Christian vs Secular Movies

[Jason]

As someone who ocasionally writes films, I'm long been against doing something for a Christian audience since it seems like preaching to the choir and it's frankly more fun to write secular (though somewhat parabolic) stories. However, lately I'm starting to realize that, considering the current state of the church (myself included), perhaps the choir needs some preaching. My question for all of you is this: Have you been more impacted by secular films or Christian films? Which films have made you thirst after God desperately or want to be a better person? I could only think of 3 films that have influenced me in that way and all were (to my surprise) Christian films.

Also, if you've never been impacted in a discernable way by a movie, let me know that too. I'm very curious what you all think.

[christopher]

In general, I have been more impressed with some of the secular movies I've seen, but there are definitely some Christian movies that were very well made and moving.

Movies that moved me in a discernable way:

Secular: It's a wonderful life, Rocky (original only), LOTR, Schindlers list, Les Miserables, Remember the Titans, The boy in striped pajamas.

Christian: Facing the Giants, End of the Spear, Left Behind (just kidding ).

[TK]

I agree with Christopher regarding "It's a Wonderful Life." it's easy for a christian to identify with George Bailey. we want and maybe expect to do great things for God, but life's circumstances sometimes keep us where we are- the lesson is that if you are obedient where God wants you then you will have great impact.

Others that hit hard, in a "it makes me want to be a better person" sort of way- Saving Private Ryan, Braveheart, A Christmas Carol (various versions), Rudy. Nanny McPhee was also very good, I thought- for a kid's movie.

i just watched Flywheel recently, the 1st movie from the guys that did Facing the Giants and Fireproof-- and although it was incredibly low budget and rather cheesy, it actually ended well and had a great message. i almost got choked up a few times watching it.

great topic!

TK

[steve]

I have not seen that many Christian movies. Some of the secular movies that I have watched many, many times, because of the positive impact they have had on me (both emotional and spiritual) have been:
Chariots of Fire
The Mission
A Man for All Seasons (The 1966 version, starring Paul Scoffield, not the 1988 version, with Charlton Heston)
Awakenings

I think the common denominator in all of these is that they are all true stories (or based upon true stories), and all but the last one on the list involve Christians being prepared to make serious sacrifices for their Christian convictions.

There are actually many more movies that I have enjoyed and gotten much out of, though some of them have objectionable material in them and I am not prepared to recommend them generally.

[mattrose]

I can think of 8 movies that impacted me positively.
4 of them are 'Christian' in nature.
4 of them are secular in nature.

Christian
End of the Spear
Most
Amazing Grace
Ben Hur

Secular
Se7en
The Truman Show
Mr. Holland's Opus
Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind

I'd say the absolute most impact, though, came from Se7en and Mr. Holland's Opus

[Suzana]

I feel deprived. I haven’t seen half the films mentioned. (Time to rent some movies I think).
I tend to prefer to read good books, whereas I usually like to watch movies for relaxation, so do not generally like them to be too harrowing. Having said that, I have been impacted by some I’ve seen in that category.

Saving Private Ryan
Schindler’ List
Gallipoli
Rob Roy
Sophie’s Choice (I think I’ve worked out what I would have done, [theoretically], but don’t EVER want to be in a position to find out if my reaction would hold in a real life situation).
Chariots of Fire
Life is Beautiful

(I saw 'Seven' years ago, but that had a negative impact in that it was so graphic, the grossness completely put me off so that I just wanted to forget the film rather than think about the moral of the story).

I haven’t seen many Christian movies – I saw Ben Hur when I was a lot younger & which I enjoyed, having previously read the book, but I don’t remember any particular impact – it’s too long ago.

I have been meaning to finish watching Braveheart (I wasn’t in the mood for watching the torture scene last time); now I find I’m put off by Mel Gibson’s adulterous behaviour in real life, which really saddens me, since I’ve always liked him. I know he’s only the actor, but it’s still distracting; I wish actors just acted & weren’t made into famous icons to be idolised, and all their dirty laundry aired in public).

[darinhouston]

I can't tell you the movies that made a positive impact -- some of them have already been listed -- I love movies, but I haven't seen many "Christian" movies that had decent production values or acting.

I might add -- My Life As A House

[christopher]

Oh man! How did I forget Most, Amazing Grace and Braveheart?

Can I ammend my list?

Suzanna, I also liked Life is Beautiful. Very touching story.

[Jill]

.

[Danny]

I enjoy movies for entertainment, but find non-fiction more compelling than fiction. As a result, the films that have have had the greatest impact on me have been documentaries. I find that I am often deeply moved, enlightened and challenged by documentaries--even when I don't fully agree with the viewpoint of the film-maker. Some of my favorites (off the top of my head):

Promises
After Innocence
Death in Gaza
For the Bible Tells Me So
Frisbee
Hell House
Jesus Camp
No End In Sight
Super Size Me
Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden?

Some of these are about Christians. Some may have been made by Christians. But I don't consider any of them to be "Christian" films. I think the danger in making art that is explicitly "Christian" is that you may end up in a ghetto of mediocrity. Former President Jimmy Carter once said "If you fear making anyone mad, then you ultimately probe for the lowest common denominator of human achievement." I think that has been the problem with most modern Christian art (music, movies, etc.): It is so pre-occupied with being safe and correct and inoffensive that it ends up just being bland and impotent.