The Stories That Stay with Us: Movies to Watch This Christmas

BreakPoint ^ | 2 Dec 03 | Chuck Colson

[Mr. Silverback]

In the rush of the Christmas season one thing is certain these days, and that is that people will spend time watching movies on VCR or DVD players. But which movies? Let me suggest a few that make solid worldview points.

First, let me make it clear: I’m not suggesting that you always have to watch movies just to get a lesson out of them. That’s not what movies, or stories in general, are about. A good movie is just that, but movies, at the same time, do shape our thinking. It’s no accident that, for the most part, the movies and stories that stay with us are the ones that dramatize truths about the human condition—like our fallen nature, our need for a Redeemer, our dependence on each other, good and evil. And the movies I suggest are like that.

One of the most popular Christmas movies ever is Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life, a film that’s appropriate for all ages. The movie is about a businessman who spends his life giving up what he wants to help others. And then one day he finds himself in desperate need of help, and he’s rescued by an angel. There’s a reason people watch this movie again and again: Though it is a simple story, it reaffirms the value of faith, life, and friendship.

Another classic, for older children and adults, is To Kill a Mockingbird. In Depression-era Alabama, a white lawyer defends an innocent black man on rape charges. The movie clearly shows the depravity of human nature and the tragedy of prejudice. And it also portrays an unforgettable story about the eternal impact a good father has on his children.

There are more recent classics, like Saving Private Ryan. This is not a movie for children. But older teenagers and adults who can handle its graphic depiction of war will be deeply moved by the struggle of a group of soldiers assigned to rescue a single private. It’s a timely reminder of both the horrifying realities of war and the words of Jesus: “Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” The ending is worth the cost of the rental.

A very different wartime story is told in the Italian film Life Is Beautiful. In it a devoted father shelters his young son from the brutal realities of a World War II labor camp by turning the whole experience into a game. Is it possible to tell a comic story against such a horrific backdrop? Some people thought it was a sacrilege, trivializing the horrors of prison; I think it’s a beautiful depiction of the biblical principle of bringing good out of evil.

Finally, for those in your family who enjoy getting scared out of their wits, I recommend the film Signs, in which a former minister tries to defend his family against an invasion from space. Signs is not a typical alien flick. It has subtlety, humor, and nail-biting suspense—and it gradually develops into a strong affirmation of faith.

This list is only a starting point. You can get my complete list by calling us here at BreakPoint. And, of course, you and your family might benefit from Ted Baehr’s very helpful family guide to the movies, What We Can Watch Tonight. With the right movie and the right attitude, a little family time around the TV can be a life-changing experience, a Christmas gift you’ll long remember.

[Politicalmom]

Forgot The Santa Clause and of COURSE A Christmas Story.

[dts32041]

I forgot on "Scrooged" any movie directed by the director of "Lethal Weapon" and "The banana Splits hour", has to make a great Christmas movie.

[AnAmericanMother]

You're right, it needs a digital remastering in the worst way. Volume and quality are very erratic, and the sound men still hadn't gotten the hang of blending music and dialogue. The score itself is also a little heavy-handed in places, but I guess it's not fair to complain about that.

My kids LOVE this film. They have already watched it for the FIRST time this Christmas season, and I guess they'll watch it a dozen times more. The thing I love best is that Brian Desmond-Hurst and the scriptwriters hewed very close to Dickens's story - to the point that you can sit with the book open on your lap and follow the action and the dialogue.

One thing I don't understand is why they changed the book with respect to Scrooge's former sweetheart. In the book, the Ghost of Christmas Present shows him her happy family and all her beautiful children, including her daughter who is the living image of his sweetheart as he remembers her. In the movie, instead she is shown ministering to the poor in the workhouse as a lonely maiden lady. The movie version misses Scrooge's heartbreak as he realizes that that happy household and lovely children could have been his . . . maybe they thought it detracted from the scenes of Christmas jollity with Scrooge's nephew and his wife . . . ?

