CanonLaw.info

 

Canon Law
   Books
   Articles/Reviews
   Speaking/Media
   Canonistics
   Other
Liturgy
   Documentation
Catholic Issues
   Articles/Reviews
   Latin
   Greek
   Other
Personal
   Special Needs
   Fine Films
   Dessert Wines
   In Memoriam
   Links
Bio Sketch
Notices/Vendors
E-Mail Webmaster

 

This website is best viewed 1152 x 864

Edward Peters

 

Personal Fine Films


 

Fine Films for the Catholic Home

        In these recommendations, "Catholic homes" is not a circumlocution for "children's videos." It is assumed that adults can and should assess for themselves the degree to which various characterizations, plots, dialogue, and so forth reflect sound moral thinking. Indeed, some films, or at least certain events or characters in certain films, teach moral lessons through a via negativa, albeit in an artistically responsible manner. It is further assumed that parents will decide for themselves which films or parts of films might be unsuitable for children of various maturities and experiences. Finally, with due regard for the fact that objective criteria for evaluating films can be, should be, and have been applied herein, the maxim still applies, De gustibus non disputandum est.

        The rating system here is simple. Because the films included below are already considered "fine", a single star () means it should be seen carefully at least once, two stars () indicates that the film well rewards a second watching, and three stars () means the film surely deserves three or more viewings.

 

 

Explicit Religious Themes/Characters, Non Fiction:

 

        Each of the following films is based on a true story. That is not the same thing as saying that everything in these films happened exactly the way the director portrays it. Poetic license is always in play.

 

Year Title Rating

Format

Director Stars
1917 Joan the Woman [DVD] [VHS ] De Mille Farrar
1943 Song of Bernadette [DVD] [VHS] King Jones
1956 The Ten Commandments [DVD] [VHS] De Mille Heston, Brynner
1964 Becket [DVD] [VHS] Glenville Burton, O'Toole
1965 The Agony and the Ecstasy [DVD] [VHS] Reed Heston, Harrison
1965 The Sound of Music  [DVD] [VHS] Wise Andrews, Plummer
1966 A Man for All Seasons  [DVD] [VHS] Zinnemann Scofield, Shaw, Hiller, McKern
1977 Jesus of Nazareth  [DVD] [VHS] Zeffirelli Powell, Hussey, etc.
1981 Chariots of Fire [DVD] [VHS] Hudson Cross, Charleson, Holm
1993 Shadowlands  [DVD] [VHS] Attenborough Hopkins, Winger, Mazzello

Explicit Religious Themes/Characters, Fiction:

Year Title Rating

Format

Director Stars
1950 [Diary of a Country Priest] [DVD][VHS] Bresson Laydu, Arnel
1953 I Confess  [DVD] [VHS] Hitchcock Clift, Baxter
1954

On the Waterfront

[DVD] [VHS]

Kazan Brando, Malden, Cobb, Stieger
1955 Marty [DVD] [VHS] Mann Borgnine, Blair
1959 The Nun's Story [DVD] [VHS] Zinnemann Hepburn, Finch
1963 Lilies of the Field [DVD] [VHS] Nelson Poitier, Skala
1971 Fiddler on the Roof  [DVD] [VHS] Jewison Topol, Crane, Frey
1981 Brideshead Revisited [DVD] [VHS] Hogg/Sturridge Irons, Andrews, Quick, Olivier
1984 Tender Mercies [DVD] [VHS] Beresford Duvall, Harper
1989 Babette's Feast [DVD] [VHS] Axel Audran
1989 Crimes & Misdemeanors  [DVD] [VHS] Allen Allen, Landau, Huston, Orbach
1990 Alice [DVD] [VHS] Allen Farrow, Hurt, Mantegna, Danner

Implicit Religious Themes/Characters:

Year Title Rating

Format

Director Stars
1988 Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe [DVD] [VHS] Fox Kellerman, Perry, Dempsey
1989 Broadway Danny Rose  [VHS] [DVD] Allen Allen, Forte, Farrow
2001 Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring  [VHS] [DVD] Jackson Wood, McClellan, Holm

 

 Evelyn Waugh Novels on Film:

      "Of all the British and American authors of the 20th century, I think Evelyn Waugh is the only one, with the possible exception of P. G. Wodehouse, who never went out of fashion."- Alistair Cooke

Year Title Rating

Format

Director Stars
1960 The Loved One [DVD] [VHS] Richardson Morse, Winters
1981 Brideshead Revisited [DVD] [VHS] Hogg/Sturridge Irons, Andrews
1987 Scoop [DVD] [VHS] Millar Maloney, Elliot
1988 A Handful of Dust [DVD] [VHS] Sturridge Wilby, Thomas

 


Top || Home || Canon Law || Liturgy & Sacraments || Catholic Issues || Personal