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5 Christian Films Worth Seeing

A Follow Up to "What's Wrong with Christian Movies"

By Julia RisitanoPublished 6 years ago 8 min read
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I recently wrote a review of Christian films that featured a harsh critique from an honest perspective. While I meant what I said, I also realize that there are a few Christian films that have been a bit more honest about the world and life as a Christian. I will admit that a few more than five than have been made. However, I wanted to recognize these five films not just because they are faith-based but because of their cinematography, acting level, and authenticity.

One Foot in Heaven was based on a best-seller that was published around the time of the movie release. It follows Reverend William Spence throughout his ministry. The viewers watch as he goes through life living in several poor living conditions, grows as a person, and tries to help his congregation to be loving and not based on levels of society. After having a disagreement with one wealthy family, they leave his church and spread a rumor that Spence's son committed adultery. In this film, we see that the Christian life is not perfect or always happy, but God will provide a life to be content with.

Warner Brothers made this film! It may surprise people because one would not see Warner Brothers making a movie like this today. However, this means that the cinematography was up-to-date with all the other films during this time. The acting brings life to the characters and makes them believable. What I love most is the costumes, make-up, and scenery. Back in these days, Hollywood made everyone look gorgeous in an unrealistic way. But if you watch the film, the minister's family was made up of not the skinniest or most beautiful people. While they are all good-looking, they look like average people. And while they do not have the worst houses in the world, they definitely are never seen in any home that is elaborate. I would love to see this film get a re-make.

Treasures of the Snow was also based on a novel. Filmed in the Swiss Alps, the story begins with a boy named Lucien climbing in a mountain. He sees a boy, named Danny, sitting on a cliff with a new kitten. Lucien decides to take Danny's kitten and pretend that he will drop the kitten off the cliff. But Danny jumps after the kitten and falls over the cliff. Lucien tries different ways to make amends. Danny's family is very understanding, except for Danny's older sister Annette. She spreads rumors at school that Lucien pushed Danny off the cliff and takes every opportunity she can to make Lucien's life miserable. The story is about Lucien seeking forgiveness and Annette overcoming her bitterness for what was done to her brother.

Just the fact that this movie was filmed on location is beautiful. The cinematography and setting makes the movie look as though it is made up of animated paintings. The story is original and can be heart-wrenching. Many can relate to having horrible things happen to their families and friends and how difficult forgiveness can be in those circumstances. Treasures of the Snow captures the hurt and harm that can come from holding a grudge.

Brother Enemy is about about a high-school gang being given a second chance. It begins when the kids find out that they won't be able to play basketball in the school gym that summer, because the community is using it for performances by a television puppeteer. So they vandalize the building where he keeps the puppets. However, they are caught in the act and get arrested. The puppeteer (David) decides that instead of putting these teens in jail, he will have them help him make new puppets the entire summer and then perform for the community. David is not very excited about this project. However, he hopes that they will become better people as a result of working with him.

The story is incredibly original. One thing I like is that it David is not just trying to get them to be Christians so he can feel good about himself. He works with them because he cares about them becoming better people. I also appreciate how the film looks into each of the teens background and each of their stories is believable. It even shows an alcoholic father beating one of the teens. The scars were pretty graphic for a family film of the day. While it was made on a low budget by Heartline Productions, the story is so unique that it's worth seeing.

Based on Donald Miller's semi-autobiographical best-seller, Blue Like Jazz challenges every aspect of Christianity. Raised as a Christian, Don starts college soon after discovering that his mom has been having an affair with local church's married youth pastor. As a result, he decides to abandon everything that his mom taught him. He parties all the time, and becomes best friends with the school's prankster. Throughout his freshman year, he learns about becoming himself rather than who the crowd wants him to be. The audience also watches Don as he struggles to love his mom after dealing with her lies.

While the story is new to film, it is not new to most people. Many can relate to what Don goes through as he he realizes that his problem is not so much with Christianity as it is the mother, who taught him all he knows about Christianity. When this movie was produced, it was not advertised too much in Christian circles because: 1. it has some language, sexual humor, and Don becomes good friends with a lesbian at school 2. the writers and producers hoped that more people than just Christians would go and see it. Blue Like Jazz is well-scripted, filmed, and features some really good actors. While the Christian message is presented, these are some themes that could go in non-Christian films just as easily.

The Case for Christ is based on the book and true story. After Lee Strobel's wife becomes a Christian, Lee tries to prove her wrong because he fears for her sanity. He visits authors, professors, doctors, priests, and atheist-turned-Christians in hopes of proving that Jesus was never the son of God and never really rose from the grave. He believes that if he can find evidence that Jesus' story is simply mythical, then he can make his wife stop obsessing with Christianity. However, the more he tries to find evidence for God not being real, the more evidence Lee discovers that proves otherwise.

The Case for Christ is from the creators of God's Not Dead, which made me enter the movie theater as a skeptic, expecting it to be the next Christian flop. However, as I watched I grew impressed with all the detail. The story was set in the 70s, so every shirt, skirt, and hairstyle shown was that from the 70s. All the office supplies, hospital settings, and all other scenery looked like something from old TV shows during that era. The acting made me think of people I knew who had the same personalities as the characters. And the filmmakers has definitely done their research for the script. While Lee is very driven to prove his wife wrong, he is doing it because he loves her and wants the best for their marriage, not because he is trying to be a mean atheist. I left in awe at the fact that I should never have reason to doubt my faith again.

What makes these films stand out?

If you read my last article, "What's Wrong with Christian Movies," then you may have been thinking, "What makes these movies any better from the one's you criticized before"? So here's a few thoughts.

  1. All of the elements of each film were executed perfectly. All the costumes and sets were thought out to the last detail. The scripts were well-written. These films had many professional actors in them. The directors had made wise choices. The people who produced these films obviously wanted their messages to be seen and taken seriously.
  2. The scripts are so unique. I believe because the majority of these films were based on books, it is why the stories were well-thought-out and believable. And while one can usually spot the rookie actor in these films, the performances or so small that it does not take away from the film itself. The stories are not just ones that could only be done by Christians. Take the Christianity out of Brother Enemy, remake it, and it's the newest Disney film that's heart-warming for the whole family!
  3. You may be wondering why I didn't include your favorite Christian film into my list. First of all, I decided to narrow it down to five. Second, I may not have seen your favorite Christian film. And last, these are films that stand out from other Christian films. These are films that I would not mind showing to friends who have different beliefs than I do because great conversations could come out of it. The Christians in these films do not look down on others who are different than them. They are struggling and learning to do the best they can in life just like all of humanity.

If you have not read my article, "What's Wrong with Christian Movies," I encourage you to read it and see how these films measure up and maybe look at the your favorite movie with this perspective as well.

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About the Creator

Julia Risitano

Working girl from upstate NY, paying the bills and chasing the dreams. I like to express what no one else is talking about.

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