THE GOSPEL IN FILM — THE TEN GREATEST MOVIES EVER MADE (ACCORDING TO ME)
Film, in its highest form, is more than entertainment; it is story made visible, light piercing darkness, imagination shaped by truth. The greatest films endure not merely for their artistry, but because they touch something eternal in the human soul.
As I reflect on ten of the greatest movies of the classical period and beyond, I see the Gospel woven through their narratives—truths that remind us of grace, justice, mercy, and redemption.
1. Casablanca (1942)
At the top stands Casablanca, a story of love, sacrifice, and moral courage. Rick Blaine’s personal desires are set aside for the sake of others, displaying the Gospel call to lay down self-interest for the good of the neighbor. The courage to do what is right, even when it costs, mirrors Christ’s ultimate sacrifice and the quiet heroism of living faithfully under God’s law.
2. Shane (1953)
Shane tells of a lone gunslinger who enters a troubled valley, not to rule or claim glory, but to protect the innocent. He departs as quietly as he came, leaving behind a legacy of justice tempered with mercy. Here is the Gospel principle of the servant who comes not to be served but to serve, leaving the world better than he found it.
3. Citizen Kane (1941)
Citizen Kane examines the futility of earthly wealth and the hollowness of ambition unanchored by love. Charles Foster Kane amasses possessions, yet finds that riches cannot fill the heart. The Gospel teaches the same truth: all that glitters in this world pales before the treasure of a soul reconciled to God (Matthew 6:19-21).
4. The Maltese Falcon (1941)
In The Maltese Falcon, the search for a priceless artifact exposes greed, deceit, and human folly. The story reminds us that only Christ is the treasure worth seeking—fidelity to God, unlike worldly gain, never disappoints.
5. In the Heat of the Night (1967)
In the Heat of the Night portrays prejudice, fear, and the triumph of justice. It demonstrates that standing for what is right, confronting injustice, and seeking truth reflect the heart of God, who calls His people to righteousness and compassion.
6. City Lights (1931)
Chaplin’s City Lights shows us love expressed in humility and kindness. The Tramp’s quiet devotion to the blind flower girl, without expectation of reward, prefigures the selfless love of Christ: giving without calculation, serving without claim, and seeing the value of souls over circumstance.
7. Vertigo (1958)
Hitchcock’s Vertigo explores obsession, redemption, and the human desire to restore what is lost. It is a reminder that only God can truly restore hearts, that human effort alone cannot resurrect the broken, but Christ enters our spirals of despair to redeem and renew.
8. Do the Right Thing (1989)
Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing is a story of tension and justice, of confrontation with anger and systemic wrong. A warning is necessary: this film contains bad language and content that is not suitable for all audiences. Yet beneath its gritty surface lies a lesson about human sin, prejudice, and the need for reconciliation—reflecting of the Gospel’s call to see one another as made in God’s image, even amidst brokenness.
9. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Lawrence of Arabia reminds us of vision, courage, and the cost of mission. The grandeur of desert battles frames the smallness of human ambition, yet also the nobility of sacrifice in a cause greater than oneself. So it is in the Gospel: service, obedience, and courage take precedence over personal comfort or glory.
10. Parasite (2019)
Parasite depicts deception, inequality, and human fallenness with startling clarity. Viewers should be warned: this film contains “adult” themes, and discretion is advised. Yet even here, the Gospel speaks: the consequences of sin are real, the distortions of greed and pride wreak havoc, and the longing for justice points us to the only true Redeemer who can restore life and level every disparity.
In every one of these films, whether through sacrifice, love, justice, or the pursuit of truth, the Gospel shines quietly beneath the story. God’s truth often emerges in the human struggle to do what is right, to love the neighbor, and to seek justice and mercy.
Film, like Scripture, reflects the condition of the heart: broken, longing, and in need of redemption. And as we watch, we are reminded that ultimate hope is not found on the silver screen, but in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
BDD
