Movie Review

Modern Times (1936): Runtime 89 minutes

Director:  Charlie Chaplin.

 Cast: Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Tiny Sandford.

This classic movie, considered one of Charlie Chaplin’s greatest comedies, highlights the struggles of the poor and downtrodden in the industrial world. It explores themes of dehumanization and exploitation of the working class during the Industrial Revolution, emphasizing the importance of human connection and celebrating the triumph of the human spirit. Modern Times was included in the Vatican’s 1995 list of the greatest films of the century.

The narrative follows Chaplin’s iconic character, the “Tramp,” navigating common life situations in his engaging slapstick style, evoking laughter without cynicism. Against uncontrollable and humiliating circumstances, the Tramp triumphs with optimism and resilience. Set during the Great Depression of the 1930s, the story depicts the Tramp’s struggle to make a living.

The Tramp works in a steel factory, performing repetitive tasks on an assembly line, his mechanical movements reflecting the loss of dignity. Under constant surveillance by an intimidating boss, he’s tested with a machine designed to feed workers without breaks. A key moment occurs when the Tramp is accidentally sucked into the machine, symbolizing the dehumanization brought on by efficiency-obsessed, profit-driven industrialization.

His compassion shines when he comforts a co-worker in distress, even as his own nerves fray. The Tramp’s missteps lead him to mistakenly join a workers’ protest, landing him in jail—where he ironically finds comfort.

Life takes a turn when he meets Ellen, a spirited street urchin. Together, they dream of a better future and navigate a series of misadventures, including jobs as department store night watchmen and a waiter-dancer duo in a restaurant. The film ends on a hopeful note as the Tramp’s resilience and optimism triumph over hardship, underscoring the enduring spirit of humanity.

End of the Spear (2005): Runtime 112 minutes

Director: Jim Hanon

Cast: Louie Leonardo, Chad Allen, Jack Guzman, Christina Souza, Chase Ellison, Chemo Mepaquito, Ninabet Bedoya, Sara Kathryn Bakker, Cara Stoner and Beth Bailey.        

This movie is based on the martyrdom of five American Evangelical Christian missionaries—Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Peter Fleming, and Roger Youderian—killed by the Amazonian Waodani tribe in Ecuador in 1956. The Waodani, isolated from the outside world, were feared as violent savages. In 1955, five young missionaries launched Operation Auca to befriend and convert them, approaching the tribe by air due to fear of violence. Piloted by Nate Saint, they dropped gifts and communicated with the tribe using a limited jungle dialect. Encouraged by gestures of friendship, they set up a camp near the Waodani settlements on January 6, 1956. Two days later, six Waodani spearmen killed them. Despite their grief, Rachel Saint (Nate’s sister) and Elisabeth Elliot (Jim’s wife) went to the jungle, forgave the tribe, and spread God’s Word.

The movie focuses on Nate Saint’s son, Steve, his aunt Rachel, Dayumae (a Waodani woman), and Mincayani (a Waodani warrior and one of the murderers). Steve, traumatized by his father’s death at a young age, returns to Waodani territory years later. There, he meets Mincayani, who had delivered the fatal blow to his father. In an act of forgiveness, Mincayani adopts Steve as his own son. Rachel, who continued to live with the Waodani even after her brother’s death, influenced Steve’s view of the tribe. Mincayani, now converted to Christianity, reveals the reasons behind the killings. Through this experience of forgiveness and healing, Steve comes to terms with his father’s death.

The story explores themes of sacrifice, forgiveness, and redemption, highlighting cultural clashes and the transformative power of faith and compassion.

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To Sir, With Love (1966): Runtime: 105 Minutes

Director: James Clavell

Cast:  Sidney Poitier, Christian Roberts, Judy Geeson, Suzy Kendall, Ann Bell, Geoffrey Bayldon, Faith Brook.

Set in 1960s London, this film based on E.R. Braithwaite’s novel explores themes of vocation, teaching, and overcoming class and race barriers.

The story follows Mark Thackeray, a graduate engineer from British Guiana, who takes a temporary teaching position at a secondary school in London’s East End after struggling to find work. His students are troubled, many rejected from other schools, and their leaders, Bert Denham and Pamela Dare, engage in vandalism and pranks. Thackeray, initially met with resistance, changes his approach after losing his temper. He demands respect from his students, addressing them as adults, and promises to treat them with the same respect in return.

