100 Bible Films
The 100 films featured in the forthcoming BFI book "100 Bible Films" by Matt Page.
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100 titles
- DirectorGeorges HatotLouis LumièreStarsBretteauThe Lumière catalog sold this title as 13 individual, one-scene films - allowing exhibitors to choose which films they wanted to purchase and how to arrange them in their programs. Lumière catalog no. 933 through 945.
- DirectorLucien NonguetBiblical and ancient scenes depicting a gladiator, martyrs, Daniel with the lions, and Belshazzar's feast in four different segments.
- DirectorAlice GuyThe life of Jesus Christ in 25 scenes.
- DirectorFerdinand ZeccaDepicting well-known incidents in the life of Jesus Christ, this milestone of early cinema won world fame, huge audiences and a screen life of decades when most secular films of the time measured their commercial life in weeks.
- DirectorLouis FeuilladeStarsRenée CarlNadette DarsonAlice Tissot
- DirectorHenri Andréani
- DirectorSidney OlcottStarsR. Henderson BlandPercy DyerGene GauntierAn account of the life of Jesus Christ according to the New Testament, told as a series of tableaus interspersed with Bible verses.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsBlanche SweetHenry B. WalthallMae MarshA religious woman seeks to save her people from destruction by seducing and murdering the enemy leader, but her plans get complicated once she falls for him.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsLillian GishRobert HarronMae MarshThe story of a poor young woman separated by prejudice from her husband and baby is interwoven with tales of intolerance from throughout history.
- DirectorCarl Theodor DreyerStarsHelge NissenHalvard HoffJacob TexiereIn 4 episodic tales of human suffering: the temptation of Jesus, the Spanish Inquisition, the French Revolution and the Russo-Finnish war of 1918, Satan attempts to win God's favor.
- DirectorPier Antonio GariazzoArmando VeyStarsUmberto SemprebeneAda MarucelliBruto CastellaniTouted at the time as a "$3,000,000 Entertainment for the Hundred Millions," this Old Testament spectacle delivered what it promised, "from the creation of Adam and Eve to the parting of the Red Sea." The advertising claimed it was filmed over a period of five years at the "Exact Locations of Biblical History." Little is known about the actual production, which has puzzled film scholars given its international box-office success. This edition was made from the only complete copy known to exist, a mint 16mm print of the 1929 7-reel sound reissue.
- DirectorDimitri BuchowetzkiStarsAdolf FaßnachtElsa DietlerGeorg FaßnachtA depiction of Jesus Christ's life centered on the treason and the trial.
- DirectorCharles BryantAlla NazimovaStarsAlla NazimovaNigel De BrulierMitchell LewisSalome, the daughter of Herodias, seduces her step-father/uncle Herod, governor of Judea, with a salacious dance. In return, he promises her the head of the prophet John the Baptist.
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsGeorg ReimersVictor VarconiLucy DoraineWhen the old multimillionaire Jackson Harber wants to marry the young model Mary, she hesitates, but her mother convinces her that this is her chance to lead a life in luxury and leisure. The engagement is celebrated with an extravagant party at his estate, which is a gigantic palace and park in oriental style. His son Eduard arrives from Cambridge, accompanied by a priest, who is his tutor. The priest is disgusted by the bacchanalian reveling and womanizing going on everywhere. Mary's adorer, the sculptor Harry Lighton, tries to convince her to break the engagement. When she refuses, he shoots himself and is seriously injured. Mary falls asleep and is transported in her dream to the Biblical story of Sodom and Gomorrah. In the dream she sees herself as the wife of Lot, leaving her husband to play a central role in the excessive rites of the goddess Astarte. An angel arrives and leads Lot and his wife out of Sodom, just when the city starts to collapse. Lot's wife cannot resist looking back, and is because of her disobedience converted into a pillar of salt. The dream opens the eyes of Mary, and when she wakens, she leaves the party and hastens to Harry in the hospital.
- DirectorCecil B. DeMilleStarsTheodore RobertsCharles de RochefortEstelle TaylorAfter hearing the story of Moses, the sons of a devout Christian mother go their own ways, and the atheist brother's breaking of the Ten Commandments leads to tragedy.
