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Films

The films listed here deal with a variety of religious themes and may be of use in the classroom. Themes are indicated and in many cases helpful clips are suggested. In fact using clips may be a lot more effective in education than showing whole films, which take up several classes, dissipating the impact. Also, some of the films may not in their entirety be very appropriate, but may contain some clips that will illustrate a point nicely.

Amazing Grace (2007)
This is an inspiring film that tells the story on the campaign to abolish slavery in England, focussing on the efforts of William Wilberforce to get an anti-slavery bill through Parliament. It moves slowly, goes back and forward in time quite a bit, but still holds the attention. There are so many clips that could be used in religion class, and not just on slavery and justice issues. For example there's an early sequence where Wilberforce tries to discern his vocation in life - torn between the work of God and his political activities. Eventually he believes he can do both by campaigning against slavery. Other useful clips include a scene where he meets his mentor John Newton, writer of the song Amazing Grace and a former slave ship owner who is now haunted (metaphorically) by the ghosts of the slaves he carried. The representation of slavery is not that graphic, but there are descriptions in another early scene where a group of like minded friends gather at table to discuss the issue with Wilberforce, and later when some well off citizens are given a close quarters experience of a slave ship. The scenes where he addresses parliament should also be useful in holding students' attention and introducing issues.
The Execution of Private Slovik (1974)
I saw this film many years ago and it made a lasting impact. It's the true story of Eddie Slovik (played superbly by Martin Sheen) the only American soldier to be executed since the Civil War - he was shot for desertion in World War Two. It is simple basic and hard hitting, and as moving as when it was first made. It is not in the least heavy handed in it's message, and some viewers may even find Slovik a somewhat unsympathetic character. Two scenes in particular are useful for class - around the middle of the film the chaplain talks to the firing squad about the morality of it all, and towards the end there is Slovik's final experience of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He prays on the way to execution, but this scene is tough going and may not be suitable for younger classes at least. And without the context of the full film the emotional impact wouldn't be the same.
Man For All Seasons, A (1966)
Oscar winning account of the conflict between Henry VIII and St Thomas Moore. Paul Schofield is outstanding as Moore and script by Robert Bolt is intelligent. Students may find the full film hard to concentrate on, but there is an excellent scene in the jail near the end where Moore's family try to persuade him to capitulate and be set free - enough here for a few classes on morality and standing up for your principles. This is followed by the dramatic courtroom scene which should hold the students' attention big time.
Mission, The (1986)
Another literate screenplay by Robert Bolt in this sweeping epic of idealistic Jesuit missionaries in South America at the time of the Conquistadores. I've seen the historical accuracy questioned on some details, and the portrayal of the conniving Church authorities is rather stereotyped, but Ray McAnally does humanise the Cardinal somewhat. The main characters, played superbly by Jeremy Irons and Robert de Niro are complex and fascinating. One of the best scenes for classroom use, especially when dealing with the topic of reconciliation, is early in the film when the priest (Irons) challenges de Niro's devastated slave trader (he has killed his brother over a woman) to design a fitting penance. This is followed by a beautiful sequence, mostly visual, when he carries his burden, literally and metaphorically, to the people he has enslaved. The full film is probably too long for classroom use, the violence is quite strong and there is some ethnic nudity.

The Passion of the Christ (2004)
Mel Gibson's controversial portrayal of the Passion is recently out on video/DVD. Some will have qualms about showing the whole film in a school context, even in senior classes, the opening scenes in the Garden of Gethsemane might be useful to illustrate the theme of temptation.

Raining Stones (1994)
English film by campaigning director Ken Loach. This one features an unemployed man's efforts to get the best gear for his daughter's First Communion, despite advice to the contrary from his local priest, played with genuine sympathy by Tom Hickey. It's funny and poignant by turns as the loving parent tries to maintain the family dignity. Two scenes are striking - one where the father struggles to explain the Eucharist, and one where he goes to the priest for a late night Confession. The film has an over-15 cert and there are a few F-Words, but it's heart is in the right place.
Romero (1989)
Earnest and effective biography of Bishop Romero of El Salvador. Raul Julia is excellent in the title role, showing the bishop moving from academic to concerned social reformer as he experiences first hand the sufferings of his people. The secondary characters aren't as well drawn, some being there merely to represent different points of view. Two scenes of particular use in the classroom are when Romero comes to retrieve the Eucharist from a church occupied by the military - this is tense and shocking in a way; there's also the last few minutes when we hear Romero speaking out against the repression on the radio as the assassin prepares to kill him and does, as the Bishop is saying Mass. The film has an over-15 cert which is about right.

Sophie Scholl: The Final Days
A striking about a young student, motivated by her Christian faith, campaigning against the Nazis in Germany during the war. The religious element is there, but subtly integrated. In German, with English subtitles, it is riveting as we see her interrogated by the German police, and all the more poignant as it is based on real events. Julia Jentsch does a brilliant job in the main role. Despite the setting there is no graphic violence, but there is plenty of tension. One scene of particular use in class starts with Sophie praying one night in prison, leading to a scene with her interrogator where conscience is discussed.

Static (1985)
This is a weird one. Keith Gordon plays Ernie Blick, an imaginative young inventor who claims to have invented a TV that can tune in Heaven. He also collects distorted crucifixes from the crucifix factory where he works! Food for discussion there. I've heard people claiming that it's blasphemous and others accusing it of ramming religion down their throats. It's certainly intriguing. The fact that it's hard to categorise was illustrated when the merchandising for the video version sought to portray it as science fiction, but it has been well received by the critics. The tone is ambiguous - are we meant to take it all seriously or is it just delicious irony? One of the best scenes for classroom use is when Ernie reveals his invention to his friends and family - the scene should hold students as its rich in anticipation - we don't know until this moment what the great invention is. It could be a useful component in discussions on the afterlife, and it has resonances of the Tower of Babel story. The relationship between Ernie and a childhood friend (quirky but moving performance by Amanda Plummer) is platonic but very warm. There are about two F-words and some minor vulgarities in the film, which received an over-15 cert on video. Director: Mark Romanek
We Were Soldiers (2002)
Though it's a graphic war film, this account of a battle in the early days of the Vietnam War may be of interest. Mel Gibson plays a real life caring commander, whose main interest is the safety of his men, who find themselves pinned down after landing unaware into a huge base of Vietnamese soldiers. He is a spiritual person, prays a lot, and seems to be genuine about it, though in one early scene his prayers in church with a fellow soldier falls rather short of respect for the enemy. However the overall viewpoint of the film is respectful to the Vietnamese soldiers. There are also some moving scenes as word of casualties arrives back at this company's base in the USA.
A Walk to Remember (2002)
Here's a novelty - a trendy teen film whose heroine is genuinely religious. The opening is dramatic and the film holds the attention with its fine charaterisations. It is not overbearing in its positive messages and that's not all that's going on. Apart from faith it deals with relationships, school bullying, marriage and death. Hard to fault though the ending is somewhat sentimental.