Thackeray introduces field trips to London’s museums and works to build mutual respect, though he faces setbacks. Students initially resent his insistence on discipline, such as when he forces a rowdy student, Potter, to apologize to the gym instructor. Tensions rise when they refuse to invite him to their dance, decline his donation for a wreath for a deceased student’s mother, and avoid visiting the home of Seales, a mixed-race student, fearing social criticism. The headmaster doubts Thackeray’s methods and cancels future activities. Despite the challenges, Thackeray stays committed to his students. He replaces the gym trainer but considers leaving when offered an engineering job. Pamela’s mother asks him to counsel Pamela, whose growing infatuation complicates matters. Denham, still antagonistic, challenges Thackeray to a boxing match. Thackeray wins with one punch, helps him up, earns Denham’s respect, and suggests he become the boxing coach. By the end, Thackeray earns the admiration of his students, who express their gratitude with a heartfelt parting gift signed “To Sir, with Love.” Thackeray is moved and begins to reconsider his career path.

Born Into Brothels: Calcutta’s Red Light Kids (2004) : Runtime: 85minutes.

Directors: Zana Briski, Ross Kauffman

Cast: Kochi, Avijit Halder, Shanti Das, Manik, Puja Mukerjee             Gour, Suchitra, Tapasi, Mamuni

This is a documentary that focuses on the story of perhaps the most marginalized group of children in India. It takes viewers into the lives of children in Kolkata’s red-light district, Sonagachi, the heart of India’s sex trade. Directed by Zana Briski and Ross Kauffman, the film offers an intimate portrait of the children living in one of the most marginalized communities. It sheds light on the human side of a world that society often avoids—showing the potential, innocence, and talent that exist even in the darkest places.

The film grew from Briski’s initial visit to India in 1995, where she sought to study women’s issues such as child marriage, female infanticide, and dowry deaths. Her visit led her to Sonagachi, where she was overwhelmed by the life of sex workers and their children. Despite the community’s initial resistance, Briski persisted for months, gradually gaining access. She discovered that prostitution was a generational, forced tradition for women and girls, and although the males were not usually involved in the sex trade, the film avoids discussing explicit details.

Briski’s bond with the children deepened, and she taught them photography as a form of self-expression. The children embraced this new art form, capturing life around them with unique perspectives. This initiative turned into the Kids with Cameras project, and one of the children’s photos was exhibited in Amsterdam.

The documentary presents a hopeful message, showing the children’s talents and the possibility of a better life. Their photographs also helped them earn money, which supported their education. The film, praised for its sensitive and socially committed approach, received widespread acclaim and numerous awards, including an Oscar nomination in 2005.

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Chariots of Fire (1981): Runtime: 123 Minutes

Director: Hugh Hudson

Cast: Ben Cross, Ian Charleson, Nigel Havers, Cheryl Campbell, Alice Krige, Lindsay Anderson, Dennis Christopher, John Gielgud, Ian Holm, Patrick Magee

This inspiring sports drama tells the story of Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell, British athletes who triumphed in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Celebrating determination, faith, and the power of sportsmanship, the film reveals how both men transcended racial and religious barriers.

Harold Abrahams, a Jewish student at Cambridge, faces anti-Semitism and class prejudice. After meeting Sybil Gordon, his future wife, he becomes the first to complete the Trinity Great Court Run and excels in national events. Frustrated by a loss to Eric, he enlists professional coach Sam Mussabini, despite criticism from Cambridge authorities who disdain professional coaching. For Eric Liddell, a devout Christian born to Scottish missionaries in China, running is a way to honour God, even though his sister Jennie disapproves. Eric believes that competing without passion would dishonour his faith.

Both athletes join the British Olympic team bound for Paris. There, Eric learns his 100-meter race is scheduled on a Sunday, conflicting with his convictions against working on “the Lord’s Day.” Despite pressure from the Prince of Wales and Olympic officials, he refuses to run. Teammate Andrew Lindsay gives up his spot in the 400-meter race, allowing Eric to compete on another day. Meanwhile, Abrahams finds redemption when he wins the 100 meters with Mussabini’s support, while Liddell triumphs in the 400 meters, boosted by an encouraging Bible verse from American runner Jackson Scholz.

The film ends with the athletes returning home to a hero’s welcome. Abrahams marries Sybil and later leads British Olympic teams, while Liddell returns to China as a missionary, where he later dies during World War II. The movie’s title comes from William Blake’s hymn Jerusalem, sung during the concluding scenes.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946): Runtime:  131 Minutes

Director: Frank Capra

Cast: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell, Beulah Bondi, Henry Travers.

