To celebrate Easter here are twenty two uplifting and inspiring films to bring you joy and entertainment for the holiday.
Widely considered the greatest mini-series ever made, Jesus of Nazareth was shortened and released as a feature film in Europe and Australia. If possible see the original six hour version available on DVD. Probably the best movie ever made about Christ, this masterpiece directed by Franco Zeffirelli was not with out scandal. Before it was aired multiple Christian fundamentalist groups protested the movie (without seeing it), claiming it to be blasphemous and removing Christ's divinity. General Motors, the primary sponsor received so many letters they were forced to withdraw from the project and lost a huge amount of money. As it turns out the mini-series was a beautiful interpretations of Christ's divinity and his humanity.
At The Movie House rating **** stars
Ben-Hur is the best of the of the big biblical spectacles. For Charlton Heston, the role of Judah Ben-Hur was the part he was born to play. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor. The film was awarded ten other Oscars and held the record for most Academy Awards won by a single film for thirty nine years. The movie follows the life of Judah Ben-Hur as his destiny converges with Jesus Christ.
At The Movie House rating **** stars
Before he was Judah Ben-Hur Charlton Heston was Moses. Cecil B. DeMille's greatest picture, The Ten Commandments still holds up today. The over wrought melodrama and the lofty dialogue just add to the fun of this biblical spectacle. See this film on the newly restored Blu-ray. It will make your eyes pop.
At The Movie House rating **** stars
Barabbas tells the story of the man who was freed instead of Jesus. The movie features some excellent cinematography, including filming the Crucifixion during a real eclipse, and some wonderful acting by Anthony Quinn.
At The Movie House rating *** stars
Chocolat is a fable about finding the good in life. Based on the best selling novel, the movie features Juliette Binoche, Alfred Molina, Lena Olin, Judi Dench and Johnny Depp
At The Movie house rating ***1/2 stars
Irving Berlin's delightful tune is brought to life in the movie Easter Parade. Featuring Fred Astaire and Judy Garland the film is a song and dance romance.
At The Movie house rating ***1/2 stars
From director Mel Gibson came this modern biblical film that follows the passion of Christ on the day he was crucified. Brutal and violent, the film portrays the suffering Christ endured in a way no other film ever had. Hard to watch, yes, but beautiful and inspired film making. Another film that was involved with controversy before it's release.
At The Movie House ***1/2 stars
King of Kings was another spectacle that followed the life of Christ. This movie shows the politics of the time and how events unfolded that led to the Crucifixion. Narrated by Orson Welles and featuring Jeffrey Hunter as a very youthful Jesus.
At The Movie House rating ***1/2 stars
Willem DeFoe starred as Jesus in this highly controversial biblical epic by director Martin Scorsese. Met with scores of protest The Last Temptation of Christ explores the humanity of Jesus and includes scenes of the devil's final attempt to lure Jesus away from the plan God has for him.
At The Movie House rating ***1/2 stars
Quo Vadis takes place thirty years after Christ's death and tells the story of the Christian movement in Rome. It features Peter Ustinov as the insane Emperor Nero. The film is filled with spectacle, including the burning of Rome and the Colosseum where the Christians were fed to the lions.. The first great biblical epic to come out of Hollywood.
At The Movie House *** stars
Another movie about the rise of Christianity featuring Richard Burton as the Roman Tribune who crucifies Jesus and then has his life transformed by Christ's divine power.
At The Movie House rating *** stars
The all singing, all dancing version of the Gospel according to St. Matthew, Godspell is the film adaptation of the hit Broadway Play.
At The Movie House ***
Andrew Lloyd Weber's rock opera brought to the big screen.
At The Movie House rating *** stars
Fiddler On The Roof is another hit Broadway musical that offers inspiration for everyone.
At The Movie House rating ***
The Greatest Story Ever Told is the most ponderous of all the big biblical epics. The film is exceedingly long and features multiple cameo's by big name stars that become distracting. Charlton Heston plays John the Baptist making this movie the tri-fecta of religious roles for him.
At The Movie House rating *** stars
For the truly blasphemous this extremely funny spoof of all the great biblical stories. The Life of Brian is the second great film to be made by the irreverent comedy troupe Monty Python.
At The Movie House rating *** stars
Jennifer Jones starred as Bernadette in this film about the miracle at Lourdes.
At the Movie House rating *** stars
Capitalizing on the success of The Song of Bernadette, Warner Bros. released The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima in 1952.
At the Movie House rating *** stars
A joyful family film that can be watched anytime of the year The Sound of Music is filled with enough inspiration, faith and hope for three movies.
At The Movie House rating **** stars.
Audrey Hepburn starred in this inspiring story about faith and devotion.
At The Movie House rating *** stars
In his first film Paul Newman starred in this unique biblical epic about the cup of Christ.
At The Movie House rating *** stars
Lillies of the Field is an uplifting tale about faith and believing that we are all capable of being God's handyman to do his work.
At The movie House rating ****
And finally a bonus film!
Hop is new in theatres this Easter. This animated tale about a rebellious Easter Bunny has not been screened by The Movie House at this time.
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