- DirectorFred NibloCharles BrabinChristy CabanneStarsRamon NovarroFrancis X. BushmanMay McAvoyA Jewish prince seeks to find his family and revenge himself upon his childhood friend who had him wrongly imprisoned.
- DirectorCecil B. DeMilleStarsH.B. WarnerDorothy CummingErnest TorrenceJesus Christ faces religious and political oppression during his ministry and in the days before his death and resurrection.
- DirectorMichael CurtizDarryl F. ZanuckStarsDolores CostelloGeorge O'BrienNoah BeeryThe Biblical story of Noah and the Great Flood, with a parallel story of soldiers in the First World War.
- DirectorJames Sibley WatsonMelville WebberStarsFriedrich HaakHildegarde WatsonDorthea HouseLot in Sodom is a sensual depiction of the Sodom and Gomorrah story filled with sinewy and semi-clad bodies, delirious bacchanales devoted to physical pleasure, and a searing, cataclysmic finale depicting the fall of a city devoted to sins of the flesh. Digitally mastered from excellent 35mm elements. Lot In Sodom has its original experimental soundtrack by Alec Wilder.
- DirectorJulien DuvivierStarsHarry BaurJean GabinRobert Le ViganThe final days of Jesus from the time he enters the city of Jerusalem. Viewed as a threat, it is decided that he must be captured, tried, and executed as a criminal, a plan aided and abetted by disciple Judas Iscariot.
- DirectorErnest B. SchoedsackMerian C. CooperStarsPreston FosterBasil RathboneDavid HoltIn the doomed Roman city, a gentle blacksmith becomes a corrupt gladiator, while his son leans toward Christianity.
- DirectorMarc ConnellyWilliam KeighleyStarsRex IngramOscar PolkEddie 'Rochester' AndersonGod, heaven, and several Old Testament stories, including the Creation and Noah's Ark, are described supposedly using the perspective of rural, black Americans.
- DirectorJosé Díaz MoralesStarsJosé CibriánAdriana LamarAurora WalkerIt's about the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- DirectorCecil B. DeMilleStarsHedy LamarrVictor MatureGeorge SandersWhen strongman Samson rejects the love of the beautiful Philistine woman Delilah, she seeks vengeance that brings horrible consequences they both regret.
- DirectorHenry KingStarsGregory PeckSusan HaywardRaymond MasseyAfter King David sees the beautiful Bathsheba bathing from the palace roof, he enters into an adulterous affair which has tragic consequences for his family and Israel.
- DirectorMervyn LeRoyAnthony MannStarsRobert TaylorDeborah KerrLeo GennAfter fierce Roman commander Marcus Vinicius becomes infatuated with beautiful Christian hostage Lygia, he begins to question the tyrannical leadership of the despotic emperor Nero.
- DirectorHenry KosterStarsRichard BurtonJean SimmonsVictor MatureIn the Roman province of Judea during the 1st century, Roman tribune Marcellus Gallio is ordered to crucify Jesus of Nazareth but is tormented by his guilty conscience afterwards.
- DirectorReginald Le BorgStarsPaulette GoddardGeorge NaderEduard FranzThe aging Ahab, king of Israel, comes under the influence of a young and beautiful but scheming pagan woman named Jezebel and, against the advice of his advisers and the prophet Elijah, marries her. Her plan to introduce her pagan idols to Israel angers God, who decides to wreak vengeance on Israel.
- DirectorRichard ThorpeStarsLana TurnerEdmund PurdomLouis CalhernA wealthy young Hebrew traveling in Damascus renounces his faith after he is seduced by an alluring pagan priestess and cheated of his fortune by the High Priest as well.
- DirectorCecil B. DeMilleStarsCharlton HestonYul BrynnerAnne BaxterMoses, raised as a prince of Egypt in the Pharaoh's household, learns of his true heritage as a Hebrew and his divine mission as the deliverer of his people from slavery.
- DirectorVivian MilroyLotte ReinigerJan SadloStarsAnthony JacobsBarbara RuickA nativity story animated with music performed by the Glyndeboume Festival Chorus.