This beloved classic by Frank Capra delivers a heartwarming tale of hope, faith, and community. Adapted from Philip Van Doren Stern’s story The Greatest Gift with elements of A Christmas Carol, the film follows George Bailey, a selfless businessman who faces a financial disaster after World War II. Desperate and on the brink of suicide, George is saved by Clarence Odbody, a second-class angel sent in response to his family’s prayers. Clarence, eager to earn his wings, shows George flashbacks of his life, revealing how his acts of kindness touched many lives.

From risking his life to save his younger brother Harry to preventing a pharmacist’s fatal mistake, George consistently sacrifices his own dreams to help others. When his father dies suddenly, George steps in to manage the family bank, resisting the manipulative schemes of Henry Potter, a ruthless local businessman. Though George’s hopes to travel are dashed, he builds a community-oriented housing project, giving townspeople affordable homes and countering Potter’s control. His troubles deepen when Harry returns from college married, leaving George to handle the family business alone.

After the war, on Christmas Eve 1945, Uncle Billy accidentally loses a large sum of company money, which the greedy Potter seizes. Facing bankruptcy, George, desperate and humiliated, turns to Potter for help but is rebuffed. Near despair, he prays and prepares to jump off a bridge. Here, Clarence shows George a vision of how much worse life would be without him. Seeing the impact he has made, George regains hope and returns home to his friends and family, who rally together to save him financially. Clarence finally earns his wings, leaving George with a message: “Remember, no man is a failure who has friends.”

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A Man Escaped (1956):  102 minutes

Director: Robert Bresson

Cast:   Francois Leterrier, Charles Le Clainche, Maurice Beerblock, Roland Monod, Jacques Ertaud, Jean Paul Delhumeau, et al.

Robert Bresson’s, A Man Escaped, is a gripping French film based on the memoir of André Devigny, a French soldier and Resistance fighter who narrowly escaped execution in a Nazi prison. Bresson, who had his own traumatic experiences in a Nazi prison during the German occupation of France, crafted a story that transcends the typical escape thriller, focusing instead on the mental and spiritual struggle of a man facing certain death.

The film follows Fontaine, a French Resistance fighter captured by the Nazis. After a failed escape attempt en route to Montluc prison, Fontaine is tortured and placed in solitary confinement. The prison is a place of despair, with regular gunfire signalling the execution of fellow prisoners. Despite the overwhelming odds and the constant threat of death, Fontaine refuses to give up hope. He begins to carefully examine his surroundings, slowly formulating a plan to break out.

With the help of fellow prisoners like Terry, who smuggles him a safety pin, Fontaine unlocks his handcuffs and uses a spoon to chisel away at the door of his cell. Over time, he constructs a makeshift rope from linens and hooks from lighting fixtures, preparing for his escape.

As his execution date draws near, Fontaine is placed in a cell with a young boy, Jost. Initially suspicious that Jost may be a spy, Fontaine ultimately decides to trust him, and the two join forces. On the eve of his execution, Fontaine and Jost put the escape plan into action, killing a guard, scaling the prison walls, and making their way to freedom.

Bresson’s film is a powerful meditation on perseverance, faith, and the triumph of the human spirit against seemingly impossible odds.

12 Mighty Orphans (2012): 118 minutes

Director: Ty Roberts

Cast: Luke Wilson, Vinessa Shaw, Wayne Knight, Martin Sheen, Jake Walker, Scott Haze, Jacob Lofland, Treat Williams, Jacob Pine.

12 Mighty Orphans is an inspirational sports film based on Jim Dent’s novel, telling the true story of Rusty Russell, a legendary football coach who transformed a group of orphans into Texas football champions during the 1930s. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, Russell, himself an orphan and World War I veteran, takes a bold step by moving to the Masonic Home, an orphanage in Fort Worth, Texas, to coach football.

The boys at the orphanage, known as the “Mighty Mites,” live in harsh conditions under the cruel Warden Frank Wynn. Initially humiliated by stronger rival teams, the undernourished and undertrained orphans seem unlikely to succeed in football. However, Russell believes in their potential. Using his ingenuity, he creates a new strategy, the spread offense, that compensates for their lack of physical strength and transforms their playing style.

Despite opposition from Warden Wynn and the disheartening attitude of Doctor Hall, Russell receives support from his wife, Juanita, and benefactor Mason Hawk. His careful mentoring and discipline, particularly of troubled player Hardy Brown, leads to remarkable progress. Brown eventually becomes the star player of the team.

