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What are some other recommended strong Catholic-themed movies?

posted 15 years ago by genplant29
16 replies | jump to latest

I'm a cradle Catholic, who was raised in all of the traditions and beliefs, and continue to practice the faith (though am no longer devout), and totally gobble up a movie like this, as I so "get" it. Catholic religious life, or otherwise an all-pervasive Catholic overtone, or underlying theme, as depicted in movies, greatly appeals to me. What are some other strong Catholic-themed movies (I don't mean bland reverent biopics, but more so thought-provoking type films - with some edge is always a plus) that others can recommend? Some that I can think of are The Nun's Story, Agnes of God, and the t.v. miniseries version of Brideshead Revisited. I'm not interested in Catholic-bashing movies, but in films that, like the above (I Confess), treat Catholicism respectfully, even if conflicting views, and some scandalous story-lines, may be involved. Any recommendations?

[–] Prof_Lostiswitz 15 years ago

Ma Vie en Cinemascope.

[–] bastasch8647 15 years ago

The Cardinal
The Shoes of the Fisherman
The Song of Bernadette
Black Robe
The Agony and the Ecstasy
Becket
Joan of Arc
A Man for All Seasons
The Nun's Story
Going My Way/The Bells of St. Mary's
On the Waterfront
Lilies of the Field
The Exorcist/Exorcist 3: Legion/ Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist
The Ninth Configuration

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] slokes 14 years ago

Bastasch's recommendation of "The Ninth Configuration" is pretty much mine. It's the one Catholic movie with a capital C to see, and it's not what you expect. Oddly, "A Man For All Seasons", while excellent, too, is a film written and directed by non-Catholics. This is funny because when you compare it to "Ninth Configuration", written and directed by the devoutly Catholic William Peter Blatty, you will probably be surprised at how much less profane and blasphemous the great "Man For All Seasons" is. But if you watch "Ninth Configuration" as much as me, you begin to feel like it's Stations Of The Cross.

I did see "Passion Of The Christ", and thought it was excellent, but "Ninth Configuration" is something else again.

[–] 14 years ago

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[–] TooSlim 13 years ago

Heaven Knows Mr Allison

[–] HomerParrish 13 years ago

Don't forget some kids movies:

Boys Town
The Trouble With Angels
Where Angels Go, Troubles Follows
Angels in the Outfield

[–] Bree_33 12 years ago

The Bells of St Mary's, w/ Ingrid Bergman.

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[–] guiltyrain 11 years ago

"Mass Appeal" starring Jack Lemmon, the late Charles Durning and one of my favourite actors, Zeljko Ivanek.

[–] happyguy99993 11 years ago

The Mission (Roland Joffe is an underrated director).

I'm not going there to die. I'm going to find out if I'm really alive.

[–] joedonato234 11 years ago

Try:
THE FLOWERS OF ST. FRANCIS (Roberto Rosselini)
THE MIRACLE OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA (1950)
MEET JOHN DOE Frank Capra's Christ allegory
THE TROUBLE WITH ANGELS Gentle comedy mixed with real emotions and a good look at religious life.
THE MISSION (1986) DeNiro & Irons
ORDET Carl Dreyer's masterpiece. Shattering.
ANGEL'S WITH DIRTY FACES (1938)
FRIENDLY PERSUASION (1956) about Quakers, with broader appeal
RESURRECTION with Ellen Burstyn. Very spiritual.
as well as the others mentioned

[–] MichaelMartinDeSapio 11 years ago

Hitchcock's THE WRONG MAN has significant Catholic overtones.

[–] MurfTO 10 years ago

Child's Play (1972)
Absolution (1978)
The Runner Stumbles (1979)
True Confessions (1981)
Priest (1994)

[–] happyguy99993 9 years ago

I don't know if anyone is still paying attention to this thread, but a really excellent Catholic themed movie is My Night at Maud's. It's all about free will and identity, as told by a Catholic director.