- DirectorJules DassinStarsJean ServaisCarl MöhnerGrégoire AslanAfter WW1,ordinary citizens of a small Greek village plays the Passion Play in order to rebel against Turkish rulers during Turkish-Greek relations in 1920's.
- DirectorWilliam WylerStarsCharlton HestonJack HawkinsStephen BoydAfter a Jewish prince is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend in 1st-century Jerusalem, he regains his freedom and comes back for revenge.
- DirectorKing VidorStarsYul BrynnerGina LollobrigidaGeorge SandersAfter becoming king of ancient Israel, Solomon faces threats coming from his jealous dispossessed brother Adonijah, the Egyptian Pharaoh and the scheming Queen of Sheba.
- DirectorRaoul WalshMario BavaStarsJoan CollinsRichard EganDenis O'DeaTwo decades before she would gain fame and some fortune as Alexis Carrington on Dynasty (1981), Dame Joan Collins starred as Esther in this melodramatic, routine Biblical story. The setting is Persia in the fourth century B.C., as Esther comes to the attention of the recently widowed King Ahasuerus. The King has been trying to stifle and defeat the campaign of hatred fomented against the Jews by his evil minister Haman (Sergio Fantoni). Before the King can pair off with Esther and defeat the villainous Haman, there are several intervening adventures and an additional, attractive woman who competes for attention.
- DirectorHenry KosterStarsElana EdenStuart WhitmanTom TryonInspired by the scriptural tale. Moabitess priestess Ruth is drawn both to a Judean man and to his talk of a forgiving God. After tragedy strikes, she begins a new life in Bethlehem.
- DirectorRichard FleischerStarsAnthony QuinnSilvana ManganoArthur KennedyGovernor Pontius Pilate gave the populace a choice to spare either Barabbas, a criminal, or Jesus, condemned as a heretic, from crucifixion. The masses chose Barrabas, and he is haunted by the image of Jesus for the rest of his life.
- DirectorNicholas RayStarsJeffrey HunterSiobhan McKennaHurd HatfieldThe temporary physical life of the Biblical Savior, Jesus Christ.
- DirectorGianfranco ParoliniStarsBrad HarrisIvano StaccioliFranca ParisiThe Jews of Jerusalem are driven out by their Syrian rulers. They gather their forces, and return to drive out their oppressors.
- DirectorPier Paolo PasoliniStarsEnrique IrazoquiMargherita CarusoSusanna PasoliniThe life of Jesus Christ according to the Gospel of Matthew. Pasolini shows Christ as a Marxist avant-la-lettre and therefore uses half of the text of Matthew.
- DirectorGeorge StevensJean NegulescoStarsMax von SydowDorothy McGuireCharlton HestonAn all-star, large scale epic movie that chronicles the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
- DirectorMarcello BaldiFrancisco Pérez-DolzStarsAnton GeesinkIvo GarraniRosalba NeriThe stories of Gideon and Samson from chapters 6-8 and 13-16 of The Book of Judges.
- DirectorJohn HustonStarsMichael ParksUlla BergrydRichard HarrisExtravagant production of the first part of the book of Genesis. Its main highlights are the Garden of Eden, the first brothers, Noah and his family obeying God to build an ark for the Flood and Abraham's attempted sacrifice of Isaac.
- StarsBradaiEdoardo TorricellaJacques DumurThe spread of Christianity, according to Luke's account, 30 years after the death of Jesus: Peter's community, its trials and martyrs; Paul's travels, after his conversion, to Antioch and Rome.
- DirectorLuis BuñuelStarsPaul FrankeurLaurent TerzieffAlain CunyTwo drifters go on a pilgrimage from France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Along the way, they hitchhike, beg for food, and face the Christian dogmas and heresies from different Ages.
- DirectorGareth DaviesStarsColin BlakelyRobert HardyBernard HeptonDennis Potter's controversial reading of the life of Christ, with Jesus portrayed as a hearty, fiery, well-meaning carpenter who believes that people should try to love their enemies rather than fight all the time, but who is racked by self doubt as to whether or not he is the popularly anticipated Messiah.
- DirectorDavid GreeneStarsVictor GarberLynne ThigpenKatie HanleyAn adaption of the musical, in a modern-day song-and-dance recreation of the Gospel of St. Matthew.