Through Russell’s determination and the boys’ resilience, the Mighty Mites defy the odds and rise to play in the 1938 Texas State Championship. Russell’s innovative coaching techniques, especially the spread offense, leave a lasting legacy in football. From 1927 to 1941, Rusty Russell’s leadership and belief in his team turned a group of downtrodden orphans into a symbol of hope and perseverance.

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Neerja (2016): 120 Minutes

Director: Ram Madhvani

Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Shekhar Ravjiani, Shabana Azmi, Yogendra Tiku, Kavi Shastri & Jim Sarbh

Neerja is a powerful portrayal of Neerja Bhanot, the brave flight purser who gave her life to save 359 of the 380 passengers aboard Pan Am Flight 73 when it was hijacked by the Abu Nidal Organization in Pakistan in 1986. Her selfless courage earned her posthumous honours from India, Pakistan, and the U.S.

The film delves into Neerja’s personal life, highlighting her career as a flight attendant, a decision made against her mother’s wishes, and her failed marriage to a controlling husband. On September 5, 1986, Neerja boards Pan Am Flight 73, flying from Mumbai to New York via Karachi and Frankfurt. The hijackers, posing as security officers, infiltrate the plane at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport. Neerja quickly informs the crew, enabling the pilots to escape through the cockpit hatch, foiling the terrorists’ plan.

The terrorists, seeking to identify American passengers, demand passports, but Neerja hides several American passports, preventing more targeted attacks. Tensions escalate when an Indian-American passenger is shot, and the radio engineer Ali is forced to negotiate on behalf of the hijackers.

After 17 gruelling hours, a power failure plunges the plane into darkness, causing panic among the terrorists. Seizing the opportunity, Neerja opens the emergency exits, guiding passengers to safety. In a final act of heroism, she shields three children from gunfire, sacrificing her own life to save theirs. The Pakistani Special Service ultimately storms the plane, capturing the terrorists.

Neerja is a poignant tribute to a real-life heroine, capturing her remarkable courage and selflessness in the face of terror, making it a moving and emotional watch.

A Little Princess (1995): 97 minutes

Director: Alfonso Cuarón

Cast: Liesel Matthews, Eleanor Bron, Liam Cunningham, Rusty Schwimmer, Arthur Malet, Vanessa Chester, Errol Sitahal

Alfonso Cuarón’s A Little Princess, adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic story, is a touching children’s fantasy about resilience, love, and kindness amidst adversity. Set in early 20th century London, the film follows young Sara Crewe, the daughter of Captain Crewe of the Indian colonial army. When World War I breaks out, Sara is sent to a strict private school run by the cold and snobbish headmistress, Miss Minchin, who showers Sara with false affection, hoping to benefit from her father’s wealth.

At the school, Sara experiences class and racial discrimination but forms deep friendships with Becky, a Black servant girl, and Ermengarde, a fellow student mistreated due to her social status. Known for her storytelling, Sara captivates her peers with tales of Indian mythology, earning their admiration. However, her world collapses when, during her birthday celebration, she learns her father is presumed dead in battle.

With no money left, Miss Minchin strips Sara of her privileges and forces her to live in the attic with Becky. Despite her hardships, Sara remains kind-hearted, befriending those in the market and earning the nickname ‘Princess’ from a local vendor. She also meets Randolph, a grieving old man, and his Indian servant, Ram Dass, who helps her in times of need.

The story reaches its heartwarming conclusion when Sara discovers her father is alive and recovering from war wounds in Randolph’s home. The film ends on a joyful note as Sara, Becky, and Captain Crewe prepare to return to India, celebrating the triumph of hope and love over adversity.

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Mending the Line (2022): 122 minutes

Director: Joshua Caldwell

Cast: Brian Cox, Sinqua Walls, Patricia Heaton, Perry Mattfeld, Wes Studi, Irene Bedard, Tristan Thompson.

The movie explores the struggles of Colter, an American Marine dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after returning from the Afghan war. The film opens with a poignant statement: “There’s more great literature written about fly fishing than any other sport,” setting up fly fishing as a central motif. This traditional Western hobby, involving the use of artificial lures to catch fish like Salmon and Trout, becomes a crucial element of Colter’s healing journey.

