Rhemalogy

Usually, a movie review is posted here. But since this is Passion Week, we found it befitting to list a few movies we usually watch this time of year. And we also wanted to know if you had any favorites among this list or some that were not listed you would like to tell us about.

King of Kings is a favorite fixture in our VHS collection. It is safe to say this movie stands as our family’s traditional Easter film. The film is a dramatization of the story of Jesus of Nazareth (Jeff Hunter) from his birth and ministry to his crucifixion and resurrection, with much dramatic license. Whenever we see Jesus carrying the cross it really touches my heart to the core. First released in 1961, this movie is 2 hours and 41 minutes. King of Kings can be streamed on Amazon Prime.

The Passion of the Christ stars Jim Caviezel (The Count of Monte Cristo) and Monica Bellucci. Directed by Mel Gibson. This film is the closest to true scriptural interpretation. As it depicts the last twelve hours of Jesus’ life. A difficult film for me to watch as it always leaves me in tears. There are just so many memorable moments in this film. Caviezel was excellent in his role as the Christ. Originally released in 2004. The film is 2 hours and 6 minutes long and can be seen on Amazon Prime, Vudu, and NordVPN.

Forty Nights. The character story about Christ (DJ Perry) beginning at his baptism by John the Baptist (Terry Jernigan) and ending with his wilderness quest. Here Jesus reflects on his childhood and the events that shaped his life. We found this movie to be interesting because you see how Satan is constantly antagonizing him in greater depth. More than we have seen in previous films. Released in 2016. The film is 1 hour and 26 minutes and can be seen on Amazon Prime, Pluto TV, and Tubi TV.

Amid all these adult films, children may want to see something to which they can relate. There could be no better movie than It’s the Easter Beagle Charlie Brown. Frameworked after Linuses “Great Pumpkin”, he is now trying to convince the Peanuts gang that the Easter Beagle will make a holiday appearance on Sunday morning.  After the not-so-convincing “Great Pumpkin” debacle, the crew isn’t easily convinced and to put a finer point on it is quite skeptical. True to Mr. Shutz’s form, this movie will not only be entertaining to the children but the adult audience as well.

Ben Hur. The family’s loyal slave, the merchant Simonides (Sam Jaffe), pays a visit to his daughter, Esther (Haya Harareet). Seeing each other for the first time since childhood, Judah and Esther fall in love, but she is betrothed to another. Judah’s childhood friend, the Roman citizen Messala (Stephen Boyd), is now a tribune. After several years away from Jerusalem, Messala returns as the new commander of the Roman garrison, the Fortress of Antonia. Messala believes in the glory of Rome and its imperial power, while Judah is devoted to his faith and the freedom of the Jewish people. This difference causes tension between the friends and results in their split after Messala issues an ultimatum demanding that Judah deliver potential rebels amongst the populace to the Roman authorities. Released in 1956. The film is 3 hours and 42 minutes long and can be rented on Amazon for $3.99.

No Resurrection Sunday would be complete without The Greatest Story Ever Told. With an all-star cast comprised of Telly Savalas as Pilate, Sidney Poitier as Simon of Cyrene, Shelley Winters as the woman with the issue of blood healed by touching Christ’s garment, and the late Max von Sydow as an authoritative yet compassionate Jesus the Christ. In its era, the film did not get any good reviews. However, it is still a good movie to watch as it lends a more in-depth look at the life of Christ from a reverent and religious dimension not seen in other films. Released in 1965. This film is 3 hours and 19 minutes long and can be seen on Amazon Prime or rented for $3.99 and $4.99 on Amazon.

Do you have any movies you would like to add? Or comments on the ones listed above?

Ben Hur’s information was gathered from Wikipedia.

© Rhema International. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission, from this blog’s author and/or owner, is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Rhema International.