The Lenten Movie Cycle: Enhancing Lent Through Film

Every year our family turns off the television for the 40 days of Lent. As those of you who are Catholic know, Sundays do not count as part of Lent, so, like every good Catholic, we immediately revert to every vice that we've sworn off for lent as soon as the clock strikes 12 on Saturday night.

It seemed a little odd to me and my wife, however, that on the one day that is set apart to keep holy, we should immediately engage in the particular behaviours that we for some reason deemed it spiritually good for us to avoid during the week.

Therefore, we decided that on the weekends during Lent, we would only watch movies that somehow edified, uplifted and inspired our family to be better people and to deepen our faith.

Below is a list of films that we have incorporated into our "Lenten cycle" of movies along with a little commentary:

"Anthony Warrior of God" "Antonio Guerriero di Dio" (2006) IMDB rating 6.5 Italian with subtitles
Despite its relatively low IMDB rating, I really liked this film. It's an inspiring and entertaining account of the great Saint that the entire family enjoys. It is subtitled so it may not be too entertaining to any slow readers in the family.

"Ben Hur" (1959) IMDB rating 8.2 HOLY SATURDAY
Perhaps the most memorable and epic film from the Golden Age of Hollywood with an overtly Christian theme. I still have vivid memories of the first time I saw this film in the theater as a child - particularly the gruesome naval battle and chariot race scenes. We save this film for Holy Saturday evening and it's become a wonderful tradition.

"The Greatest Story Ever Told" (1965) IMDB rating 6.3
Not a huge fan of this type of Hollywood blockbuster religious movie - you know, the kind with all the stars, etc.. The film does have it's merits, including some spectacular cinematography and great acting at parts. One of the nagging flaws of this movie, quite bluntly, is Jesus' haircut. Our movie-starved kids, however, will watch just about anything by the second or third week of Lent. Overall, not a bad film, it just seems dated. I've heard "King of Kings" (1961) IMDB rating 7, is a better film about Christ. If you've seen both and can compare the two, please comment.

"I Confess" (1953) IMDB rating 7.2
Hitchcock's story of a priest who is framed for a murder by someone who goes to him for confession and therefore the priest cannot break the seal of confession and reveal the true identity of the murderer. Since I have 5 boys at home, I like to present images of heroic priests to them, particularly after the way priests have been portrayed in the media over the last few decades. For another great portrayal of a priest, check out Karl Malden in one of my favorite films "On the Waterfront", perhaps another worthy entry for the cycle.

"Jesus of Nazareth" TV mini-series (1977) IMDB 8.5
I remember how edified I was by this as a teenager when this was first aired on commercial television. It's a great example of how powerfully good the media can be. It's a little dated now and there are moments that I find a little trying - particularly the way that Jesus is portrayed at times in his adult life. He just seems a little strange and aloof, and the music doesn't always help! However, the Annunciation and Visitation scenes are remarkably beautiful, as are several other important moments throughout the series. Since the series lasts over 6 hours, it's not something you want to watch in one sitting.

"A Man for All Seasons" (1966) IMDB rating 8.1
This is one of my favorite films of any genre. Based on the play by Sir Robert Bolt (a non-Catholic), I find it to be the most edifying example of heroic virtue in practical matters. Because of this film, most everyone knows the story of St. Thomas More and his willingness to suffer death before swearing a false oath. For my children, the lessons and inspiration abound. I generally wait until the 4-5 week of Lent because, as I mentioned above, our movie-starved kids will eagerly watch just about anything by that time and this is a dialogue heavy movie that probably won't fly with kids if shown on the heels of "The Dark Knight".

"Miracle of Marcelino" Marcelino Pan y Vino (1955) IMDB rating 7.2 Spanish with dubbed English
I saw this film a long time ago and I believe it was in Spanish with subtitles. The edition that I have now is dubbed in English and quite honestly, the little boy's English Voice detracts from the movie a great deal. If you have kids that can read well, go with the Spanish edition with subtitles. This is a wonderfully touching film about a little boy who grows up in a monastery and his interaction with the monks therein. I won't say anything more about the plot, but once again, kids who haven't been watching television day in and day out will appreciate this subtle and touching movie that celebrates childlike faith.

"Monsieur Vincent" (1947) IMDB rating 7.3 French with subtitles
Story of St. Vincent de Paul. Very subtle, minimalistic (and underrated) presentation of the life of St. Vincent. I strongly recommend this film for older viewers as there are elements that young children would find disturbing.