[DeepDish]

I'll put in a second nod for Miracle on 34th Street. The whole movie comes together at the end when the old man's cane is found. It makes you wonder.

[Armedanddangerous]

Elf was an excellent Christmas movie, even IF the biggest commie in Hollywood was playing Saint Nick. I recommend it to everyone. I think there was maybe one bad word in it, and it went by so fast I doubt the kids would catch it anyway. Another thing is, that movie was funny without insulting kids or adults. Kind of like the old Bugs Bunny cartoons.

[Blzbba]

""The banana Splits hour", "


Thanks for putting THIS tune in my head!!

1 banana
2 banana
3 banana
4
5 bananas makes a bunch
and so does many more!


TraLaLa! Tralalala! Tralala! Tralalala!

(curse you!! :) )

[Blzbba]

"I forgot that surly old Son of a Lou Grant. He was a horrible Santa Claus, utterly grouchy and devoid of any good will and Christmas Spirit. "


So the role wasn't much of a stretch for ol' Ed A$$ner?

[Junior]

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation...

[dts32041]

Donavon's Reef John Wayne, Jack Warden, and Lee Marvin, what more can you ask for a chirstmas.

[Tree of Liberty]

Santa Clause VS The Martians

Does anyone know if the Mystery Science Theater 3000 version of this is on DVD? I saw this once ten years ago and it was one of the funniest things I'd ever seen. Though, I'm sure it helped that I was sick and high on Nyquil.

[dts32041]

It could have been Ding Fries are Done, how is that for putting you in the christmas mood?

[mel]

Gee you beat me to it. I love that line. Classic

[Armedanddangerous]

And the line from the bad guy Hans to the fellow drilling the vault.. "It's Christmas, it's the time for miracles."

[Mr. Silverback]

I have to disagree. Though you make a good point (the best way to deal with the question is the Pain is Temporary, Heaven is Eternal argument) the movie also portays a present, active and caring God, and the main character doesn't just wander off to "experience God" in some kind of Bhuddist/infinitely-extended-rice-pudding kind of way once his faith is confirmed, he goes straight back to being a full-time worker in Christ's harvest field. Many Hollywood types would simply have had the character conclude that there is a God but the church doesn't have the answers.

Signs isn't perfect, but it certainly doesn't lead anyone in the wrong direction.

[Jim Cane]

Does anyone know if the Mystery Science Theater 3000 version of this is on DVD?

I'm going to say "yes" even though I don't know, because it's never stopped me in the past.

MST3K Rocks! I wish I had seen Tom Servo serve up a dish of creamed Pia Zadora.

[XJarhead]

For those who enjoyed the ol' Rankin & Bass holiday specials from the 60s, you're in for an extra treat.

The Heat Miser from "The Year Without A Santa Claus" is awesome.

My favorite line from "A Christmas Story" is when mom drops dad's Christmas gift, a bowling ball, onto his lap.

"Oh look, a blue ball". Went right over my head until the third time I saw it.

[Newbomb Turk]

Not a movie but the Charlie Brown Christmas, The Grinch who stole Christmas ( origional TV version) and Frosty the Snowman.

Charlie Brown is on ABC tonight. It's only thing good on ABC except Monday Night Football!

[Armedanddangerous]

Signs was a great movie, and had a very positive religious message, but for me, there was one problem with it.

The reverend's home had to be the ONLY farmhouse in Pennsylvania with a deer rifle, or a 22, or a shotgun. Do you think most families out there would be hiding in the basement weaponless when a bunch of creepy aliens were trying to get in?

[cschroe]

The season isn't complete in my house without "The Year Without a Santa Claus". How can you go through Christmas without the Miser brothers, Heat and Snow?

[Mr. Silverback]

The Scott version of A Christmas Carol is one of the best ever. The coldness he exhibits pre-Marley is just the way it should be played.