Top 7 Movies for Easter

Ah, Easter – that holy season of faith, new life, pastel candy…and movies!  Okay, every season is movie season for me, I know, but if all stories are God’s story (they are), then an Easter movie marathon is just a big bundle of holiness, right?  Right.

Here are my top seven favorite films for pondering the true meaning of Easter / Resurrection Sunday / National Day of Eating Anything-Shaped Chocolate:

 

King of Kings
This is my favorite passion movie from childhood.  Yes, Jeffrey Hunter has super-Aryan blue eyes (sorry, historical accuracy and all brown people), and there are a few creative liberties taken with the story, but the additions do not oppose scripture.  The score is soaringly beautiful, the sermon on the mount is riveting, and Rip Torn is Judas as a young, skinny, hopeful guy!

Dare you not to cry – When Jesus visits John the Baptist in prison.

Favorite quote –
Mary Magdalene: “I am a woman of sin.”
Mary, Mother of Jesus (smiles):  “…who will share my table.”

 

It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown!
If you know me at all, you knew this one was coming. The funny question this piece brings up for me is how so many believers cite this as a faith-based film (even though it only gives, like, 45 seconds to Jesus and the rest is ALL about the commercial aspects of Easter), and yet are averse to Jesus Christ, Superstar (even though it is ALL about Jesus, with a few digressions into the worldly) and other theme-resonant films. Oh well, no matter.  Despite all its faults and perceivable over-simplicity, this movie makes me happy.

Dare you not to cry – When the Easter Beagle gets to Charlie Brown on Sunday morning.

Favorite scene – Anything with Marcy in it.

 

And speaking of Jesus Christ, Superstar…

Jesus Christ, Superstar
Christians are really polarized about this movie and that makes me sad, but it’s not surprising considering that the script is an unflinching look at the inherent questions within the passion story (and by extension, within the Christian faith itself).  But the music!  And the on-location-in-the-Holy-Land sets.  And the MUSIC!!!  If you’ve avoided watching this one for a while or ever, I heartily recommend that you stop denying yourself such a powerful experience and give it another chance.  You may find that it informs your faith as much as it challenges it.

Dare you not to cry – Every single time Judas opens his mouth in song.

Favorite scenes – Tie: clearing the Temple, and that spectacular grand finale!

 

 

The Passion of the Christ
If you can look past Mel Gibson’s shenanigans and subsequent fall (and I’m not suggesting that this is or should be easy to do), this is by far the most artistically rich film ever made about Jesus.  The unmitigated violence is hard to watch (and it’s supposed to be; I’ll never be able to watch the flogging scene again), but the script is unparalleled in its profound imagery and in portraying Jesus as the teacher, friend, and badass He always was/is.

Dare you not to cry – When Mary flashes back to Jesus as a running toddler.

Favorite scenes – Tie: The Garden of Gethsemane and the woman caught in adultery (chills!).

P.S. Yes, this is happening and I am REALLY unsure how I feel about it.  You?

 

The Easter Carol
It’s a Veggie Tale.  It has bunnies, eggs, stained glass art, and a little blue fairy named Hope.  What’s not to love?

Dare you not to cry:  The final scene in the cemetery.

Favorite scene:  Same.

 

 

 

The 10 Commandments
It’s impossible to appreciate the New Testament without understanding the Old, and there is no more reverent a look in film at the latter than this movie.  To be honest, I think Charlton Heston and Yul Brynner could have read the lines sitting on a stage in folding chairs and it would have been enough, but I enjoy the spectacle of it too.

Dare you not to cry: When Rameses casts Moses out.

Favorite scene: Mount Sinai, of course.

 

The Shawshank Redemption
It’s an unconventional selection for Easter, perhaps, but a sound one.  Based on a spring-themed novella by Stephen King in Different Seasons (original title: “Hope Springs Eternal – Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption”), this movie presents a wrenching look at “life” as a prisoner and at the price, value, and beauty of freedom.  If that doesn’t scream Easter to you, I can recommend a number of good Sunday School classes to try out.

Dare you not to cry: When Andy comes clean in the water.

Favorite quote (a.k.a. the best tagline ever): Get busy living, or get busy dying.

 

These are my standards; feel free to leave me yours!