- DirectorNorman JewisonStarsTed NeeleyCarl AndersonYvonne EllimanFilm version of the musical stage play, presenting the last few weeks of Christ's life told in an anachronistic manner.
- DirectorRoberto RosselliniStarsPier Maria RossiMita UngaroCarlos de CarvalhoThe story of the life of Jesus Christ.
- DirectorDanièle HuilletJean-Marie StraubStarsGünter ReichLouis DevosEva CsapoIn expressive, melodic tones, the fraternal pair debate God's true message and intent for His creations, a conflict that leads their followers - in extravagantly choreographed song and dance - towards chaos and sin.
- DirectorMichael CampusStarsHarry AndrewsHugh GriffithZalman KingDramatization of the controversial best-seller that posits an alternate version of the birth of Christianity. In this version, Jesus planned for His crucifixion by taking a drug that would simulate death. After His unconscious body was placed in the tomb, a religious sect known as the Zealots would secretly steal Christ's body from the tomb, then spread the rumor that He had risen, thus fulfilling Biblical prophecy.
- StarsRobert PowellOlivia HusseyLaurence OlivierBeginning before the Nativity and extending through the Crucifixion and Resurrection, this mini-series brings to life all of the sweeping drama in the life of Jesus, as told by the Gospels.
- DirectorA. BhimsinghChristopher CoelhoStarsChandramohanRajasulochanaVijayachanderA 160-minute version of the life of Jesus Christ filmed entirely with a cast and crew of Christian Indians in India.
- DirectorJohn KrishPeter SykesStarsBrian DeaconRivka NeumanAlexander ScourbyFilmed on location in Israel at authentic biblical sites, this inspirational drama and commercial success retells the life of Christ.
- DirectorTerry JonesStarsGraham ChapmanJohn CleeseMichael PalinBorn on the original Christmas in the stable next door to Jesus Christ, Brian of Nazareth spends his life being mistaken for a messiah.
- DirectorErmanno OlmiStarsAlberto FumagalliAntonio CucciarrèEligio MartellucciThe assuming of responsibility by individuals, the use of science for man and not against him, the duty of truth to increase the stature of people, all together: these are the important themes this movie debates in allegorical form. Roles are performed by non professional actors and actresses.
- DirectorJean-Luc GodardStarsMyriem RousselThierry RodePhilippe LacosteA college student gets pregnant without having intercourse, affecting people close and unrelated to her in different ways.
- DirectorBruce BeresfordStarsRichard GereEdward WoodwardAlice KrigeThe Biblical story of Israel's greatest King.
- DirectorAmos GitaiStarsSimone BenyaminiMohammad BakriJuliano Mer-KhamisAhasverus, king of Persia and Media, puts aside Vashti and makes Esther his queen, choosing her among maidens in a kingdom stretching from India to Ethiopia. Esther, using information from Mordecai, her uncle and patron, saves the king from assassination. Haman, the king's favorite, is miffed when Mordecai won't bow to him, so he orders death to all Jews in the kingdom, under the seal of the king. Esther pleads for her people, and Mordecai is in turn given license to make his own edict under the king's seal. Mordecai loses sight of his original intention, and bloody murder ensues. Purim annually celebrates the story. At the end of the film, the actors comment.
- DirectorSisworo Gautama PutraStarsSuzzannaPaul HayEddy GunawanYoung Samson sees his mother murdered by a soldier from the Netherlands. His grandfather sends him supernatural powers and makes him invulnerable. All grown up Samson is ready for revenge and nothing can stop him. He survives the worst violence and the occult powers of his enemies. His actions win the sympathy of the people. Then the sumptuous Delilah decides to seduce him.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsWillem DafoeHarvey KeitelBarbara HersheyThe life of Jesus Christ, his journey through life as he faces the struggles all humans do, and his final temptation on the cross.
- DirectorDenys ArcandStarsLothaire BluteauCatherine WilkeningJohanne-Marie TremblayA group of actors put on an unorthodox, but acclaimed Passion Play which incites the opposition of the Catholic Church while the actors' lives themselves begin to mirror the Passion itself.
