Whither Frodo and Jesus?

Christianity Today ^ | 06/20/06 | Mark Moring

[rhema]

How could the American Film Institute have missed The Return of the King when picking its list of the 100 Most Inspiring Films of All Time? And not a single movie about Jesus? What's up with THAT?

Last week, the American Film Institute posted its list of the 100 Most Inspiring Films of All Time. It's a good list, especially with It's a Wonderful Life and To Kill a Mockingbird occupying the top two spots. Rocky, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and Breaking Away are all in the top 10. Very nice.

But like all such lists, it's certainly open to criticism. My first gripe is specific enough: Where in the world is The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King? If that's not one of the 100 Most Inspiring Films of All Time, then I'll be a hobbit's uncle.

If Gandalf doesn't inspire, then who does?

At first I thought the omission was because the film isn't "American." It was primarily made in New Zealand by a Kiwi director (Peter Jackson), and the AFI criteria state that qualifying films must have "significant creative and/or production elements from the United States." But then I checked the list of 300 nominees from which the AFI culled its winners, and the first LOTR film, The Fellowship of the Ring, is a nominee (though it didn't make the top 100).

So, evidently, the LOTR films were eligible after all—but The Return of the King didn't even make the list of nominees. So, the AFI doesn't even count it as one of the three hundred most inspiring films in history!

How could they have missed it?

Were they not inspired when Gandalf comforts a frightened Pippin during the siege of Minas Tirith, telling the young hobbit about a glorious heaven that

[rhema]

Ping

[ecurbh]

Ring Ping!!

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[Rummyfan]

There's some real clunker's on that list too: I would even argue with TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD so highly rated. SCHLINDER'S LIST? Sure, it's 'inspiring' if you can make it through three hours of wanton slaughter, which I have been able to do just once. Then one of my personal favorite's COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER way down in the seventies.

[twigs]

I don't agree with a lot of the films lsited. But Chariots of Fire did make it, even if it is 100. It was a great film. And I agree with the author here--The Lord of the Rings is a GREAT trilogy!

[stylin19a]

"I can handle things, I'm smart, not like everybody says. Not dumb, I'm smart, and I want respect!"

oh wait..it said FRODO in the headline....nevermind !

[HairOfTheDog]

Of course I agree with the author that LoTR should be there, and high on the list!

Many of the movies present are deeply depressing, perhaps dramatic and sad, but that's not necessarily my definition of ~inspirational~

Omission: The Ten Commandments
Another omission: SIGNS

[HairOfTheDog]

OK - I just went back and looked again, and THELMA AND LOUISE, a pointless movie about two particularly stupid and annoying women, is on the list. Enough said.

[BibChr]

Hm; not sure what "Jesus movie" I'd nominate. Most of them, ah... aren't really good. Maybe The Gospel of John? or The Gospel of Matthew?

[hunter112]

And "The Wizard of Oz"?? I guess we know what that's inspired...

[stuartcr]

I'm guessing, that not everyone thinks the same.

[HairOfTheDog]

I don't have a problem with The Wizard of Oz... I know people who love it. I think the concept of giving people 'courage' or a 'heart' they think they don't have, and making them believe they do, is a good one. But the movie always bored me. ~shrugs~

[twigs]

THELMA AND LOUISE

I despise that movie. Words can't describe what I think of it.

[pgyanke]

And not a single movie about Jesus?

Ben-Hur was very religiously themed and had a scene with Jesus. Not a movie ABOUT Jesus, no, but...

Also, The Ten Commandments made the list. At least it isn't an entirely Godless.

[stuartcr]

Dogma?

[HairOfTheDog]

Me too! I wanted to see those women die. Far earlier than they did. Those women weren't rebels, they were just stupid! :~D

[Anne of DC]

Thanks for the ping!

I find this shocking but not suprising the way the world seems to be heading.

[BibChr]

Oh, stop.

[HairOfTheDog]

Ah - I had said Ten Commandments wasn't there... I missed it... at 79.

[Koblenz]

Chariots of Fire was #100. Way too low for that movie.

[absolootezer0]

yankee doodle dandy rates almost at the bottom? story of george cohan, great american patriot, who wrote two of the most popular and inspiring patriotic songs, Over There and You're a Grand Old Flag.

[Bean Counter]

I would agree in concept that return of the King is highly inspirational, but the entire Trilogy of LOTR ought to be considered as a whole. There is much to be admired in complete works.

[Dixie Yooper]

"And "The Wizard of Oz"?? I guess we know what that's inspired..."

Gay people should not be allowed to make lists.
I'm not sure why Christianity Today had a story that falls all over it's self for Lord of the Rings. This movie is very short on religion of any kind and full of evil, witchcraft and demons.

As for the list;

Rocky?? has anyone watched it lately?? It's a B movie at best.

Anything with Tom Hanks?? Who wants to start crying in front of a crowd?

Saving Private Ryan?? Any episode of Combat is better. Stalag 17 is much better and inspiring.

Down the list at #17 One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest??? I saw this when it first came out. I did not leave the theater inspired that night. The guy who was trying to inspire everyone ended up getting a lobotomy then was suffocated and it took place in a mental ward.

There was definitely allot of emanate lisping going on when this list was put together.

[proudpapa]

Schindlers List in the top 10???

I was looking for "SHANE" and was pleasantly surprised to find it.

Should have been in the top 10.


