10 Classic Movies That All Catholics Should See

by Kenneth PierceBest Of Catholic-Link.org | Our Most Popular Catholic Resources And Articles, Family, Movie Reviews and Recommendations

There are a lot of good movies out there, with high production quality and deep messages, though perhaps not as many as we would like.

Once in a while, a film will come along that manages to introduce us to key aspects of the Catholic faith, allowing us to glimpse timeless truths through the language of cinema.

These movies become windows to the essentials; they give color, sound and voice to that which is invisible to the eye, yet is fundamental to understanding the Christian life. These movies may not be Catholic, but they are certainly films from which we can gain deep spiritual insight.

10 Classic Movies That All Catholics Should See

</p> <section> <h2>Our list of 10 Classic Movies that all Catholics should see:</h2> <div>There are a lot of good movies out there, with high production quality and deep messages, though perhaps not as many as we would like.</div> <div></div> <div>Once in a while, a film will come along that manages to <b>introduce us to key aspects of faith, allowing us to glimpse timeless truths through the language of cinema. </b>These movies become windows to the essentials; they give color, sound and voice to that which is invisible to the eye, yet is fundamental to understanding the Christian life.</div> </section> <section> <h3>1. Babette’s Feast (1987):</h3> <div><i>Babette’s Feast</i> is a Danish drama (and is one of Pope Francis’s favorites!). The story –which takes place in a remote coastal village– seems simple but it holds deep analogies to Christianity. It is a great virtue of this film that it shows us, with subtle beauty, <b>that</b> <b>which operates underneath the surface is something much deeper, </b>and, in the end, is nothing else but the Grace of God that transforms and opens hearts to Him. Simple, sensible human experiences, like a dinner party, remind and reawaken people who’ve grown weary, that life is beautiful. In <i>Babette’s Feast</i>, an authentic feast of joy, each guest will discover a deeper sense of life, full of beauty and truth.</div> </section> <section> <h3>2. The Mission (1986):</h3> <div>A great film whose revolves around a Jesuit mission in Paraguay, <b>this story tells a profound message of forgiveness and reconciliation, </b>as well as painting a vivid picture of the work of missionaries in 18th Century South America. The film portrays the awesomeness of human potential, love of God and neighbor, virtue and redemption, but it does not shy away from darker facets of man’s heart. Composer Ennio Morricone’s musical score to <i>The Misison</i> is itself a masterpiece.</div> </section> <section> <h3>3. Of Gods and Men (2010):</h3> <div>This film relates the true story of a community of Trappist monks in Algeria, seven of whom were who were assassinated during the Algerian Civil War of 1996. The movie is not an over-sentimentalized tribute to the courage of seven men, nor is it a tale of resignation to unfortunate events. Rather, it is the opposite, <b>a spark of hope that enlightens a world full of hate and violence</b>, and it is precisely because the story of these men is also a call for decisive action, even when this means choosing, for love of God, to trust Him absolutely.</div> </section> <section> <h3>4. Ben-Hur (1959):</h3> <div>This classic film is a production that leads us to meet the historical figure of Jesus. We follow Ben-Hur on his epic journey from nobility to slavery in the galleys, from servant to liberty as adopted son of a wealthy Roman, from triumph and acclaim to suffering and despair of his loved ones, and we meet with another person that seems to accompany him from a distance: Jesus Christ. <b>Ben-Hur is always a man on a quest, and his heart will be restless until it reaches what he really craves: the face of Christ.</b></div> </section> <section> <h3>5. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946):</h3> <div>Another classic film set during the Christmas season. This film makes us understand the value of honest service to others, and reminds us to measure our actions not by their immediate results but instead by their permanent effects. “<b>No man is a failure who has friends,”</b> says Clarence. Neither can the man or woman who loves and is loved be deemed <i>a failure</i>. At the end of the movie, while the bells of the church ring and the birth of the Lord is celebrated, who came not to seek His own glory, but to do good and be of service to humanity, the despair of the protagonist becomes joy and closeness to all those around him, and the voices rise, no longer in pleas for help, but in song, rejoicing in the glory of God’s birth at Christmas.