The Top 10 Underrated Christian Films of All Time
The Top 10 Underrated Christian Films of All Time
This article is not simply about a listing of the top 10 Christian movies of all time, it also is making the point that many of the top Christian films are often connected to be in some of the best films in movie-making history.
With that being said let’s get into it shall we :)
With that being said, some of these films may not necessarily be “Christian films”, they rather carry strong messages of faith that quite frankly inspire more Christians than maybe regular Christian films deal. The films on this list encompass movies of the last few decades, including from the 1940s to the golden age of Hollywood, to modern-day times. Some of these films are critically claimed and artistic and others simply have a powerful story and message.
10. Sergeant York
Sergeant York is a 1941 American biographical film about the life of Alvin C.York, one of the most decorated American soldiers of World War I. Directed by Howard hocks and starring Gary Cooper. Not only was this film a critical and commercial success it became the highest-grossing film of 1941.
The film is based on the diary of Sergeant Alvin York, as edited by Tom Skeyhill.
The reason this film makes the top 10 list in this article is not simply because it won the best actor and a series of other Academy Awards. This film is on the list because of the powerful story intertwined with an inspiring message of hope. The story capture is a beautiful story of the internal and external conflicts of a young man trying to understand his faith and how it balances within the world of power and war.
This film is a true hero's journey, and even though it has powerful messages of faith inner twined within it, it is such a great film is it is story-driven as well.
9. Lilies of the Field
This film is incredible in so many ways not only is extremely comedic, witty, with all sorts of great lines of dialogue, it also contains a powerful message of overcoming cultural differences.
The film is directed by Ralph Nelson and stars Sidney Poitier, who went on to win the best actor for the film as well.
Sydney plays a character by the name of Homer Smith who is the jack of all trades sort of fellow, he gets a commission by a series of nuns in a convent led by Mother Maria Marthe (Lila Skala), Who goes on to commission him to build a Catholic Church. Now perhaps one of the biggest conflicts of the story is the fact that Homer is a black Southern Baptist, talks about 1960s cultural Conflicts.
Sidenote in a world driven by political correctness and fear of offending others It’s important to look to our past to see how others before us overcame such differences. The truth is we will not always get along, but if we have patience and love for one another we will always find a way to overcome and work together. Such a lesson is one of the reasons why Lillies of The Field is on this list.
8. Count of Monte Cristo
Do you like a movie with adventure, romance, And was strong undertones of vengeance?
If that is the case then the Count of Monte Cristo, directed by Kevin Reynolds and starring and Jim Caviezel is the perfect movie for you. The film was adapted From the famous novel “the Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexander Dumas, being produced by several different directors over there years, however, Jim Caviezel‘s 2002 version is by far one of the best.
Follow Edmond Dantes quest for vengeance and justice as he plots his vengeance While serving 13 years in The Château d'If, a French prison, for crimes he did not commit. Before this terrible tragedy, he was a man who had everything, not so much in wealth or fame, but he had a love and the promise of a good and fulfilled life.
Yet in a moment, it was taken from him. Napoleon Bonaparte uses his schemes and manipulative tactics to convince Edmond of delivering a treasonous letter to one of his agents. This of course gets it intercepted by his so-called closest friend, Fernand Mondego, who betrays them to the French authorities.
Now a bit of disclaimer, some of the details that are within the film are inevitably different from the novel. I think you and I can both appreciate the differences between books and movies, and how it is nearly impossible to add all the details from the book into a film.
Yet even still, the Count of Monte Christo is an incredible action film, filled with suspense, intrigue in mystery, as well as love and forgiveness. While in prison Edmond Dante befriends a priest, Abbé Faria, played by Richard Harris who not only educates him to read and write but gives him knowledge and wisdom rivaling in the highest levels of education.
While in prison the priest and only educate him but gives him an understanding of forgiveness And God’s love. Overcome by his desire for revenge Dantes often ignoring the lessons, saying “I do not believe in God”, and all the while the priest would respond “it does not matter he believes in you.”
