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Q: Dear Rabbi Gellman, I follow your column, so I know you have eclectic interests. Do you have favorite films about spiritual issues? Odd question, but here is why I am asking: I work at PlazaMac, a nonprofit art house cinema in Patchogue, New York. I am working with St. Joseph's College and the theology department to put together a series called "Faith in Film." We are in the early planning stages. We don't intend to present histories of religions or Ten Commandment spectaculars (but maybe yes to the spectacular...) Rather, we will focus on how Hollywood considers the spiritual questions and edicts that are common to all religions – questions such as "taking a human life," "church vs. state conflict," "forgiveness vs. eye-for-eye." Even ghosts, as per your recent columns. “The Mission” is my go-to film. I am sure Father Tom knew it, as it is the number one Catholic film, plus being a great Hollywood spectacular. Can't go wrong with Robert DeNiro and a sword.

So I was wondering if you had personal film favorites or suggestions. – (From M in Patchogue, NY)

A: I have been waiting for this question for years! Yes, yes, I love films as works of art but I also love films as works of theology. I am happy to broaden the discussion and use your question as an invitation to all our readers to write in over the coming weeks and share with me favorite films about faith.

Since you have deep roots in Catholicism, let us begin with the Vatican’s list of the 45 greatest films of all time which was issued in 1995 to celebrate the centennial of the first films prepared by the Lumière brothers in December 1895 in France. Pope John Paul II said, “The film industry has become a universal medium exercising a profound influence on the development of people’s attitudes and choices, and possessing a remarkable ability to influence public opinion and culture across all social and political frontiers.” I absolutely agree but would add that the film industry can also be the carrier of anti-religious memes that reinforce old bigotries rather than honoring the moral and theological contribution of faith in our broken world.

The Vatican’s 45 greatest films:

Andrei Rublev (1966)

Babette’s Feast (1987)

(One of my favorites because it uses a banquet of food to symbolize the banquet of community and friendship and faith.)

Ben-Hur (1959)

(Too much spectacle and not enough teaching for me but it is the first great religious film.)

The Flowers of St. Francis (1950)

Francesco (1989)

The Gospel According to St. Matthew (1966)

La Passion de Notre Seigneur Jesus-Christ (1905)

A Man for All Seasons (1966)

(The greatest depiction of the cost of fidelity to God in the face of the demands of the state.)

The Mission (1986)

(Yes, you are right. Tommy loved this film. Speaking about sacrifice was not nearly as impactful as viewing sacrifice.)

Monsieur Vincent (1947)

Nazarin (1958)

Ordet (1955)

The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928)

The Sacrifice (1986)

Therese (1986)

Au Revoir les Enfants (1988)

Bicycle Thieves (1949)

The Burmese Harp (1956)

Chariots of Fire (1981)

Dekalog (1988)

Dersu Uzala (1975)

Gandhi (1982)

Intolerance (1916)

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

(My number one. It is a defense of Providence which is the view that goodness is ultimately rewarded and evil ultimately punished. I think that is the cornerstone belief of all good movies. Nobody wants to see the bad guys win.)

On the Waterfront (1954)

(It is inspiring to see one person stand up against injustice. It helps, of course, if the person is Marlon Brando.)

Rome, Open City (1945)

Schindler’s List (1993)

(The hardest choice about making a film about the Holocaust is the choice to depict the evil fully or to depict it with some veil over it. Spielberg made just the right choices in this perfect Holocaust film.)

The Seventh Seal (1957)

The Tree of Wooden Clogs (1978)

Wild Strawberries (1957)

Citizen Kane (1941)

(Is the rosebud sleigh his innocence or his greed consumed by the fire?)

8½ (1963)

Fantasia (1940)

(“A Night on Bald Mountain” gave me nightmares as a kid. The sorcerer's apprentice gave me nightmares as an adult.)

Grand Illusion (1937)

La Strada (1954)

The Lavender Hill Mob (1951)

The Leopard (1963)

Little Women (1933)

Metropolis (1927)

Modern Times (1936)

Napoleon (1927)

Nosferatu (1922)

Stagecoach (1939)

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

(What is the meaning of the fetus overlooking the earth from outer space in the last scene of this film? HAL seems to have introduced the dangers of AI.)

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

(Is the value of a dull home greater than the allure of an Emerald City? Frankly, I don’t think so. I’m staying in Oz!)

More next week…

(Send ALL QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS to The God Squad via email at godsquadquestion@aol.com. Rabbi Gellman is the author of several books, including “Religion for Dummies,” co-written with Fr. Tom Hartman. Also, the new God Squad podcast is now available.)

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