Here are Ted Baehr's top 20 movies of the 20th century from a Christian perspective.
Ted critiques films professionally for Christians.
Thanks to Jeffrey Anderson jeffand@regent.edu for this posting.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Contact: Dr. Ted Baehr at (805) 383-2000

FRANK CAPRA'S "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE" IS THE MOVIE THAT HAS MOST POINTED PEOPLE TOWARD GOD IN THIS CENTURY, SAYS MEDIA EXPERT TED BAEHR He Also Gives His Top Twenty Movies of The Century By Dan Wooding

HOLLYWOOD, CA (October 11, 1999) --
Frank Capra's classic 1946 movie, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, which starred Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed, is the movie that has most pointed people toward God in this century, says Dr. Ted Baehr, founder and publisher of MOVIEGUIDE(r), the respected family guide to movies and entertainment. In an interview, Dr. Baehr said, "To me the movie that has most struck a responsive chord in people's hearts and most pointed them toward God is Frank Capra's magnificent film, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE.

This choice doesn't mean that the theology is great, but it's a movie that went from being overlooked when it was released to becoming the most popular feature film and it also points people toward God." One day, while teaching at the prestigious University of Southern California (USC), Dr. Baehr surprisingly discovered that this movie was a big hit with film students. "They had been telling me why they had to do cutting-edge sex and violent movies, and I asked them what was their favorite film and they nearly all said, IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE," he said. "Even these tough-minded and jaded film students loved it. That's why the movie has become an annual Christmas classic."

LES MISÉRABLES IS SECOND CHOICE
Dr. Baehr said that Victor Hugo's LES MISÉRABLES, an epic tale of love, honor and obsession, was his choice for the second most powerful film of the century that pointed people to God and showed His Grace. "I especially liked the 1935 movie version with Fredric March and Charles Laughton, which was very good in presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The 1998 version with Liam Neeson was also very good because it's clear that God makes a difference in his life."

KING OF KINGS AND THE JESUS FILM ARE NEXT
Dr. Baehr also discussed the explicitly Christian movies that are about Jesus Christ. "The original KINGS OF KINGS, Cecil B. DeMille's silent epic of the life and ministry of Christ, was extremely powerful and moved many people to come to Christ," he said. "Visually, the movie was styled after classical religious paintings and has the most beautiful resurrection scene.

It also includes the remarkable scene where Thomas puts his finger in Jesus' side." He added, "Probably the film that has been seen the most in recent years is THE JESUS FILM, which was originally released by Warner Bros and now is distributed around the world by Bill Bright's Campus Crusade for Christ. "Also, Passolini's classic THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW is very solid on the Gospel. "I know several people who came to Christ through the storytelling power of BEN HUR and CHARIOTS OF FIRE, and those are just the ones who came up to me personally."

"Thus, there are a lot of films that deserve commendation...BUT the great movie about Jesus Christ, even though the first twenty minutes are a little dated, is the original KING OF KINGS.

TED BAEHR'S TOP 20 OF THE CENTURY
Here are Dr. Baehr's top twenty movies of the century, in his own words, in alphabetical order:

BABETTE'S FEAST (1987):
Set in Sweden during the 1800s, this Oscar-winning adaptation of the Isek Dineson story features two sisters who spend their lives helping the needy, sick and poor. They get a young French cook name Babette who spends her entire life's earnings on a masterful dinner for them. Symbolizing the Lord's banquet table, it is a wonderful tale of grace and sacrifice. ( Review )

BEN-HUR (1959): Subtitled A TALE OF THE CHRIST
This is an epic story of a young Jewish man, Judah Ben-Hur, played by Charlton Heston, who lives at the time of Christ. Ben-Hur goes from wealth and prominence to being a galley slave in a Roman war ship, to being adopted by a wealthy Roman, and to faith in Jesus Christ. When his sisters contract leprosy, he can either choose to hate the Romans or find healing and forgiveness through the blood of Christ. It is one of the finest Christian movies of all time. ( Review )

CHARIOTS OF FIRE
(1981): Academy Award winner for Best Picture, it also demonstrates how a man, Eric Liddell, maintains his Christian convictions. An Olympic runner in the 1924 games, Liddell refuses to race on Sunday, the Lord's day. Liddell eventually went to China as a missionary and died in a prisoner of war camp, true to his faith to the very end. ( Review )

GONE WITH THE WIND (1939):
As classic an American tale as they come, this Panoramic epic starring Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh will forever reign as the king of Hollywood productions. Not only does it feature some of the most intricate plotting and masterful acting ever portrayed on screen, it documents America's greatest tragedy and greatest victory, the Civil War. Incomparable in scope and depth, it traverses the entire range of the human condition. ( Review )

THE HIDING PLACE (1975):
The only movie on the list by a Christian-owned film company, World Wide Pictures, it is a powerful examination of the faith of one family in the midst of horrible circumstances. Corrie Ten Boom and her family hide Jews in Amsterdam during WWII. When they are caught, they face unbelievable horrors in National Socialist concentration camps. Thematically very Christian, it is a splendid example of Christian courage. ( Review )

HIGH NOON (1952):
Our only Western on the list, it is a masterful, heroic movie filmed in real time. Every minute of screen time equals a minute of actual time. It is one of the best examples of suspense and serves as a great, wholesome example that Westerns don't have to depict bloodletting. It also embodies a remnant theology about a sheriff, played by Gary Cooper, who commits himself to doing the right thing even though everyone else abandons him. Grace Kelly stars as the sheriff's wife in this exceptional movie. ( Review )

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946):
The classic Christmas movie that is treasured by all Americans, it stars the beloved Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. This movie demonstrates the value that one man can have on his world. As that man, Jimmy Stewart delivers one of the most powerful performances of all time in a role that was made for him. Superbly crafted by director Frank Capra at the top of his game, it is a vivid, unforgettable testimony to answered prayer. ( Review )

