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Five Films That Moved Me

Author: Jack Regan

Picture: Pexels

Five Films That Moved Me

Movie fan Jack Regan shares five flms which have moved him over the years.

I have to be honest: I don’t really get paintings or sculpture. I am not much of a music fan, and I definitely don’t get ‘modern art’. For me, there is only really one form of art I really get, and that is the one that comes courtesy of a screen. The bigger, the better.

 

With that in mind, I offer, in no particular order, five films which have spoken to me over the years and which speak of God's work.

 

1. Amazing Grace (2006)

This film tells the story of William Wilberforce and his fight to abolish slavery in the British Empire, culminating in the Slave Trade act of 1807. It also brings in, and rather beautifully, the story of John Newton, the former slave ship Captain turned Christian pastor who wrote the famous song which gives the movie its title. A must-see for anyone who wants to get a grasp of the impact that Christians have had in British history. Look out for a particularly powerful scene where Newton tells Wilberforce about the “twenty thousand ghosts” he transported. One of the best scenes in this, or any other, movie.

2. The Last Samurai (2003)

 

This is a fictional story  which focuses on one of the most fascinating periods in Japanese history – the Mejii restoration, when Japan finally opened itself up to the West and in the process turned its back on large parts of its traditional heritage. Tom Cruise stars at Nathan Algren, a US officer fresh from the American Civil War hired by the Japanese government to train its fledgling westernised army. He falls into the hands of the Samurai and eventually falls in love with their simple integrity, finding in it something he’d long since lost in his own life. A great movie for reflecting on honour, identity, integrity and beauty. 

 

3. A Knight's Tale (2001)

This is a slightly tongue-in-cheek movie about a young peasant who pretends to be a Knight and enters jousting competitions. Sounds a little silly I know, but trust me, it’s anything but. In fact, it’s incredibly moving. Complete with an all-start cast including Heath Ledger, Paul Bettany, Mark Addy and Rufus Sewell, it’s a fantastic take on friendship, courage, family, loyalty, and destiny. The film’s central message – for me at least – is that we are all somebody, and we all matter. An easy message for Christians to take even deeper.

4. Apollo 13 (1995)

A true story, telling of the explosion aboard a NASA spaceship in 1970 and the frantic attempts by a committed group of people to save the three astronauts on board. The movie does a good job of making you feel the hopelessness of the situation as well as every obstacle and frustration the NASA team faced in trying to bring their people home. Everyone who knows their history knows how it ends, but it does not matter - the final scene where the capsule appears through the clouds and Tom Hanks’ voice is heard on the radio is still absolutely beautiful! For me, the whole thing says a lot about death and resurrection.

5. Les Misérables (2012)

A film which is not only notable for the music. It is also a great story set in yet another fascinating period of history. Jean Valjean is a prisoner released from jail after a long stretch who, after struggling to find work, returns to his old ways and decides to steal from a Bishop. The Bishop sees something in him and gives him a second chance, telling him to keep what he has taken and to use it to build a good life for himself. A brilliant story about redemption, salvation, family, forgiveness and struggle.

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