Save Me!
Jesus is a pretty big guy in the Western world - known as one of the head honchos in a common religion, a nice chap of good moral fibre, or at least a keen facial-hair enthusiast. Whoever you believe this historical figure to be, you will most likely know of him and the main 'plot points' of his story (immaculate conception through self-sacrifice) and recognise that christian or not, filmmakers have often used these personal traits and events in their work. The films in this collection all incorporate (obviously and less so) this character and/or story arc, and show an interesting range of uses for them in a culture saturated with this particular religion.
Pictured: 'The Buddy Christ' - Kevin Smith brings Jesus to the kids in "Dogma".
The Matrix Revolutions ( Blu-ray ) (2003)
6.7/10
Director: The Wachowski Brothers
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Jada Pinkett S...
Everything that has a beginning has an end. With human saviour Keanu Reeves being held in limbo between the real world and the Matrix, only Laurence F... Read more
The Mission (1986)
7.5/10
Director: Roland Joffe
Starring: Aidan Quinn, Cherie Lunghi, Jeremy Irons, Liam Neeson, Ray McAnally, Robert De N...
A Jesuit mission in the jungles of Brazil is threatened by greedy merchants and political factions within the church itself, in the late 18th century.... Read more
The Nativity Story (2006)
6.8/10
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Starring: Keisha Castle-Hughes, Oscar Isaac, Hiam Abbass, Shaun Toub, Ciaran Hinds, Shohre...
Director of 'Thirteen', Catherine Hardwicke, uses her empathy for pregnant teens to good effect in telling the story that ends with the birth of baby... Read more
The Ruling Class (1972)
7.6/10
Director: Peter Medak
Starring: Peter O'Toole, Alastair Sim, Arthur Lowe
Outrageously funny satire features an Oscar-nominated performance by Peter O'Toole as a British earl who thinks he's Jesus Christ. Wicked barbs are th... Read more
The Sin Eater ( aka The Order ) (2003)
7/10
Director: Brian Helgeland
Starring: Heath Ledger, Shannyn Sossamon, Mark Addy, Benno Furmann, Peter Weller
AKA 'The Order' Oscar-winning screenwriter Brian Helgeland writes and directs the compelling religious thriller - renegade Catholic priest Heath Ledg... Read more
Touch (1997)
5.7/10
Director: Paul Schrader
Starring: Skeet Ulrich, Bridget Fonda, Christopher Walken
A satirical fable based on the Elmore Leonard novel about a young ex-monk who may have God-given healing powers and who is pursued by people seeking t... Read more
True Confessions (1981)
6.4/10
Director: Ulu Grosbard
Starring: Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, Burgess Meredith, Charles Durning, Ed Flanders, C...
In 1940's Los Angeles, Monsignor Desmond Spellacy (Robert De Niro), a rising star in the Catholic Church hierarchy, has a talent for fundraising that... Read more
Who Wrote the New Testament? (2005)
7.8/10
It's the most popular book of all time yet we don't have a single page or the smallest scrap of the original to refer to. Filmed in Israel, Egypt, Tu... Read more
Wise Blood (1979)
7.2/10
Director: John Huston
Starring: Brad Dourif, Harry Dean Stanton, Ned Beatty, Dan Shor
An unlikely religious leader (Brad Dourif) recruits a ragtag band of followers for his Church of Christ Without Christ in order to expose the hypocris... Read more
Yellow Submarine (1968)
7.4/10
Director: George Dunning
Starring: The Beatles, Blue Meanies
Join the greatest band of all time for this mind-blowing voyage into the unearthly paradise of Pepperland and save it from the Blue Meanies, with humo... Read more