7. Amazing Grace
Now before my readers accuse me of just listening to a bunch of old movies, let’s hold the phone just for one moment. “Amazing Grace” Will be the first and perhaps not the last movie to make this particular list. Not only is it an incredible story with great timing and plot development, but you also can’t get much more Christian than telling a story about a lead character whose sole purpose in life is to abolish the slave trade.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eKzTyr-c_M&ab_channel=FamilySafeFilms
William Wilberforce, now that is a cool name ladies and gentlemen, played by Ioan Gruffudd Play, Is a young English statesman within the House of Commons. This tradesmen and idealist single-handedly with a small group of passionate people find his way to maneuver through Parliament endeavoring at all cost to end the British transatlantic slave trade.
This film has got it all drama, comedic relationships and friendships, romance and love, and the overwhelming feeling of adventure and burden to see one's fellow man set free. If you and your family have not seen it yet, open up the popcorn because Do you have plans this coming Friday night.
6. The Robe
Now, this is Christian Epic if I have ever seen one before!!!
The road came out back in 1953 and perhaps with what many would call the golden age of Hollywood. Played by and starring Richard Burton, who plays a roman Tribune sent to the violent Roman province of Palestine.
Dedicated to fulfilling his duty to Rome Marcellus Gallio, journey with this Greek slave Demetrius, played by Victor Mature. While serving as a military officer he is soon charged as last duty to crucify Jewish religious leader known as Jesus of Nazareth. It is during this Crucifixion Marcellus wins the only possession of Jesus' a humble homespun robe.
What an EPIC SCENE!!!
It is not long after he is soon is tormented by nightmares and delusions, in a modern world we would call it PTSD. Determined to regain his sanity again, Marcellus returns to Jerusalem the scene of "crime" to seek out his runaway Greek slave and the Robe which seems to have bewitched him.
This film makes the list not only for its powerful emotional undertones and overtones, it's pretty dramatic, it also makes the list because The film is a powerful story of the unimaginable grace and mercy we have found as Christians through Jesus Christ. This film will have you in tears, it will inspire you, and even borderline creep you out in some scenes.
The Robe is Epic like none else.
5. Chariots of Fire
This is perhaps one of my personal favorites, Chariots of Fire, directed by Hugh Hudson and starring Ian Charleson and Ben Cross.
The story about two British track athletes, a Jewish man by the name of Harold Abrahams, seeking to prove his worth beyond his ethnicity and starting, and a Christian missionary, Eric Liddell, runny for God, both men giving everything for the chance to compete in the 1924 Olympics.
What makes this film even more amazing, is it came out during a time when perhaps Hollywood was creating some of the darkest films created in cinematic history. Films like The Shining, directed by Stanley Kubrick, and nightmare on Elm Street often filled the limelight of movie theaters. So in many ways, Chariots of Fire came as quite a shock to many when it was chosen for best picture in 1984.
What makes this film even more powerful, is the fact it’s actually based on a true story. The actual events leading up to the 1924 Olympic games are nothing short of extraordinary. Just before this, World War I had taken the lives of millions within Europe and across the world. England alone had lost an entire generation of young men.
Just check out this powerful scene from the film.
Dang, “their dreams become yours“powerful. This film is so amazing because it teaches young men and young women the power of belief as well as being uncompromising when it comes to pursuing your passions and dreams.
I love this quote from Eric Liddell, The circumstances around the scene are incredibly powerful. Just check it out:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ1q3__UX9g
“Jenny I believe God made me for a purpose, for China, but he also made me fast, and when I run I feel His pleasure...”
This is perhaps one of the most powerful scenes in the entire film, not only has it spoken to me, but I believe it is something that could speak to an entire generation of people questioning why God made them the way he made them. God didn’t make Eric Liddell on accident and he didn’t make you by accident, he made you for a purpose.
4. Schindler’s List
Perhaps one of the greatest films of all time, Schindler’s directed Steven Spielberg. This is a heart-wrenching and masterpiece of a film.
The movie takes place In German-occupied Poland during World War II, industrialist Oskar Schindler, played by and starring Liam Nelson, becomes gradually concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis.
Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who together with his wife Emilie Schindler saved more than a thousand mostly Polish-Jewish refugees from the Holocaust by employing them in his factories during World War II.
Ideas for a film about the Schindlerjuden (Schindler Jews) were proposed as early as 1963. Poldek Pfefferberg, one of the Schindlerjuden, made it his life's mission to tell Schindler's story.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=va8zjTPsJrI
“Power is when we have every justification to kill, and we don’t.” —Oskar Schindler
In a one-on-one interview with Steven Spielberg shared the emotional realities of directing the movie.
“Every day I realized that had I been standing in those same streets at that time, I would have been killed just for being a Jew.” - Steven Spielberg
It’s a tough movie to watch I admit, but a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand the dark side of history and why we should never repeat it.
3. Sound of Music
The Sound of Music is a 1965 American musical drama film produced and directed by Robert Wise, and starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, with Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood, Charmian Carr, and Eleanor Parker. The film is an adaptation of the 1959 stage musical of the same name, composed by Richard Rodgers with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.
This film by far exceeds the expectations of so many films before and after it. It is so hard to top and Julie Andrews does a phenomenal job. Just check out this opening scene from the film.
I mean come on, how unbelievably epic and beautiful is that?!?!
Julie Andrews plays the character known as Fräulein Maria, a young woman pledged to dedicate her life to God and the church. The only problem is she doesn’t quite fit in, she’s late, scrapes her knees, and is always dirty, and many of the nuns consider her childish. Fortunately for her, the Virgilia, Mother Abbess played by Peggy Wood sees some potential within the young and adventurous woman. The Abbas charge is Maria to become Hey governess to Colonel Von Trapp and his seven children.
This is film is a beautiful story with some of the movement memorable music sung in cinema history, composed by non-other than, Richard Rodgers with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II.
This film is truly timeless and needs to be enjoyed by all ages, a story showing the importance of believing ing in one's dream above all else knowing that God created each of us with a specific dream and purpose. This cinema masterpiece shows how no station is greater than the other, even that of the church, for one can serve God mightly as a mother just as much as being a nun within the church.
1. Ben Hur
Now for a film that is the epic of epics, we have none other than the great Ben Hur.
Judah Ben Hur played by Academy Award-winning Charlton Heston, is a wealthy Jewish prince and merchant living in Jerusalem, residing with his mother, Miriam, and his sister, Tirzah.
The family's loyal slave, the merchant Simonides, pays a visit with his daughter, Esther. Seeing each other for the first time since childhood, Judah and Esther fall in love, but she is betrothed to another. After several years away from Jerusalem, Judah's childhood friend Messala returns as commander of the Fortress of Antonia.
Messala believes in the glory of Rome and its imperial power, while Judah is devoted to his faith and the freedom of the Jewish people. This difference causes tension between the friends and results in their split after Messala issues an ultimatum demanding that Judah deliver potential rebels to the Roman authorities.
Out of loyalty to God and to his people Judah refuses, unknowingly taking on terrible consequences. during a terrible accident resulting in the death of a Roman government leader, Messaia Betrays Judah, and his family. Sending his mother and sister off to prison while banishing Judah to the galleys.
This Epic story is the powerful Retelling of the incredible story of salvation intertwined with a man’s desire for vengeance and justice. The timeless beliefs of the old testament laws and new testament Grace come under Tremendous testing as, As Judah’s quest for vengeance forces him to come to terms with God’s divine Providence and taking justice into his own hands.
I would recommend parents not allowing their children to see it until they’re old enough to understand life‘s emotional and powerful lessons. In Conclusion
No doubt many of you may have questions about the films that were presented to you in this blog.
I realize there are many other films that deserve recognition, however, the real purpose of this blog is not only to tell you about great films it is also hopefully opening you up to the incredible stories that are out there which often get underrated by the Hollywood elite.
If you wish to see more films that reflect, God’s true intentions for mankind, then I would humbly ask you to check out an incredible story my friend Pete Wisan and I are working to produce.
The story is knowns as Kristian's War, a powerful story, adapted from the incredible classic known as Pilgrim's Progress.
White that being said till next time cannot wait to share with you more!!!