Haunted by the guilt of losing his comrades and grappling with alcoholism, Colter is eager to return to the battlefield. At a veteran’s rehabilitation center, he meets Dr. Burke, who encourages him to confront his condition with a realistic perspective. Although Colter initially resists and reacts angrily to Dr. Burke’s guidance, he eventually begins to open up through his interactions with Ike, a senior veteran who frequents the center. Ike, an avid fly fisherman, becomes a mentor to Colter, introducing him to the therapeutic practice of fly fishing.

As Colter learns the art of fly fishing from Ike, he also befriends Harrison, the owner of a local tackle shop. Despite some initial friction, their bond strengthens through their shared passion.

The film also introduces Lucy, a local librarian who volunteers at the rehab center by bringing and reading books to the patients. She, too, is a wounded soul, this creates a shared understanding between her, Colter, and Ike. Each character struggles with their past traumas, but they find ways to cope with their realities. Through their collective experiences, Colter, Ike, and Lucy find ways to manage their traumas and rebuild their lives. The film ultimately highlights fly fishing as more than just a pastime; it serves as a powerful tool for rehabilitation and emotional recovery among American war veterans.

Amistad (1997): 145 minutes

Director: Steven Spielberg

Cast : Morgan Freeman, Nigel Hawthorne, Anthony Hopkins, Djimon Hounsou, Matthew McConaughey, David Paymer, Pete Postlethwaite, Anna Paquin.

Spielberg’s celebrated film is based on a historical event that happened against the background of the heinous practice of slavery in the United States in the early 19^th century. It is a spectacular and dramatic story that brings to focus the horrors of human slavery and also the heroic struggles put up by conscientious individuals against it. The story opens on board the slave ship Amistad in August 1839, which was carrying hundreds of Africans from Sierra Leone captured by Portuguese slave hunters and illegally transported them to the Spanish colony of Cuba. Despite the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade in the U.S., Britain, and other European countries, it continued, with Havana as a central hub. On board were 53 Africans, including women, girls, and babies, bought by Spanish plantation owners. One of the captives, Joseph Cinque, led a revolt, killing the ship’s captain and cook. The surviving slave owners were spared under the promise of returning them to Africa. Instead, they deceived the Africans, sailing to New York where the ship was seized by American naval officers. This led to a complex legal battle in New England over the captives’ status. The case hinged on whether the Africans were descendants of slaves (and thus could be punished for murder) or were illegally brought from Africa (and thus could claim self-defense). President Martin Van Buren sought to extradite the Africans to Cuba, but Northern abolitionists, led by Lewis Tappan, defended the captives, recognizing the immorality of their situation. They enlisted an Afro-American interpreter to present the captives’ story in court. The case ultimately reached the Supreme Court, where former President John Quincy Adams, a staunch anti-slavery advocate, successfully argued on behalf of the Africans. Cinque and the remaining survivors were eventually returned to their homeland by Christian missionaries, marking a significant moment in the struggle against slavery and the fight for justice.

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Sound of Freedom (2023): 121 mts

Director – Alejandro Monteverde

Cast: Jim Caviezel, Mira Sorvino, Bill Camp, Eduardo Verástegui, Javier Godino, José Zúñiga, Kurt Fuller, Gary Basaraba.

This movie is loosely based on the experiences of Tim Ballard, the founder and CEO of Operation Underground Railroad, an organization combating human trafficking. In 2013, Rocío and Miguel Aguilar, two poor children from Honduras, are kidnapped by Giselle, a beauty queen who deceives their father, Roberto, with false promises of a modeling career. During the first photo shoot, the children are abducted. Tim Ballard, working with Homeland Security Investigations in Calexico, California, is appalled by the increasing child pornography and trafficking cases that cross US borders. Determined to fight, Ballard befriends suspect Ernst Oshinsky by posing as a pedophile. This leads to the arrest of Earl Buchanan and the rescue of Miguel, who gifts Ballard with his sister’s Saint Timothy necklace before reuniting him with his father. Ballard’s search for Rocío takes him to Cartagena, Colombia, where he learns about Giselle’s sex trade connections in Thailand. With the help of a Colombian police officer and a wealthy man named Delgado, Ballard plans a sting operation but is ordered to return home as it cannot be executed in a foreign country. Ballard resigns and continues his search for Rocío. His sympathetic superior secretly supports his mission through the US Embassy in Colombia. Ballard traps Giselle in a sting operation, rescuing 54 children and arresting her. However, Rocío has been sold to FARC, a rebel militia in the Amazon jungle, beyond Colombian government reach. Using fake documents to pose as doctors, Ballard and his companion, Vampiro, infiltrate the rebel camp, but only Ballard is allowed entry. Rocío is held as a sex slave by El Alacrán and is forced to make cocaine. Ballard shoots El Alacrán to rescue Rocío and successfully returns her to her family, giving her the necklace gifted by Miguel. Ballard’s testimony leads to new international laws against sex trafficking. The epilogue starkly reminds viewers that more people are enslaved today than when slavery was legal.

