Films about faith often delve into the human experience of belief, religion, and spirituality. They can span a variety of genres, from drama to historical epics, and often feature characters grappling with their beliefs or seeking to understand different spiritual paths. Many of these movies explore themes of redemption, the meaning of existence, and the power of faith in difficult circumstances. Some are based on true stories, while others are fictional narratives that use faith as a central theme.
Here is a list of films about faith, with brief descriptions:
“The Mission”, 1986
Director: Roland Joffé
This historical drama directed by Roland Joffé tells the story of Spanish Jesuit priests who protect a South American Indigenous tribe from slavery under the guise of conversion, examining the conflict between faith and colonial interests.
Starring: Robert De Niro, Jeremy Irons, Ray McAnally, Aidan Quinn, Cherie Lunghi, Ronald Pickup, Chuck Low, Liam Neeson, Bercelio Moya, Sigifredo Ismare;
Production year: 1986;
Genre: drama, adventure, history;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 125 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “The Mission” on the website imdb.com
“The Shack”, 2017
Director: Stuart Hazeldine
Based on William P. Young's bestselling novel, this Christian drama follows a grieving father who receives a mysterious invitation to meet with God at a place called The Shack, leading to spiritual revelations and healing.
Starring: Sam Worthington, Octavia Spencer, Tim McGraw, Radha Mitchell, Megan Charpentier, Gage Munroe, Amélie Eve, Avraham Aviv Alush, Sumire, Alice Braga;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: fantasy, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 132 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,3;
“Life of Pi”, 2012
Director: Ang Lee
Directed by Ang Lee, this visually stunning adaptation of Yann Martel's novel follows a young man named Pi who survives a shipwreck and shares a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger, exploring themes of faith, survival, and storytelling.
Starring: Suraj Sharma, Irfan Khan, Ayush Tandon, Gautam Belur, Adil Hussain, Tabu, Ayaan Khan, Mohd. Abbas Khaleeli, Vibish Sivakumar, Rafe Spall, Gérard Depardieu;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: fantasy, drama, adventure;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 127 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
More information about the film “Life of Pi” on the website imdb.com
“Silence”, 2016
Director: Martin Scorsese
Martin Scorsese directs this historical drama about two 17th-century Portuguese Jesuit priests who face persecution and crisis of faith while searching for their missing mentor in Japan, a country hostile to Christianity at the time.
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, Liam Neeson, Tadanobu Asano, Ciarán Hinds, Issei Ogata, Shinya Tsukamoto, Yoshi Oida, Yosuke Kubozuka, Kaoru Endô;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 161 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
“The Prince of Egypt”, 1998
Director: Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner, Simon Wells
An animated musical drama produced by DreamWorks Animation, it tells the biblical story of Moses, from his royal upbringing to his leadership of the Hebrews out of Egypt.
Starring: Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Goldblum, Danny Glover, Patrick Stewart, Helen Mirren, Steve Martin, Martin Short;
Production year: 1998;
Genre: animation, musical, fantasy, drama, adventure, family;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 99 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “The Prince of Egypt” on the website imdb.com
“A Man for All Seasons”, 1966
Director: Fred Zinnemann
This film, directed by Fred Zinnemann, is the story of Sir Thomas More, who stood up to King Henry VIII when the King rejected the Roman Catholic Church to obtain a divorce and remarriage.
Starring: Paul Scofield, Wendy Hiller, Leo McKern, Robert Shaw, Orson Welles, Susannah York, Nigel Davenport, John Hurt, Corin Redgrave, Colin Blakely;
Production year: 1966;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: g;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “A Man for All Seasons” on the website imdb.com
“Dead Man Walking”, 1995
Director: Tim Robbins
Directed by Tim Robbins, this film stars Susan Sarandon as a nun who forms a unique bond with a death row inmate (played by Sean Penn), exploring themes of redemption and the power of faith and forgiveness.
Starring: Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon, Robert Prosky, Raymond J. Barry, Peter Sarsgaard, Celia Weston, R. Lee Ermey, Lois Smith, Scott Wilson, Roberta Maxwell;
Production year: 1995;
Genre: drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 122 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Dead Man Walking” on the website imdb.com
These films vary greatly in style, historical period, and perspective on faith, but all provide intriguing explorations of spiritual and religious themes.
In summary, films about faith encompass a wide spectrum of genres and themes, exploring the complexities of spirituality, belief, and human existence. They provoke thoughtful introspection regarding the definition of faith, and the ways in which it influences characters' decisions and resilience. Whether these films present faith as a central plot element or a subtle undertone, they ultimately offer powerful narratives about hope, redemption, and the human spirit. Through diverse storytelling techniques, such films encourage viewers to reflect on their own beliefs and the influence of faith in their lives, making them a critical and indispensable part of cinematic history.
