Posted on 08/16/2009 10:53:58 AM PDT by NYer
Passion of the Christ is more recent than the nearly tdn-year-old list. Also, the guy who compiled the list taught at Sarah Lawrence. His list does not suggest that he knows much about Catholicism or about Catholic films.
I saw that it was an older list, and you’re right. The knowledge of Catholic viewpoints of the author is somewhat to be desired.
What about any movies by that guy who was a friend of Myles Connolly? Sorry, can't recall who at the moment...
I like this topic very much. years ago I asked a few of my friends, all Catholics, to share a list of their favorite films, many of them turned out to be on religious topics. can’t put my hands on the list but here are a few that I remember: (I don’t claim that they are great films, but I do believe they are well worth watching)
The Reluctant Saint starring Maximillian Schell on the life of St. Joseph of Cupertino, a very humble franciscan friar who had the gift of ecstasy
The Devil at Four O’Clock starring Spencer Tracy and Frank Sinatra: depicts a flawed priest who nevertheless inspires the conversion of three hardened criminals who together sacrifice their lives for a group of orphans. It takes on new meaning after 9/11.
Wise Blood: Flannery O’Connor’s look at failed religion and redemption in America.
Jesus of Nazareth: Franco Zeffirelli’s sometimes sentimental but more often powerful and inspiring presentation of the main gospel passages.
Brother Sun, Sister Moon: another of Zeffirelli’s films, this time on St. Francis of Assisi. Even more sentimental, yet touching presentation which captures several aspects of the greatness of St. Francis: his love for each human being and for all God’s creation.
Three other films which appeared on my friends’ lists which I think have some importance:
Henry V: Kenneth Branagh’s inspired presentation of a Catholic monarch
The Court Jester: Danny Kaye shows how even the most inept person is capable of accomplishing great things in pursuit of high ideals.
La Strada: in one of the scenes shows the true face of the Church’s concern for the poor and oppressed in the person of an angelic nun.
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