The Chess Players (Shathrunj Ke Khiladi ) 1977: 130 mts

Director: Satyajit Ray.

Cast: Sanjeev Kumar, Saeed Jaffrey, Amjad Khan, Shabana Azmi, Farida Jalal, Richard Attenborough, Tom Alter, David Abraham, Victor Banerjee, Farooq Shaikh

This classic Hindi movie by the Indian maestro, Satyajit Ray, draws its story from a famous historical fiction by Munshi Premchand that depicts the story of British colonialism in India and shows how the debauchery, escapism and apathy of the ruling monarchs of India paved way for British colonization. The story centers on Wajid Ali Shah, the Nawab of Avadh, a pleasure-seeking patron of the arts, who surrenders his kingdom to the British East India Company in 1856. General James Outram of the Company exploits the Nawab’s failure to honour their agreement to justify the takeover. Parallel to this is the story of two nobles, Mirza Sajjad Ali and Mir Roshan Ali, obsessed with chess and indifferent to the political turmoil. They neglect their duties and their households, escaping to a remote village to continue playing. Their obsession leads to quarrels, even as they witness the British army marching towards their capital without concern. Ultimately, Wajid Ali Shah abdicates without resistance, highlighting the indolence of the nobility. The chess players’ argument culminates in a shooting, but they quickly reconcile and return to their game. Ray’s film poignantly illustrates how indulgence, hedonism, and irresponsibility contribute to the decline of civilizations, with the game’s continuation symbolizing the inevitable loss of power and privilege under foreign rule.

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Noah (2014): 138 minutes

Director: Darren Aronofsky

Cast: Russell Crowe, Dakota Goyo, Jennifer Connelly, Ray Winstone, Finn Wittrock, Emma Watson, Skylar Burke, Logan Lerman, Nolan Gross, Anthony Hopkins

The film Noah, presents the biblical Genesis story with a blend of spectacle and narrative additions while staying true to the spirit of the original text. The story follows Noah, a descendant of the righteous Seth, who witnesses the murder of his father Lamech by a descendant of Cain, resulting in the loss of his birthright. As an adult, Noah lives with his wife Naameh and their three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. They also care for Ila, a girl they adopt after she survives a massacre. Noah experiences visions of a catastrophic flood meant to cleanse the world of its wickedness and seeks counsel from his grandfather Methuselah, who confirms the divine message. Noah is instructed to build an ark to save his family and pairs of every animal species. Noah and his family receive unexpected aid from the Watchers, fallen angels now encrusted in stone, who initially doubt but later support Noah’s mission after witnessing a miracle. Family tensions arise as Ila and Shem fall in love, and Noah’s search for wives for his other sons in a refugee camp ends in disillusionment due to the camp’s immorality. Ila, believed to be infertile due to a childhood wound, is miraculously healed by Methuselah. Tubal-cain, the antagonist and a blacksmith, learns of the coming deluge and plans to take over Noah’s ark with his army. As the flood begins, a battle ensues between Tubal-cain’s forces and Noah’s family, with Shem and Ham playing pivotal roles despite their conflicts with Noah. The ark eventually lands on a mountain as the floodwaters recede. In the aftermath, Noah, overwhelmed by guilt, succumbs to drunkenness but finds redemption through the love of his family and the birth of his grandchildren. The film enriches the biblical narrative with imaginative elements and striking visual effects, offering a unique retelling of the classic story.

Saul: The Journey to Damascus (2014).  Runtime: 86 minutes.