- DirectorDerek JarmanStarsTilda SwintonJohnny MillsPhilip MacDonaldA nearly wordless visual narrative inter cuts two main stories and a couple of minor ones.
- DirectorRegardt van den BerghStarsRichard KileyBruce MarchianoGerrit SchoonhovenThe plot follows the birth, preaching, teaching and miracles of Jesus. He preached and lived a radical message of God's Love and was able to heal people of lifelong disabilities and illnesses and was able to command natural phenomena.
- DirectorYoussef ChahineStarsYoussraKhaled NabawyMahmoud HemidaRam leaves the nomadic life and embarks on a quest for knowledge in a pharaonic Egypt mired in political intrigue. Based on a biblical story.
- DirectorHal HartleyStarsMartin DonovanPJ HarveyDave SimondsThe end of the millenium has taken on a certain significance in modern day prophecies. What happens if Jesus Christ has second thoughts about the Apocalypse? It is December 31, 1999 and New Year's Eve takes on new meaning when the Devil, Jesus Christ, and Christ's assistant Magdelina discuss and debate the end of the world, the opening of the seven seals, and the essence of being human.
- DirectorHarry WinerStarsPatrick DempseyOliver ReedKlaus Maria BrandauerJeremiah tells the story of the prophet who abandons his family and the woman he loves in order to relay God's message in Jerusalem, starring Patrick Dempsey and Oliver Reed.
- DirectorBrenda ChapmanSteve HicknerSimon WellsStarsVal KilmerRalph FiennesMichelle PfeifferEgyptian Prince Moses learns of his identity as a Hebrew and his destiny to become the chosen deliverer of his people.
- StarsJeremy SistoDebra MessingJacqueline BissetA movie about the life, work and death of Jesus as we know it from the Bible.
- DirectorCheick Oumar SissokoStarsSotigui KouyatéSalif KeïtaBalla Moussa KeitaInspired by the book of Genesis, this film tells the power struggle between two families: a clan of herders led by Jacob and another clan of hunters fronted by his brother Esau.
- DirectorDerek W. HayesStanislav SokolovStarsRalph FiennesMichael BryantJulie ChristieThe story of Jesus Christ.
- DirectorPhilip SavilleStarsHenry Ian CusickDaniel KashChristopher PlummerThe story of Jesus' life as told by the apostle John, narrated by Christopher Plummer.
- DirectorMel GibsonStarsJim CaviezelMonica BellucciMaia MorgensternDepicts the final twelve hours in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, on the day of his crucifixion in Jerusalem.
- DirectorP. Chandrasekhara ReddyStarsKrishnaIndian version of the Jesus story. Following Jesus' birth he performs many miracles and gathers a band of followers. He runs into trouble with the authorities and the Romans execute him. He rises again and ascends to heaven.
- DirectorJean-Claude La MarreStarsJean-Claude La MarreJohann John JeanAdam GreenA retelling of the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, based on the idea that he was a black man whose death was a racially motivated hate crime.
- DirectorMark Dornford-MayStarsNoluthando BoqwanaAndile KosiPauline MalefaneOne man's journey of love, deception and betrayal in contemporary South Africa. Based on the New Testament.
- DirectorCatherine HardwickeStarsKeisha Castle-HughesShohreh AghdashlooOscar IsaacA drama that focuses on the period in Mary and Joseph's life where they journeyed to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus.
- DirectorNader TalebzadehThe story of Jesus Christ told from an Islamic perspective.
- DirectorAlbert SerraStarsLluís CarbóLluís Serrat BatlleLluís SerratThree wise men embark on a journey to see the newborn Jesus Christ.
- DirectorPaul MorrellStarsCrissy MoranStephen ZimpelGrant HendersonWhat happens when a Pastor falls in love with a Vegas Stripper? This story of redemption and grace starring Crissy Moran will cause you to examine your own heart, as you realize the extent of one man's love for the unlovable.
- StarsBen DanielsJohn LynchJoseph MawleFollows Jesus' last days and crucifixion.
- DirectorHarold RamisStarsJack BlackMichael CeraOlivia WildeAfter being banished from their tribe, two hunter-gatherers encounter Biblical characters and eventually wind up in the city of Sodom.