LES MISÉRABLES (1935):
Based on the redemptive novel by Victor Hugo, LES MISÉRABLES tells the redeeming story of Jean Valjean who goes to prison for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his sister's child and then comes to Jesus Christ through the sacrificial love of a poor bishop. Jean becomes a new man and dedicates his life to helping others. LES MISÉRABLES is a positive, uplifting Christian story of the struggle between love and hate. ( Review )

A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS (1966):
Winning the Academy Award in 1966 for Best Picture, this movie portrays the life of a man of great courage, Sir Thomas More, played by Oscar winner Paul Scofield. A Catholic statesmen in England, More rebelled against Henry VIII's self-proclaimed status as the head of the Church of England. This absorbing drama demonstrates the strength and faith of sticking to one man's religious convictions, no matter what the consequences. ( Review )

MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE (1962):
John Frankenheimer's Cold War thriller about a Korean War prisoner of war who is brainwashed into becoming a coldly efficient assassin by his Communist captors. One of the best insights into the nefarious nature of evil. It is a classic thriller starring Frank Sinatra and Laurence Harvey. ( Review )

MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON
(1939): Another Frank Capra classic starring with Jimmy Stewart, this movie demonstrates that the little guy can stand up to big government. A watershed movie for the common man, it serves as an example that the human spirit will not be crushed by big government. It continues to sound a call for ethics, morality and integrity in our highest offices. ( Review )

PLACES IN THE HEART (1984):
Winning an Academy award for Sally Field, this movie shows that faith in Jesus Christ overcomes all obstacles- even death. In the movie, a widow's determination triumphs over adversity, including the Great Depression, tornadoes and family tragedy. In the last scene, all the townspeople, even those who have died, come together to share communion in the church. It is an enduring and endearing vision of small-town America. ( Review )

REPENTANCE (1987):
Banned for years in the Soviet Union, REPENTANCE is the one movie that helped destroy Communism. This subtitled, magnificent movie exposes the evils of communism, statism and totalitarianism while lifting up the suffering Church and the triumphant, eternal Church of Christ Jesus. REPENTANCE is an allegory about Russia under Stalin. God is the center of this film, and it shows that His people cannot be defeated by the Devil or petty Marxist tyrants. REPENTANCE is required viewing for anyone confused about God and State.

THE ROBE (1953):
Starring Richard Burton, Jean Simmons and Victor Mature, this Hollywood Cinemascope spectacle is the story of a slave under the rule of Rome, who turns to Christianity when embracing the robe of Christ. Majestic, huge, stirring, and magnetic, this is an impressive movie that presents a wonderful depiction of the world-changing faith of the early Christian martyrs. ( Review )

SERGEANT YORK (1941):
Based on the diary of Alvin York, the most decorated soldier in World War I, this moving story tells about a willful man, played by Oscar winner Gary Cooper, who comes to Jesus Christ and comes to terms with war. After his conversion, Alvin is deeply troubled about fighting in the war because he cannot reconcile the Bible's teaching against killing with participating in a war to defend his country. Before making his final decision about filing for conscientious objector status, Alvin spends time reading the Bible and being alone with God on the mountain. There it becomes clear what God wants him to do. ( Review )

THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1965):
An American family classic, this is the only musical on ourlist. Who can forget the lovable Maria Von Trapp played winningly by Julie Andrews as she sings about the hills being alive with music? Demonstrating moral courage and humor honed by a deep Christian faith, Maria becomes a model woman both to her youthful charges, the Baron and all of Austria. ( Review )

A TALE OF TWO CITIES (1935):
The causes and effects of the French Revolution come alive through this richly textured cinematic rendering of the classic novel by Charles Dickens published in 1859. It could also be called A Tale of Two Worldviews. France's revolution of bloodshed and the deification of man, the "citizen" and "the people," were in stark contrast to a Christian moral order. The movie closes with Jesus Christ's words: "I am the Resurrection and the Life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies" (John 11:25).

TENDER MERCIES (1982):
Starring Robert Duvall in an Oscar-winning performance as a down-on-his-luck Country music singer, this movie is written by Horton Foote, one of America's best writers. Witha favorable representation of Christian faith and baptism, it shows a lost man turning to Christ and finding new hope, and love. It is a simple, elegant movie, with unforgettable characters. ( Review )

TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956):
A remake from a film he did many years previously, this Cecil B. DeMille biblical epic remains a favorite today. Christians like it because it is a Bible story. Jews like it because Moses is one of their heroes. Everybody likes it because it is masterful, engrossing filmmaking. Though not entirely biblically correct, it gives a powerful examination of one of mankind's greatest leaders, superbly portrayed by Charlton Heston. ( Review )

THE WAR OF THE WORLDS (1953):
Adapted from H. G. Wells' classic science fiction novel, this movie posits the ultimate alien invasion and yet has a very clear biblical perspective. The minister and the Christian faith are portrayed in a very positive light throughout the movie. It is clear that the victory over the alien invaders comes only as a result of God's grace. In fact, the last line tells us, "It is the littlest things that God in His wisdom had put upon the Earth that save mankind." THE WAR OF THE WORLDS is just as exciting as any of the science fiction films being released today, and it is biblical. It is a movie well worth seeing-several times. ( Review )

These 20 movies represent the best-crafted, most-worthwhile movies of the century, Dr. Baehr said. "These movies have given people a deeper awareness," Dr. Baehr said, "as well as a better understanding of life. Most have imparted to the audience a heightened sense of devotion and love, and a great increase in either man's love of God or in man's understanding of God."

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