"Mother Teresa" (2003) IMDB rating 7.0
Pretty good movie about Mother Teresa (played by Olivia Hussey) - definitely worth purchasing and incorporating into the "Lenten cycle". I recall seeing a documentary with the same title in 1987 that was more compelling, however. Take your pick.

"The Passion of the Christ" (2004; R) IMDB rating 7.1 Hebrew, Latin, Aramaic GOOD FRIDAY
A Great film about the passion and death of Christ. Very, very graphic and parents should use extreme caution, in my opinion, about allowing anyone below the age of 17 watch this film unedited. I've allowed my 12 year old to watch parts, but was very careful to skip through certain sections which I found to be too graphic for children. We generally watch this on the night of Good Friday. You can throw the ratings out on this one. I doubt there's any film in the entire Internet Movie Database (IMDB) that has a comparable dispersion of 10 and 1 ratings. It's an excellent film on every technical level.

"Quo Vadis" (1951) IMDB rating 7.2
It's a little campy, but this really is one of our family's favorite movies of the Lenten cycle. Great portrayal of Nero by Peter Ustinov, a terrific story about the early Church under persecution and a very inspiring and poignant portrayal of the early apostles. In my opinion, at 7.2 this movie is underrated and should be in the upper echelon of biblical movies.

"The Robe" (1953) IMDB rating 6.7
Also a bit campy, but definitely worth watching. The Robe is the story of the soldier in charge of crucifying Christ. Richard Burton stars as the soldier along with Victor Mature, and Jean Simmons. Not quite "Quo Vadis" but not bad either.

"The Scarlet & the Black" (1983; TV) IMDB rating 7.8
Gregory Peck stars as Fr. Hugh O'Flaherty, a real life Vatican official who assisted with the escape and hiding of prisoners of war during WWII. This movie is a wonderful, suspense-filled cat and mouse thriller where Fr. O'Flaherty outwits his nemesis, the refined and smug Nazi commander played deftly by Christopher Plummer. Very well done and worthwhile entry for the Lenten cycle.

"Ten Commandments" (1956) IMDB rating: 7.9 HOLY THURSDAY
Cecil B. DeMille's classic retelling of the Passover and Moses leading his people to the promised land. Our family watches this movie on Holy Thursday which fits perfectly with our tradition of having a Gospel informed Seder supper. This is the prototypical "Hollywood" movie where stars abound and Charlton Heston utters some of his most memorable and overdramatic lines, but overall it's a great way to communicate the story of the deliverance of the Hebrews from Egypt and the importance and relevance of the Passover to the Passion of Jesus.

"Therese: The Story of Saint Therese of Lisieux" (2004) IMDB rating 5.9
This film will have a strong appeal to devotees of the Little Flower. Some of the production values are weak and maybe that's why it has a lower rating. My wife and I really enjoy this film, however, and strongly commend it to families with children, particularly girls.

"Witness to Hope" (2002) IMDB rating 8.8 (only 24 votes, however)
Based on George Weigel's wonderful biography of Pope John Paul II, this documentary follows this life from his youth through the latter years of his pontificate. JPII's story is inspiring to non-Catholics and Catholics alike and this documentary is a worthy effort.

"The Wrong Man" (1956) IMDB rating 7.5
"The Wrong Man" is an unusual Hitchcock film for a couple of reasons: First, it makes overt reference to religious imagery; and second, it's based on a true story. Henry Fonda plays a musician who is mistakenly identified as the perpetrator of a crime - a very common Hitchcock theme. However, I think you'll find that this subtle and unusual film is a compelling portrayal of a man who, though close to despair, ultimately comes closer to Christ by embracing the cross that he is given. This is an unsettling, but ultimately edifying film.

Other movies that you might consider for your family's Lenten cycle
Angels with Dirty Faces (family), Babette’s Feast (dialogue heavey & subtitled - older kids on up), Becket (family), Bella (older kids on up), Brother Sun Sister Moon (family & hippies), Champions of Faith (family, especially MLB fans), Chariots of Fire (family), Lilies of the Field (family), The Mission (Caution: graphic violence, non-erotic nudity and disturbing thematic elements), On the Waterfront (family), Romero (Caution: graphic violence, disturbing thematic elements) and Song of Bernadette.