6 Inspiring films to watch during Holy Week
During Holy Week, we are invited to reflect upon the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and how God’s merciful love impacts our daily lives.
Salvation history has long been a popular subject for films. The best of them help us reflect on our faith and inspire us with stories of men and women who follow Christ in carrying the cross.
Here are six films that can help you and your family enter more deeply into the spirit of Holy Week:
Hollywood Biblical classics…
The first two films on our list are Biblical epics. They feature Hollywood stars, colorful sets, and spectacular set pieces. While they occasionally stray from their source material, they do succeed in vividly bringing the scriptures to life.
The Ten Commandments (1956)
No expense was spared in Cecille B. DeMille’s telling of how God leads his people out of bondage. The Ten Commandments looks like a children’s illustrated edition of the Bible etched in Technicolor. Director Martin Scorsese, who has watched the movie dozens of times, praises its “dreamlike” qualities. Best of all, Charlton Heston’s Moses is imposing and powerful – as if Michelangelo’s sculpture of the great prophet had come to life.
The Ten Commandments is available to stream on many channels. It is suitable for your whole family.
Jesus of Nazareth (1977)
Though it is almost fifty years old, this miniseries, directed by Franco Zeffirelli, has not been equaled. While it may lack the popular appeal of The Chosen, the acting remains exquisite, with a cast that includes legends like Lawrence Olivier, Peter Ustinov, and Ann Bancroft. The power and artistry of the scenes leading up to the Passion make Jesus of Nazareth a must-watch during Holy Week and the Easter season.
You can watch Jesus of Nazareth free with ads on YouTube. The miniseries is appropriate for all ages, though the final scenes of the crucifixion may be disturbing for the youngest viewers in your household.
Kid-friendly fare…
The next two films are geared towards children but are highly entertaining and artistic. They can be enjoyed by your whole family.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005)
This adaptation of the first book in C.S. Lewis’s classic children’s series is faithful to the text, but also a beautiful cinematic imagining of the world of Narnia. If your children have difficult grasping the meaning of Holy Week, you may want to introduce them to the story of the lion Aslan, who represents Christ. You can discuss with them Aslan’s loving sacrifice and ultimate victory over death.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is available to stream on many channels.
The Secret of Kells (2009)
During the early middle ages, marauding Vikings roamed the Irish coast, pillaging monasteries and the tiny pockets of civilization around them. This bleak period is the setting for a gorgeously animated film, The Secret of Kells. It tells the story of a boy who becomes entranced with an illustrated copy of the Gospels and risks his life to help complete it. While Christianity is only in the background of the film, it is great to watch with your kids if you want to discuss how Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross changed the course of history.
The Secret of Kells is available to stream on many channels. The film can get intense at times, but the violence is only suggested.
Reliving the Passion today…
Our final two films show how holy men and women continue to follow Jesus and his example of sacrificial love in present circumstances. Due to their intensity and moments of violence, they are not suitable for children.
Romero (1989)
When Saint Oscar Romero was first made archbishop of San Salvador, he was reluctant to confront a repressive regime due to his concern for his flock and his abhorrence for any form of violence. Romero, made long before his cause for sainthood had gained momentum, is a moving depiction of how a humble man stood up to power and cried out for justice, following Jesus all the way to the cross and martyrdom.
You can watch Romero for free on YouTube. Suitable for adults and older adolescents.
Of Gods and Men (2010)
This amazing French drama about a group of Trappist monks in Algeria is another true story of martyrdom. For years the monks of the monastery of Tibhirine lived in harmony with their Muslim neighbors. Threatened by a group of extremists, they find strength in their communal bond and remain committed, despite their fears, to living out the Gospel message even to the point of death.
Of Gods and Men is available to stream on many channels. It is suitable for adults and older adolescents.