</div> </section> <section> <h3>6. The Flowers of War (2011):</h3> <div>This film tells the story of the slaughter of the city of Nanjing (China), which occurred in 1937. <i>The Flowers of War</i> is a tough film, but is full of beauty and an important message. It is, in a way, a song of hope for the human heart which, even when it is hurt by evil, can still find a way to overcome selfishness and opt for the good of the other. It also teaches us not to despair of the human condition, capable of so much destruction and violence, but also capable of extraordinary dedication and abnegation. <b>At the same time, it reminds us to learn how to not judge by externals. </b>Sometimes, the worst sinners are the ones who discover more strongly their need for love and mercy, and that way they become able to kneel and walk the humble path of all the prodigal children of humanity.</div> </section> <section> <h3>7. The Tree of Life (2011):</h3> <div>This production by Terrence Malick perhaps has a great defect which is, at the same time, its greatest virtue: an attempt to show – cinematically – an all-encompassing vision of the mystery of Creation, sin and the love of God in the life of man; a mystery that is impossible to depict entirely. The film’s analogous language is perhaps hard to understand, but the beauty of its execution and its thematic depth is undeniable. It is, therefore, a <b>beautiful attempt to show with images the mystery of life,</b> which involves the action of God, man’s response, liberty, suffering, eternal life, among many other topics for our reflection.</div> </section> <section> <h3>8. Miracle of Marcelino (1955):</h3> <div>A beautiful Spanish film about an orphaned boy who is taken in by a monastery. He makes us laugh with his mischief, suffer and cry to find, as the monks do, the simplicity and kindness in the heart of a child, and, above all, his ability to speak with God. <b>A film of extraordinary tenderness that, at the same time, awakens our desire for a deep, natural and daily encounter with God and the Virgin Mary.</b></div> </section> <section> <h3>9. Les Misérables (2012):</h3> <div>One of the most important productions of recent times and a great adaption of the musical based on Victor Hugo’s classic 1862 novel. It is hard to summarize or highlight the film’s most important and interesting aspects. In short, it <b>shows the best and worst of humanity,</b> with many of its complexities, hopes, joys, failures and pains. The epic is interspersed with comedy; love goes hand-in-hand with pain, happiness with detachment; and the road that separates happiness from bitterness and despair is sometimes a fine line where the intentions and the right or wrong use of liberty decides battles on a grandiose scope.</div> </section> <section> <h3>10. I Confess (1953):</h3> <div>A famous production by Alfred Hitchcock that revolves around the seal of the Confessional. While on one level it highlights the mystery and suspense of the story itself – a well-crafted thriller in any era – underneath the particulars are the bigger themes of courage and sacramental vows. Father Michael Logan is spiritually bound to <b>protect the sacramental seal and to be loyal to his priestly commitments, </b>even when this carries dangerous implications to his own life. This is a potent lesson for our times. It is, at the same time, a story of pardon and love, especially to the one who hurts us.</div> </section> <section> <h3>(Bonus) Letters to God (2009):</h3> <div>And, finally, here is a bonus…! Letters to God is a beautiful allegory of the Christian life as seen through the eyes of a child with a terminal illness. It does not seek to circumvent the toughness of the disease, nor to present a rosy view of life. Teaching us what is truly valuable in life when it is illuminated by what God has revealed us, Letters to God is a film full of tenderness, compassion, and – paradoxically to human eyes – joy and peace amidst suffering. It is, in this sense, an entire catechesis on the Christian life.</div> </section> </p> <p>