Director: Mario Azzopardi

Cast: Kyle Schmid, John Rhys-Davies • Emmanuelle Vaugier, Callum Blue; • Kris Holden-Ried, Dan Cade as Stephen, Brittany Bristow

Saul: The Journey to Damascus dramatizes the profound conversion of Saul of Tarsus, a staunch persecutor of early Christians who transforms into Paul, one of Christianity’s most revered apostles. Set five years after the crucifixion of Jesus, the movie opens with Saul, a powerful Pharisee and Roman citizen, aggressively opposing the rapidly growing Christian movement. Supported by High Priest Caiaphas, Saul oversees the brutal persecution of Christians, including the stoning of Stephen. Despite facing death, Stephen forgives Saul with his final words, praying for Saul’s forgiveness. These words deeply haunt Saul, planting the first seeds of doubt and guilt in his mind. Determined to crush the fledgling faith, Saul travels to Damascus with Roman soldiers to arrest fleeing Christians. En route, they disrupt a wedding, leading to the bride’s death, and Saul experiences a divine vision during a sudden dust storm. Struck blind, he is taken to Damascus, where he meets Ananias, a persecuted Christian who miraculously heals him. Saul’s vision and subsequent healing lead to a dramatic change of heart. He releases the Christian captives and uses his Roman privilege to protect them from the Roman captain. Saul publicly confesses his past life and his change of heart before the very people he had persecuted, who listen in disbelief and fear due to their prior experiences with him. Despite their initial skepticism, Saul’s transformation sets the stage for his future mission as Paul the Apostle, a pivotal figure in the spread of Christianity. The film captures the intense struggle and ultimate redemption of Saul, illustrating his pivotal role in the spread of Christianity and highlighting the powerful themes of forgiveness and personal transformation.

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The Robe (1953): 135mts

Directed by    Henry Koster

Cast: Richard Burton, Jean Simmons, Victor Mature, Michael Rennie, Jay Robinson, Dean Jagger, Torin Thatcher Richard Boone.

Adapted from Lloyd C. Douglas’s 1942 novel, this 1950s Hollywood Bible epic tells the faith affirming story of Roman centurion Marcellus Gallio, who crucified Jesus and gradually converts to Christianity, ultimately becoming one of the early martyrs along with his lover, Diana. Marcellus, a disenchanted and drunken Roman tribune, recaptures an escaped Greek slave named Demetrius at an auction. In Rome, Demetrius reunites with his childhood sweetheart, Diana, now ward of Emperor Tiberius and betrothed to the notorious Caligula, Marcellus’s rival. Marcellus bids for Demetrius, saving him from Caligula, earning Demetrius’s loyalty. Vengeful Caligula transfers Marcellus to Jerusalem. Before departing, Marcellus promises marriage to Diana, who pledges to intercede with Tiberius. In Jerusalem, as Jesus is hailed as the Messiah and plotted against by his enemies, Demetrius becomes a devoted follower and tries to save Jesus. Despite his efforts, Jesus is condemned, and Marcellus leads the soldiers who crucify him.

Marcellus wins Jesus’s seamless garment after the crucifixion but treats it trivially, using it during a thunderstorm and experiencing severe pain. Demetrius grabs the robe, condemns Marcellus and Rome, and escapes. Haunted by nightmares and guilt, Marcellus believes the robe is cursed. Emperor Tiberius’s soothsayer confirms this, and Tiberius commissions Marcellus to destroy the robe and find Jesus’s followers, promising Diana’s hand in marriage upon completion. In Cana, Marcellus encounters Christians proclaiming the Resurrection. He meets Demetrius, experiences miraculous healing from the robe, and is converted. Marcellus joins the apostle Peter and travels to Rome under Caligula. Demetrius is captured, but Marcellus, with Diana’s help, rescues him. While fleeing, they are captured, and Marcellus surrenders to save Demetrius. Before Caligula, they refuse to renounce Jesus. Before their execution, Diana entrusts the robe to Marcipor, a secret Christian, to deliver to Peter.

Jeremiah (1998): 90 mts

Director: Harry Winer

Cast:  Patrick Dempsey, Oliver Reed, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Hitcham Ibrahimi, Leonor Varela, Mohamed Majd, Vincent Regan.

This film dramatizes the life of Jeremiah, one of the most important Old Testament prophets, who lived during ancient Israel’s most crisis-ridden times. His prophetic life spans from King Josiah’s rule to the Babylonian destruction of Solomon’s Temple and Israel’s enslavement. Jeremiah, the son of Temple priest Hilkiah, is called to prophesy while young. He preaches repentance and warns Israel against idol worship, resulting in brutal persecution, but his prophecies come true. As a boy, Jeremiah visits Jerusalem, sees the sanctuary with the Ark of the Covenant, and has a vision in which an angel calls him to be God’s prophet. Though he feels that he is very young, God assures him of his calling. Jeremiah falls in love with Judith and promises to marry her. During the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar’s quest to conquer Jerusalem, Jeremiah performs his first priestly duties. Despite Israel’s compromise with Nebuchadnezzar and idol worship, Jeremiah’s visions demand repentance to avoid Babylonian enslavement. Ignoring his warnings, the king seeks an alliance with Egypt. Jeremiah prophesies invasion and promises divine protection if the people repent, but faces persecution from the king’s advisors and false prophets. God commands Jeremiah to remain single and sends Ezra as his scribe. Nebuchadnezzar makes Zedekiah king, who listens to but wavers on Jeremiah’s advice. Safan, the king’s adviser, plots against Jeremiah, resulting in his torture and imprisonment. Judith is murdered, and her family enslaved. Nebuchadnezzar conquers Judah and makes Zedekiah his vassal. After his release, Jeremiah continues his mission, predicting Jerusalem’s fall, which comes true. He also speaks of Israel’s restoration and the future arrival of God’s Kingdom, including other nations.

