50 Films That You Wouldn’t Think Were Christian, But Actually Are

Dune (1984)

David Lynch has practically disowned Dune and continues to dodge questions about it in interviews. But while the finished product is a mess in any of its four versions, there are moments in which its spiritual ideas come together in a powerful way. While most of Frank Herbert€™s novel is concerned with Zen or Eastern mysticism, there are little Christian motifs throughout, culminating in the revelation of Paul Atreides as the god-like being who will end all wars and unite all peoples.

Eraserhead (1977)

Go a few years back in time, and you will find the Bible€™s fingerprints all over David Lynch€™s terrifying debut feature. On one level Eraserhead explores the Old Testament concept of the sins of the father being visited upon the son, with the twisted mutant baby as the manifestation of the darkest and blackest parts of Henry€™s soul. The man in the moon pulling levers at the beginning and end also suggests God has set all of these events in motion. But it€™s not all doom and gloom, as the final scene with the Girl in the Radiator points towards redemption, suggesting that in heaven, everything is fine.

Eyes Wide Shut (1999)

Kubrick€™s last film has been called many things €“ a powerful commentary on the role of sex in Western culture, a slow-burning character drama, or €œthe inane ramblings of a man who needed to get out more€ (Mark Kermode). But Bill and Alice€™s romantic odyssey also has an air of Eden about it. Alice recounts a nightmare about leaving a garden, while at Zeigler€™s party both Bill and Alice are tempted by the advances of the opposite sex. One could argue the film is set just after the eviction from Eden, with the two wandering around in darkness and finally finding each other.

Gladiator (2000)

Gladiator is proof that you can have metaphysics and fist fights in the same film. Beginning and ending in the Elysian fields (the Roman conception of Heaven), Ridley Scott€™s third masterpiece explores the nature of devotion and sacrifice, with Maximus willing to die in the name of not just what is right, but what he loves. The final confrontation between Maximus and Commodus is both a rip-roaring fight scene and a kinetic exploration of Man€™s relationship with God, death and the earthly powers, whose presence distracts and obstructs us from our heavenly calling.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Parts I & II (2010-11)

The conservative church will live to regret its opposition to the Harry Potter series of novels and films. Not only are its comments about them €œencouraging witchcraft€ utter nonsense, but the later instalments rival Narnia as a form of Christian allegory. The last two films find the Christ figure Harry wandering the wilderness, encountering various temptations and trying to protect the people he loves. This first part is preparation for his equivalent of ministry, finally having the strength to confront Voldemort, appearing to die and then returning triumphant.
 
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Freelance copywriter, film buff, community radio presenter. Former host of The Movie Hour podcast (http://www.lionheartradio.com/ and click 'Interviews'), currently presenting on Phonic FM in Exeter (http://www.phonic.fm/). Other loves include theatre, music and test cricket.