- DirectorGuido ChiesaStarsNadia KhlifiRabeb SrairiMustapha BenstitiThe story of Mary of Nazareth, the mother of Jesus Christ.
- DirectorGiovanni ColumbuStarsFiorenzo MattuPietrina MenneaTonino MurgiaA re-telling of the Passion of Jesus Christ set among Sardinian Mountains.
- StarsKeith DavidRobert PowellJake CanusoA religious dramatic miniseries about God's creation and physical landmark events leading up to the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- DirectorRidley ScottStarsChristian BaleJoel EdgertonBen KingsleyThe defiant leader Moses rises up against Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses II, setting six hundred thousand slaves on a monumental journey of escape from Egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues.
- DirectorRobert SavoStarsZohir Al NobaniMohammad BakriAbeer IssaAfter several years of providing religious instruction to diverse groups in the eastern Mediterranean, protagonist is wrongfully executed by political authorities on a Friday but rises from the dead the following Sunday.
- DirectorDarren AronofskyStarsRussell CroweJennifer ConnellyAnthony HopkinsNoah is chosen by God to undertake a momentous mission before an apocalyptic flood cleanses the world.
- StarsMinnie DriverIain GlenWill TudorThe story of the twelve tribes of Israel is told through the eyes of Jacob's only daughter, Dinah.
- DirectorAlexandre AvanciniHamsa WoodStarsGuilherme WinterSergio MaroneCamila RodriguesFollows Moses leading and conducting the Hebrew people from the slavery of Egypt to the freedom towards the Promised Land according to the Ancient Testament Bible book of the Exodus. The story told like never before is faithful to the Scriptures.
- DirectorKevin ReynoldsStarsJoseph FiennesTom FeltonPeter FirthIn 33 AD, a Roman Tribune in Judea is tasked to find the missing body of Jesus Christ, who rose from the dead.
- DirectorBiko NyongesaStarsShama AkhmalJean AkinyiOdhiambo AkwaGet Some Money is a representation of the biblical story of the betrayal of Jesus Christ. It seeks to put to light the plight of suicidal beings in an effort to advocate for world bodies, to increase awareness and #speakagainstsuicide.
- DirectorGarth DavisStarsRooney MaraJoaquin PhoenixChiwetel EjioforTwelve men heard and spread the message of Jesus. Only one woman understood it.
- DirectorAndrew HyattStarsJim CaviezelJames FaulknerOlivier MartinezLuke risks his life to visit Paul, who is captive in a Roman prison under Nero's rule. Together, they struggle against a determined emperor and the frailties of the human spirit to live out the Gospel and spread the message to the world.
- DirectorNina PaleyStarsBarry GrayHiram PaleyNina PaleyLoosely following a traditional Passover Seder, events from the Book of Exodus are retold by Moses, Aharon, the Angel of Death, Jesus, and the director's own father. But there's another side to this story: that of the Goddesses, humanity's earliest deities. 'Seder-Masochism' resurrects the Great Mother in a tragic struggle against the forces of patriarchy.
- DirectorBoris GerretsBlack Angolan soldiers, known as 'The Terrible Ones', once fought white South Africa's colonial wars as part of the notorious 32 Battalion. Repatriated to South Africa at the end of the 1980's, some of the ex-combatants still languish in the ruins of Pomfret, a former asbestos-mining town remotely situated at the edge of the Kalahari Desert. When the town's dilapidated buildings turn into a film-set and the ex-soldiers become actors in the Biblical story of Judas Iscariot, it prompts a confrontation with their past. Pivoting between Biblical myth and present-day reality, the film pulls into focus the paradox of being both perpetrator and victim. It reflects upon the notion of betrayal and free will, while providing a compelling view of those at the margins of history. During the course of the film, the prevalent voice of Judas eventually merges into the voice of the filmmaker, interrogating the fundamentals of human existence.
- DirectorJim CarrollStarsMorgan RobertsIlsa LevineDonny BoazWhile doing research, a group of young geniuses accidentally stumbles upon a secret terrorist plot to create a time machine to go back in time and change history.