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Cabrini (2024) runtime: 145 minutes.

Director: Alejandro Gómez Monteverde

Cast: Cristiana Dell’Anna, David Morse Romana Maggiora Vergano Federico Ielapi Virginia Bocelli Rolando Villazón Giancarlo Giannini John Lithgow

This biopic celebrates the incredible life of Saint Frances Cabrini, the first Catholic saint of the USA. Born Maria Francesca Cabrini in 1850 in Lombardy, she was the youngest of thirteen children in a peasant family. Despite facing discouragement due to poor health, Francesca pursued her dream of missionary work. She founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and met Pope Leo XIII, expressing her desire to serve in China. Instead, she was directed to New York to aid Italian immigrants living in dire poverty.  Despite her own health struggles, she established hospitals and over 67 institutions to serve the needy, becoming a beacon of hope. She passed away in 1917 and was canonized in 1946.  The film vividly portrays the harsh realities faced by Italian immigrants in late 19th-century New York City and the discrimination they endured. We meet Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, battling lung disease but unwavering in her determination to establish a missionary community. Despite societal norms barring women from such missions, Frances holds onto her childhood dream of serving in China. Rebuffed by a Cardinal in Rome, she appeals directly to the Pope, expressing her desire to aid the poor in China. Recognizing her fervor, the Pope grants her an exception, redirecting her to New York. Struggling to find housing, Frances finds herself sheltered in a brothel, facing harassment. Despite the Archbishop’s discouragement, she secures his support with a recommendation from the Pope. Immersed in a hospital establishment, her health deteriorates, yet she perseveres. Confronting the city’s sleazy underworld and bureaucratic indifference, Frances triumphs. She lived to 67, witnessing America’s recognition of her work. Her mission later expanded to the Far East, leaving an enduring legacy of compassion.

The Story of Ruth (1960): Runtime: 132 minutes

Director: Henry Koster

Cast: Elana Eden, Stuart Whitman, Tom Tryon, Peggy Wood, Viveca Lindfors, Jeff Morrow

A modern retelling of the Book of Ruth, this poignant tale delves into themes of love and family bonds. Ruth and her sister Orpha, married to brothers Mahlon and Chilion, find themselves in Moab as Judean immigrants during the time of the Judges. Ruth, initially destined for sacrifice as a priestess of the Moabite deity Chemos, is spared due to a blemish. Despite her role, she forms a bond with a sacrificial pupil named Tebah. Mahlon, an artisan, is tasked with adorning Tebah’s ritual crown, leading to debates that challenge Ruth’s faith. Horrified by the practice of child sacrifice, Ruth flees but faces punishment. Meanwhile, Naomi’s family suffers imprisonment and enslavement. Ruth helps Mahlon escape, and they marry before his death. When Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem, Ruth vows to stay by her side. In Bethlehem, Boaz, a kinsman, offers assistance, setting the stage for a tale of redemption and enduring loyalty. Moab and Israel were traditional enemies. Ruth is wary of Boaz’s support because she is from Moab. Boaz sends provisions to the two widows through Tob, one of his kinsmen. However, Tob develops feelings for Ruth, causing tension. Boaz extends his hospitality to the women, impressing Ruth with his nobility. As their relationship deepens, Tob becomes Boaz’s rival, claiming Ruth as his right according to custom. Ruth faces further challenge when two Moabite men arrive to trap her, accusing her of idol worship. Boaz, secretly judging the case, witnesses Ruth’s admission of her past idolatry and exposes the men’s ignorance of Israel and its laws. With Naomi’s help, Ruth persuades Tob to renounce his claim, and Boaz marries her, setting the stage for her eventual role as the great-grandmother of King David.

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