If you've never seen "SHANE" go get it.

[Dixie Yooper]

"If you've never seen "SHANE" go get it"

Great western!

My favorite 3 are;

The Big Country
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Winchester 73

[theFIRMbss]

>How could they have missed it?

There's a scene in here where the scientist's daughter takes off her shirt and swims in the lagoon while the giant komodo watches from the trees . . . That is filmmaking. I can't take seriously films without such scenes.

[rhema]

I'll be happy to make room for it by excising Dances with Wolves from the list. For that matter, I'd trade almost any other movie for Dances with Wolves.

[rhema]

Chariots of Fire was #100. Way too low for that movie.

About 99 spots too low for 1981's Oscar-winning movie.

[rhema]

I'm guessing, that not everyone thinks the same.

On FreeRepublic, that's tantamount to saying the sun will rise in the east tomorrow.

[rhema]

yankee doodle dandy rates almost at the bottom? story of george cohan, great american patriot, who wrote two of the most popular and inspiring patriotic songs, Over There and You're a Grand Old Flag.

Well, if you're a hip movie reviewer, you wouldn't want to be accused of boosterism, would you?

[stuartcr]

Some days, ya just have to state the obvious....besides, it can be fun.

[rhema]

Some days, ya just have to state the obvious....besides, it can be fun.

Not to mention rough and tumble and a bit bruising, but fun nevertheless.

[Samwise]

Gay people should not be allowed to make lists.

Not even fashion lists? ;^)

[P8riot]

"Thelma and Louise" and "Breaking Away"? You've got to be kidding.

[rhema]

"Thelma and Louise" and "Breaking Away"? You've got to be kidding.

I think NOW lobbied heavily for the former.

[SuziQ]

Thelma and Louise is supposed to inspire? Inspire to go out and do what, shoot men and drive off a cliff? Yeah, that's inspirational.

Sounds like the AFI was trying to be sophisticated. Inspirational movies are not usually what the tony folks enjoy, however, so I guess this list is what passes for inspirational among that crowd.

[Faraday]

Thanks for the ping. I'm shocked that Bareback Mountain or The Battleship Potemkin didn't make this Hollywood-generated list.

[HairOfTheDog]

If you've never seen "SHANE" go get it.

I hated Shane. I didn't hate the Shane character so much, I hated the worthless "Oh Shane, go in that bar alone and fight our battles for us while we wait out here" townspeople.

[HairOfTheDog]

Thelma and Louise is supposed to inspire? Inspire to go out and do what

That's my question....

[Tokra]

"And "The Wizard of Oz"?? I guess we know what that's inspired..." Gay people should not be allowed to make lists. I'm not sure why Christianity Today had a story that falls all over it's self for Lord of the Rings. This movie is very short on religion of any kind and full of evil, witchcraft and demons.

I don't understand the connection between Wizard of Oz and gay people. Am I missing something??

LOTR is very moral story about good and evil. You can't show good without showing evil. The trilogy should have been in the top ten.

Thelma and Louise? Puh-leeze Loo-uise.

[SuziQ]

This movie is very short on religion of any kind and full of evil, witchcraft and demons.

There is no witchcraft in LOTR, though there is evil and there are demonic forces. LOTR does not glorify those things, and shows the stuggle to defeat them, while showing that some succumb to the evil. Doesn't the Bible teach us how to struggle against evil, but also show that some will not be able to fight evil, but will give over to it?

[Dixie Yooper]

""Oh Shane, go in that bar alone and fight our battles for us while we wait out here" townspeople."

High Noon probably doesn't rate too high on your list either. Open Range was a western where the townspeople got into the action.

[Hegewisch Dupa]

I did not leave the theater inspired that night. The guy who was trying to inspire everyone ended up getting a lobotomy then was suffocated and it took place in a mental ward.

Well now, the story of The Guy who inspired a lot of people and got beat up and nailed to a tree for His efforts seems to have stood the test of time...

Are you a Yooper as in Iron Mountain and all that, by the way?

[HairOfTheDog]

Heh... Yes, you'd be right :~)

[Tokra]

They also left out: Lassie Come Home (1943) and I Remember Mama (1948). Serpico??? Inspiring???

[Dixie Yooper]

"There is no witchcraft in LOTR"

Wizard or witch, magic or witchcraft. There really is no difference unless your trying to put down Harry Potter in favor of LOTR to your congregation. Neither movie belongs in the church, or deserves a positive article written about it in a Christian magazine.

They are however great movies that do inspire. Just not in a religious way.

[Dixie Yooper]

"Are you a Yooper as in Iron Mountain and all that, by the way?"

Yes I am, but from Iron River.
I won't compare Jack Nicholson with Christ.

[Ignatz]

Another omission: SIGNS

Inspiring? Hmm...I watched it last weekend. I judged it to be an entertaining sci-fi story. Decently acted and poorly directed, especially the last scene. I wasn't particularly inspired by it. Other Mel Gibson films are much more inspiring, that's for sure. But, hey, if you find it inspiring then good for you!

[Hegewisch Dupa]

I think it's a totally legit comparison. There's a reason the Christ figure is such a common theme in all of art; plus there's the whole point of all us being created in His image. And saving and inspiring others, even if it's only the one Indian, is the message.

Beautiful country up where you're from, but ya hardly need a flat-lander like me to tell ya that...

[Tolkien]

I agree and thank you!!!