I would add "Beckett" to the list. If only for the sequences where Beckett is transformed, through conscience and grace, from libertine, profligate, and champion of the king, to lover of God and God's honor, and defender of the faith, all capped by the profession of his now unshakable commitment in a prayer-monologue delivered to perfection as only Richard Burton could .
PLEASE make a checklist format of the names of these 100 films! So we can print it out and keep it by the TV, and keep track of what we have seen and what we still need to watch!
Fantastic list and I can only imagine how much time you spent putting this together. Also a great movie list recommendation to anyone who searches for meaningful movies to watch. Especially the less known classics you listed are wonderful and I hope many will watch them after seeing your list.
Brilliant list, and fantastically articulated. Orson Wells said we shouldn't watch too many movies. "Don't be marinated; don't soak yourself in films. But of course you must see films, and you must see great films."
Lists like this are so important because lest we fall prey to the notion that watching movies is merely frivolous entertainment, or when we become overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of movies available to watch, it is necessary to know which ones to see. I've just started working through this in my own posts. Thank you for curating this list and providing such excellent commentary.
I always remember Thomas More's line from "Man For All Seasons": "Why Richard, it profits a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world.....but for Wales?"
Fantastic list! Having seen so many of these already, re-encountering them on this list made me want to give them a second viewing with more of a mind to our faith.
One question, though. Is there a reason you didn’t include Martin Scorcerse’s semi-recent adaption of Shushaku Endo’s (a Japanese Catholic author) Silence? It was a profoundly stirring movie and one that redoubled my faith when I saw it as a teenager, although I know some Catholics have trouble with the apostasy scene at the end. But I think no other book or movie has as compellingly grappled with the herculean task and repression that the missionaries in Japan faced. It was strange to not see it on here.
Thank you for all the articles and reviews. Even though I do not agree with a fair number of them (Ben Hur? Gah!), this Substack is an invaluable source of Catholic perspectives on films, and I have discovered numerous interesting works thanks to your efforts. God bless!
As good as this list is how do the authors ignore the most hauntingly powerful tale of Mexico’s popular revolution and victory of the Catholic Church over its government’s attempt to destroy it? A destruction attempted by its Harvard graduate government!
You speak of For Greater Glory, I presume? A fine film, may very well make the next list! I remember being really moved by it when I saw it in theaters.
Thank you for putting together this beautifully done list of movies. I love the old unabashedly Catholic films you shared here , including one of my most favorite of all, The Lillies of the Field. Such a great classic but one I don’t think many people look for or know about these days. Anyway, this list is *chef’s kiss*!
Check out The Island (2006 Russian movie) not the 2005 American one-different movie. It has very few words and is a bit haunting but one of the best Catholic/Orthodox themed movies I’ve ever seen
You want to add The Wrong Man, a masterpiece by Alfred Hitchcock that deals with God's providence in the face of evil and really shows Hitchcock's Catholic faith as a grounding creative force.
This post is a total gem in every way. You folks are so talented and well, CLASSIC. It is a joy to have been a part of this. Thank you so much!!!
Thanks Onalee! It's been an honor and a joy.
I would add "Beckett" to the list. If only for the sequences where Beckett is transformed, through conscience and grace, from libertine, profligate, and champion of the king, to lover of God and God's honor, and defender of the faith, all capped by the profession of his now unshakable commitment in a prayer-monologue delivered to perfection as only Richard Burton could .
PLEASE make a checklist format of the names of these 100 films! So we can print it out and keep it by the TV, and keep track of what we have seen and what we still need to watch!
I love that idea! We'll see what we can do.
Fantastic list and I can only imagine how much time you spent putting this together. Also a great movie list recommendation to anyone who searches for meaningful movies to watch. Especially the less known classics you listed are wonderful and I hope many will watch them after seeing your list.
Brilliant list, and fantastically articulated. Orson Wells said we shouldn't watch too many movies. "Don't be marinated; don't soak yourself in films. But of course you must see films, and you must see great films."
Lists like this are so important because lest we fall prey to the notion that watching movies is merely frivolous entertainment, or when we become overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of movies available to watch, it is necessary to know which ones to see. I've just started working through this in my own posts. Thank you for curating this list and providing such excellent commentary.
Thank you! Fully agree with Welles
I just watched #1! A couple days after you posted this. Shaw as Henry VIII… eery, wild, memorable portrayal.
I always remember Thomas More's line from "Man For All Seasons": "Why Richard, it profits a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world.....but for Wales?"
Better list than I was expecting by far. I was worried there was going to be a lot of Charlton Heston.
Oof the Heston slander hurts my heart. ;P
I think we had just the right amount ;)
Fantastic list! Having seen so many of these already, re-encountering them on this list made me want to give them a second viewing with more of a mind to our faith.
One question, though. Is there a reason you didn’t include Martin Scorcerse’s semi-recent adaption of Shushaku Endo’s (a Japanese Catholic author) Silence? It was a profoundly stirring movie and one that redoubled my faith when I saw it as a teenager, although I know some Catholics have trouble with the apostasy scene at the end. But I think no other book or movie has as compellingly grappled with the herculean task and repression that the missionaries in Japan faced. It was strange to not see it on here.
It's not on our list, but we did write about it!: https://substack.com/@100catholicmovies/p-144113256
Thank you for all the articles and reviews. Even though I do not agree with a fair number of them (Ben Hur? Gah!), this Substack is an invaluable source of Catholic perspectives on films, and I have discovered numerous interesting works thanks to your efforts. God bless!
Hacksaw Ridge needs to be on this list
Keep your eyes peeled for our next list!
As good as this list is how do the authors ignore the most hauntingly powerful tale of Mexico’s popular revolution and victory of the Catholic Church over its government’s attempt to destroy it? A destruction attempted by its Harvard graduate government!
You speak of For Greater Glory, I presume? A fine film, may very well make the next list! I remember being really moved by it when I saw it in theaters.
Yes I do and happy you know of it, all the more reason for it to have been included.
Some great ones here! However I would have included Jean de Florette/Manon of the Spring. In my opinion the best films ever made.
I loved it too!
Thank you for putting together this beautifully done list of movies. I love the old unabashedly Catholic films you shared here , including one of my most favorite of all, The Lillies of the Field. Such a great classic but one I don’t think many people look for or know about these days. Anyway, this list is *chef’s kiss*!
Check out The Island (2006 Russian movie) not the 2005 American one-different movie. It has very few words and is a bit haunting but one of the best Catholic/Orthodox themed movies I’ve ever seen
You want to add The Wrong Man, a masterpiece by Alfred Hitchcock that deals with God's providence in the face of evil and really shows Hitchcock's Catholic faith as a grounding creative force.
You're going to love the next list! ;)