12 Children’s Books To Read For The 12 Days Of Christmas

Catholic-Link Donations donate donation donor

Catholic Movie Review 10 Questions Worth Asking Before Watching A Movie

Celebrate Soon-to-Be-Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati!

Kid's sizes are now available!

Keep Searching, Keep Learning

Our Newest Articles:

Catholic Gifts 2024 | Our Annual Catholic Christmas Gift Guide Is Here!

by Catholic-Link. Org | Nov 21, 2024 | December, Gift Guides

Every year, it’s truly inspiring to see the incredible creativity the Holy Spirit provides the artists, designers, authors, and entrepreneurs featured in Catholic-Link.org's Christmas Catholic Gift Guide. Creating this list is a joy because Catholic-Link is...

Catholic Books To Read And Give This Christmas

by Catholic-Link. Org | Nov 18, 2024 | Books | Our Favorite Catholic Books To Read, Gift Guides, January

Searching for Catholic books that make the perfect gift..for a friend or for yourself?! Our 2024 Catholic Book Guide has something special for every reader, from kids and teens to adults of all ages. We’ve handpicked a selection of inspiring, faith-filled Catholic...

4 Practical Ways To Inspire Your Teen’s Faith Journey

by Lucas Wollschlager | Dec 13, 2024 | Family, March, Outstanding Initiatives

What comes to mind when you think about raising a teenager in today's world? Technology overload? Social media addiction? The constant struggle against anxiety and being overwhelmed? It's easy to focus on the challenges, isn't it? But what if we shifted our...

6 Books To Give Non-Catholics

by Genevieve Perkins | Dec 12, 2024 | Apologetics, Books | Our Favorite Catholic Books To Read, December

This book list does not contain the predictable apologetics works. Those books are mostly written for you to read as a believer and be able to convey the truths with clarity and compassion in conversation with others. However, the latter are not conversation starters...

A ‘Closet Catholic’ Finds Faith To Write A New Christmas Hymn

by Thomas Raniszewski | Dec 5, 2024 | Christmas

A SONG IS CONCIEVED It didn’t take long for our dinner conversation in July 2022 to find itself deep in the discussion of music, particularly of our own. With a B.A. in music from Rowan University and several published songs and compositions to my credit, I had been...

My Spirtiual Journey With St. Joseph Led To Writing This Christmas Hymn

by Fr. Ed Namiotka | Dec 4, 2024 | Christmas, Music | A Selection Of Our Favorite Catholic And Christian Songs and Artists

St. Joseph has been accompanying me since my youth and this latest accomplishment—the song I co-wrote with Tom Raniszewski, “The Carpenter’s Son”—is but another time he has influenced my thinking and lifelong spiritual journey. When I began elementary school at St....

Jesus In The Womb: Month 9

by Melissa Flen | Dec 2, 2024 | December, Jesus Christ

Your Lord and Savior is Now the Size of a Watermelon! Advent has officially begun! The final month has finally arrived and Baby Jesus will soon be born. The last month in the womb is spent with baby Jesus preparing for his birth. He is inhaling and exhaling...

Four Types Of People Dorothy Day’s Story Speaks To

by Anna Huntzinger | Nov 30, 2024 | November, Saints, Social Justice

“We cannot love God without first loving each other, and to love, we must know each other.”Dorothy Day This powerful quote encapsulates what sparked a massive 20th-century movement that changed many people’s lives. It was spoken by a woman who sought to improve the...

A Teen Gives Advice To Peers On How To Love God In Today’s World

by Will Henry | Nov 26, 2024 | Faith & Life, Family, Sacraments

During our teenage years, our relationship with the Lord begins to change. As children, we typically love Him without caring about the details. We love Him with the love of a child with wonder, often praised in the Gospels. However, when we begin our teenage years, we...

Five Steps To Teaching Kids To Conquer Sin

by Dr. John R. Wood | Nov 25, 2024 | Books | Our Favorite Catholic Books To Read, Family, March, Sin

Sin can be a challenging concept to teach to children, especially in today’s world where sin is not only tolerated but often celebrated. But as Christians, we know that sin is real and it damages our relationship with God. We are in a spiritual battle…good versus...

Why Are There Angels Around The Tabernacle?

by Fr. George Elliott | Nov 23, 2024 | Apologetics, Catholic Church, May

Why Are There Angels Around The Tabernacle? What You Need To Know About Angels Near The Tabernacle Tabernacle: comes from the Latin word tabernaculum which means ‘abode’, the house of God. There I will meet you and there, from above the cover, between the two cherubim...

« Older Entries

Kenneth Pierce

Kenneth Pierce is 35 years old. He studied theology in Lima, Peru. His is the author of the book “The Gift Room” and the “The Spiritual Ladder of Saint Peter”

Celebrate Bl. Pier Giorgio's Canonization with our new gear!

Search Catholic-Link

10 Classic Movies That All Catholics Should See

10 Classic Movies That All Catholics Should See

Celebrate Soon-to-Be-Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati!

Keep Searching, Keep Learning

Our Newest Articles:

Catholic Gifts 2024 | Our Annual Catholic Christmas Gift Guide Is Here!

Catholic Books To Read And Give This Christmas

4 Practical Ways To Inspire Your Teen’s Faith Journey

6 Books To Give Non-Catholics

A ‘Closet Catholic’ Finds Faith To Write A New Christmas Hymn

My Spirtiual Journey With St. Joseph Led To Writing This Christmas Hymn

Jesus In The Womb: Month 9

A Teen Gives Advice To Peers On How To Love God In Today’s World

Five Steps To Teaching Kids To Conquer Sin

Why Are There Angels Around The Tabernacle?

Celebrate Bl. Pier Giorgio's Canonization with our new gear!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Pin It on Pinterest