2. Diary Of A Country Priest
There's a stark contrast between this film and some of the others on the list, specifically The Ten Commandments and Ben-Hur, which are loud, bombastic cinematic events. Diary of a Country Priest is far more humble and contemplative, dealing with issues of faith rather than biblical events. It has at its center a young priest who is sent to his first parish, and met with a great deal of resistance from his congregation. The people in his catechism class openly mock him, and when he visits the home of a Countess to help her resume communion before she dies, her daughter spreads a rumor that his harsh temper with her led to her death. If there's only one reason to give Diary of a Country Priest a chance, it's because it's one of Martin Scorcese's favorite films, and has a marked influence on Taxi Driver. But it also happens to be a genuinely solid film that launched French filmmaker Robert Bresson's career on the international stage.