Best Bible Movies

Ok, the title sounds a bit overly cheesy, but the movie itself is great. This film is about Esther, one of the most courageous women in the Old Testament, and one whose story is unfortunately not told very often in our Churches and Sunday schools. Perhaps because her role is far more important in the Jewish liturgical year then in the Christian liturgical year. The Jewish feast of Purim is based on her achievements and celebrates them.

Before watching the movie, it might be a good idea of reading her story in the Bible itself. Also if there is a whole book in the OT that carries her name, it is a short book with only 10 chapters and it can be read in just under an hour. Here the story in short: Esther is the foster daughter of Mordechai, a Jew like herself. Esther becomes in the 5^th century before Christ, through marriage to Xerxes I, Queen of Persia despite belonging to the despised minority of Jews. She conceals her religion before her husband, but stays faithful to Yahweh and his commandments. Her foster father Mordechai saves the live of the king by discovering a plot to murder him. But shortly after that he offends the prime minister so thoroughly that he decides to not only to kill Mordechai, but all the Jews in Persia as well. Mordechai calls on Queen Esther to help her people and she succeeds, revealing at the same time that she is a Jewess as well.

This story about Jesus Christ's life is a bit different as it was first conceived as a TV series - resulting in giving space of no less than one hour solely to the nativity story! The whole movie is more than six hours long, so take a seat, a bag of popcorn and a cool drink ;-) Most of the biblical passages are quoted verbatim, making it another Bible based, New Testament movie that strives for literal faithfulness. Taking its time in order to tell the story, pays out, the story proceeds at its own pace and is rightly considered to be one of the best gospel movies ever made. It encompasses the events between the betrothal of Mary to Joseph and the resurrection of Jesus. The great faithfulness to historical and cultural details helps the viewer to understand the world as it was in the time of Jesus and to put events into their wider, historical and cultural, context.

Suitable for: The general audience, but babies being ripped out of their mothers' arms and killed by the sword and nails being driven into the hands of Jesus bound to the cross beam may be too much for young children, so parental guidance is strongly advised with this Bible movie. Apart of this, it makes a great movie for everybody that is interested in learning more about Jesus Christ, his world and time, Christians and no-Christians alike.

One of the most controversial bible movies of all times, The Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson was discussed, before even being released, for violence and anti-Semitism. The film concentrates on showing the last twelve hours of the life of Jesus Christ, starting with the scene in the garden of Gethsemane and ending with his resurrection, leaving the tomb. Previous events are alluded to with the help of flashbacks. One thing that distinguishes this film from all other bible movies reviewed here is that it is entirely in Aramaic, Hebrew and Latin, with subtitles in the modern vernacular to help the understanding.

Suitable for: The original movie was rated R, due to its violent scenes, the dvd release was left unrated, but I would strongly recommend to parents to first watch the movie before thinking of showing it to even teenagers, let alone younger children. One thing is sure, this film certainly will kick start many a discussion, it is up to you to decide if the movie indulges to much in violent scenes or if it was a good idea to show the crucifixion as it has, most likely, happened two thousand years ago. The same for the anti-Semitism the film has been accused of by some. It is up to you the watcher, to make up your mind what the film shows and provokes in you.

Haunting is too mild a word to describe this movie. If there is only one Bible based film you are going to see this year, or even in your whole life, make sure it is this one. For the Bible tells me so is neither a film adaption of a Bible story nor an ABC of Salvation style film. It is a film that wants us, Christians and non-Christians alike, to start to think if God really hates gays and lesbians. Or if the Bible simply reflects some cultural prejudices prevalent at the time of writing and now as out-ruled and out-lived as slavery thankfully is. For the bible tells me so features and interviews people as well-known a Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Bishop Gene Robinson. It gives them and others room to express themselves and invites us to listen to them. For the Bible tells me so speaks about reading and living the Bible in our times, rather then trying to live in the times of the bible. It is not a kind of in your face movie, it is a movie that challenges our, yours and mine, belief in what the Bible really says. And it may surprise you in what the Bible really does say about homosexuality.

Suitable for: This movie is not officially rated, but I would suggest a simple "PG" will do. I wouldn't let children see it alone, not because of any violence and / or strong language, more because of the difficult issue itself. One group that might have difficulties watching this movies are people that think they know already everything about what the Bible has to say about LGBT issues.

Another Old Testament story, this time the one of Abram who became Abraham. The movie covers the calling and name change of Abraham, his travels to Canaan and his commitment to God, including the (intended) sacrifice of his own son on Gods own command. The story starts in Haran, where Abram lives together with his wife and wider family. Unfortunately Abram and Sara have no children together, making a distant relative the sole heir to his wealth. One day, he hears the voice of God that promises him to make him the 'Father of Nations' and to give him descendants as many as the stars in the night sky and the sand corns in the desert. Abraham and Sarah, as they are now called, follow Gods commandment and start their journey. If you want to read the whole story, rather than watching the film, grab your bible and read Genesis chapters 11 and following.

The biggest plus point of this movie is its love to detail and accurate, historical details. The story of Abraham is still of interest today, even to non-religious people, as both Israelis and Arabs track back their roots to him. Making him the common forefather of two peoples that are in war with each other today, a sad war between brothers ...

Suitable for: The whole family, due to the inclusion of the sacrifices, parental guidance is recommended.