra.

In several scenes the Avatar goes to a secluded place to communicate with past Avatars which resembles how Jesus went to be alone in a garden to talk to God. Aang and Jesus both had a different type of childhood where they often related to adults more.

I would also say it's about love, acceptance, and choosing good over evil.

Zuko, the Firelord's (king of the Fire Nation) son has to face unpleasant realities throughout the series which comes to fruition in the 3rd book. Between Zuko and Iroh you have can draw parallels from the prodigal son.

Acceptance theme comes in the second book. We meet Toph. She is a rough and tumble blind earthbender. She makes assumptions that people will treat her differently due to her blindness due to how her parents have treated her.

I'd also say there are major differences as well. Aang sought teachers to teach him his bending (The 'magic' the show is about. People can bend elements) which was essential to his Avatar training.


The next, unlikely series I bring to the table is Charmed. Yes, it is about witchcraft, however there are many parallels between Christianity and Charmed. The Charmed Ones are the chosen ones. Together they are the strongest. Their point? To defeat The Source of All Evil. I'd also say it's about fellowship. The girls are at their strongest together and they can even call on the help of other witches (and gypsies) if they all hold hands and chant. Of course, these are loose parallels. The girls do worldly things throughout the show such as one owns a club at one point, they drink, there are sexual themes, they date, and they are not the most modest individuals. However, there are themes about family importance, balancing their Charmed duties with family and life. An episode revolves around The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse so that's interesting. They work with evil if that means a common goal will be accomplished. They Day Magic Died shows us this. There is no magic anymore. They must work with the demons to restore it because there is a delicate balance.

 

[sunshine456]

The are so many that seemingly convey the message which surrounds the christian principles that i could literally list a 100, but won't.

LEGEND 1980's
GRAND CANYON
PROPHECY(first one)
PAY IT FORWARD
SPIDER-MAN TRILOGY(early 2000's)these movies conveyed an almost perfect ethical christian principle- the film even had a sequence that used the our father prayer by aunt M that validated this to a degree. The newer spiderman films don't seem to retain this quality so i cannot recommend them.

The original 4/5/6 STAR WARS films defntly have a strong principle that identifies with Christianity and even Lucas himself stated he wanted to convey spirituality to the audience in those films.

MALEFICIENT has ties to the premises that represents Christian models except for the fact maleficent appears to be a demon in physical form so it's a toss up, but the message is there.

Many more fit the bill and if you are willing to watch small screen shows HALLMARK has plenty of goodies that would fill your wishlist. i do not ever remember watching a HALLMARK show that didn't adjacent itself to christian principles. I still remember when Sunday night hallmark show presentations were common and i never felt unfortunate for spending an hour or two tied to the premieres.

Praise be to GOD the heavenly father and his son JESUS CHRIST forever>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[RDKirk]

Check out a television censored version of "The Matrix" (the original movie, not the sequels) to avoid the rough language of the movie release. That movie oozes Christology and spiritual warfare themes. Some are clearly intentional, but I think it goes even farther than the producers understood.

It would be very easy to use The Matrix as a springboard of an entire sermon series on spirtual warfare.

 

[PixieSunbelle]

Check out a television censored version of "The Matrix" (the original movie, not the sequels) to avoid the rough language of the movie release. That movie oozes Christology and spiritual warfare themes. Some are clearly intentional, but I think it goes even farther than the producers understood.

It would be very easy to use The Matrix as a springboard of an entire sermon series on spirtual warfare.

I had a pastor use it once for a talk. I had never seen the movie and then after that had to watch it, lol.