Movies with Redemption or Savior Figures

  • Thread starter Thread starter Journeyman
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

Journeyman

Guest
Do you have any suggestions for movie clips or scenes that depict redemption or savior figures to use for Rel Ed classes when discussing pop culture? An example I was given was “Private Ryan” where Ryan asks Tom Hanks’ character if they did all of that to save him and Hanks says–Yes and now go out and earn it (or something like that). Besides a movie about Christ, are there any other movies that depict one dying for another etc…?
 
The Matrix trilogy.

It is basically a copy-cat of Christ’s Universal Salvific plan.

Keanu Reeves plays “Neo” also called “The One” (“neo” comes from Greek meaning “new”, just as Christ is the New Man) who sacrifices himself in the final scene for the salvation of all the people, who are called “Zion”. And yes, the characters in the movie put their faith in Neo before his final victory.

Not only implicit Christian usuage everywhere, but also explicit Christian imagery and terminoloy.
 
Lord of the Rings has this theme running all through it, and it was written by a devout Catholic. Frodo gives his life for the quest (he doesn’t die but he does sacrifice his own happiness for the sake of his people). Aragorn puts his life on the line to give Frodo time to complete his quest. Gandalf literally dies, and is resurrected in order to complete his mission for the good of Middle Earth. Eowyn faces a terrible monster and an evil king in order to save her king and her people. Arwen gives up her status as a non-dying Elf in order to support Aragorn and help him become king. And there are other examples for those who want to dig deeper.
 
Journeyman said:
Do you have any suggestions for movie clips or scenes that depict redemption or savior figures to use for Rel Ed classes when discussing pop culture? An example I was given was “Private Ryan” where Ryan asks Tom Hanks’ character if they did all of that to save him and Hanks says–Yes and now go out and earn it (or something like that). Besides a movie about Christ, are there any other movies that depict one dying for another etc…?
Click to expand...
Forrest Gump - his obedience, service, charity, and constantly turning the other cheek: just think of how Lieutenent Dan spoke to him, and specifically his unconditional love of Jenny, the great love of his life. She had lived a very worldly life and hurt him countless times; he still took her as his wife and into his home when she was sick and dying. And think of the moment she is throwing the rocks at her childhood home and Forrest just sits down with her in the mud.

John Coffey from The Green Mile.

Atticus from To Kill a Mockingbird.

E.T. - he dies and comes back to life.
 
My first and best pick would be Neo from the Matrix Revolutions but since that was already mentioned here’s some others:

Armageddon - Harry Stamper stays behind to destroy the asteroid and sacrifices himself for the rest.

Deep Impact - Tea Leoni’s character gives up her seat on the helicopter for the woman and her daughter. The astronauts sacrifice themselves by flying their ship inside the comet to set off the explosion inside it.

The Core - Braz sacrifices himself for the rest by volunteering to go out into the 9,000 degree crawlspace to save the ship.
 
Alright,

Paul Newman in Cool Hand Luke

Mel Gibson in Mad Max III: Beyond Thundedome
 
*Evan *in The Butterfly Effect.
I lost count of how many times he “died” to go back and try to save his parents and his friends.
In the end, he suceeds but wow! what awful trips!
 
Integritus said:
The Matrix trilogy.

It is basically a copy-cat of Christ’s Universal Salvific plan.

Keanu Reeves plays “Neo” also called “The One” (“neo” comes from Greek meaning “new”, just as Christ is the New Man) who sacrifices himself in the final scene for the salvation of all the people, who are called “Zion”. And yes, the characters in the movie put their faith in Neo before his final victory.

Not only implicit Christian usuage everywhere, but also explicit Christian imagery and terminoloy.
Click to expand...
(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Our former associate pastor picked up on this theme. Here he is.
 
Robocop!
The Crow (in a smitey kind of way)
Aliens
Brazil
Blade Runner
Repo Man (well, it’s not a person so much… it’s a Chevy Nova)
City of Lost Children
The Fifth Element
Pan’s Labyrinth
Akira
Ghost in the Shell

All these are really morality plays, or about sacrifice and redemption entirely. You could select a few scenes from some of them, especially Blade Runner, but in most it’s a lot more subtle.

but really… Robocop.
 
I saw a moving film recently, Children of Men. Worldwide sterility, the youngest person is 18. Many people with an agenda are trying to shelter a pregnant woman, and an at first reluctant hero protects her to get her to safety so her child won’t be stolen. His name is Theo - God! He sacrifices himself for her. Watch the movie first before you show it to children/teens, though, so you can discern if it’s too “mature” for them.

A really sad redemption story is Breaking the Waves. Too disturbing for children, though.
 
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Luke Skywalker in Star Wars.
 
Ladder 49 had a very strong “water baptism” theme. I had just converted from Protestantism to Catholicism when this movie came out, and it really helped me understand the Church’s teaching about baptism.

The movie was nominated for Templeton Prize for religion.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top