The Comparison of Jesus’ Role in Gospel Themed Films
Religion in film provides an outlet to many different ideas to interpreting the Gospels. Stories can be changed according to the screen writer; they have the liberty to follow the Gospels or changing the story completely. These differences can be seen in the movies, King of Kings and The Last Temptation of Christ; discussing the similarities and contrast according to the movie outline. The traditional film, King of Kings shows changes from roles of characters to humorous quotes in The Last Temptation of Christ which shows more modern, open ideas of the Gospels story. Many authors confirm these ideas in their writing, bringing together this interpretive idea of Jesus and his story.
Before comparing the films, understanding authors’ ideas of film’s role in religion provides resources to compose thoughts about the movies. Joel Martin discusses these issues in his book, Screening the Sacred: Religion, Myth, and Ideology in Popular American Film; Martin brings up the issue of pop culture influencing religion through image, wording, or other symbols. When watching TV or a movie it can be easy distinguish the actors’religious role in the film by finding a cross or other symbols to help with identification. In modern culture these symbols have changed from the original meanings. Today, pop culture has made these images into popular fashion statements. In Robert J. Johnston's book, Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film Dialogue, he looks at how people are affected after watching a film; film can affect the way people act or look. He looked at studies on how the viewer sees the power in a movie they become inspired and interested in the content of the movie. Johnston also says film extends beyond the church; the films are having more effect than sitting in a church and listening to a pastor. The viewer gets pulled into the films and forms opinions and ideas from watching the film. The viewer can be inspired by the different ideas seen on the movie screen. This will be looked at in the movies chosen for my report; seeing the effect of this idea on people watching the chosen movie (Johnston, 2007, 31, 33).
The film King of Kings implements the four gospels in a well-rounded screenplay. The movie shows the stereotypical role and actions of Jesus. The movie makes Jesus into someone who does no wrong, always succeeding in every miracle and being a teacher of faith. Jeffrey Staley’s book, Jesus, the Gospels, and Cinematic Imagination, he calls King of Kings a traditional Gospel story with “peace, love, and brotherhood of man” (Staley, 2007, 36). The scenes in the film flow together seamlessly and carry
the traditional story of Jesus. This movie is very easy to compare because it holds the on target information about the Gospels. The movieKing of Kings also shows traditional roles played by the characters from the Bible stories. This allows for the stereotypical Jesus to be highlighted in the film.
The movie The Last Temptation of Christ shows the image of Jesus as someone very different from the traditional Gospel story. This film shows Jesus as a man who views his role as Messiah as more of a job instead of his life. The film opens up with saying, “film is not based upon the Gospels but upon this fictional exploration of eternal spiritual conflict” (Schrader, 1988). The film opens with this disclaimer to let the viewer know that the film is not strict to the Biblical texts. The film puts together a similar outline and changes the body of the Gospels. When he is preparing to preach or go out in public, he talks with disciples to get his thoughts together.
Between King of Kings and The Last Temptation, the content of Jesus’s teachings is very different. The teachings in The Last Temptation show Jesus as a worldly and open man; his teachings normally consist of his people and the quickness of his healings. In King of Kings Jesus demonstrates a different style of teaching, including the
Lord’s Prayer and reasons for his existents on earth. In the Last Temptation, Jesus a soft heart for his friend, later wife, Mary Magdalene during the film the love interest develops, which is very different from the ideal story line. King of Kings shows Jesus and Mary Magdalene as friends after she was stoned for her sins. The scene shows Jesus’s compassion; getting the towns people who were throwing stones to leave unless they are without sin. Jesus’s mother views Mary Magdalene as a friend and the two women go to the Sermon on the Mount together among other scenes. In a very different light, The Last Temptation of Christ first shows Jesus first interact with Mary when she is preforming her job as a prostitute for the city men. Mary loves Jesus and wishes he would join her but he does not. In Pamela Grace’s book The Religious Film, she describes the scenes of Jesus and Mary Magdalene’s marriage and how that makes Mary seem very different from many of the ideas people create about the women. The film The Last Temptation, brings in mixed, “sore spot” issues; the audience does not enjoy seeing Mary Magdalene as a whore, making her character become something that most would not consider as writer Robin Riley says in her book, Film, Faith, and Cultural Conflict (Riley, 2003, 15).
The films King of Kings and The Last Temptation of Christ create to different interpretations of the Gospel message. John Lyden wrote, Film as Religion, and states film fails to act religiously if the movie does not have something “religious” in it. In the movie The Last Temptation, there are many reasons to say the story is not religious, but the characters and setting of the film are religious. These two films show two different definitions of religion; King of Kingsholds a definition which will consist of cheerfulness and The Last Temptation is more the temptation side of religion, each creating their own story.
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Annotative Bibliography
Blizek, William L., The Continuum Companion to Religion and Film. London: Continuum, 2009.
In William L. Blizek’s book, The Continuum Companion to Religion and Film, he looks at religion and the role it plays in film. This book discusses Bible stories being retold in films and how they change according to the film type. Jesus’s story is also one that is studied as a story to fit into today’s world and what that would look like (213). Some movies seem to be based on a religion but they are not, and therefore, trick the viewer into thinking a movie does not have religious views when it does (40). Something to consider when watching the films, King of Kings and The Last Temptation of Christ, one must look at the evil forces coming into the world (310).
Grace, Pamela. The Religious Film. Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2009.
In Pamela Grace’s book, The Religious Film, she dedicates chapters to different films about Jesus and provides an overview of her thoughts. Camera angle is discussed as something the director adds in, allowing the viewer to take the angles as something of an understanding of God’s exceptional gift to his people (68). The more traditional view of the movie shows Gospel stories following along with each other. Some people think Jesus is John the Baptist coming back from the dead (72). Overall, this outlook gives a negative effect on the miracles, which makes them different from the Gospels. The movie ends with Jesus saying, if his people love him, they should feed his sheep to the end of the world, as he leaves for Heaven (77). Grace’s chapter on the Last Temptation of Christ discusses a review of the movie and adds to the scenes similar to
the Gospels and the ones very different from the gospels; Mary Magdalene’s character is very different than in the Bible (152). This source will help to have reviews for the movies.
Goodacre, Mark, “Do You Think You’re What They Say You Are?”, Journal of Religion and Film, October 2009, volume 3, issue 2.
In the article, “Do You Think You’re What They Say You Are?”, the writer, Mark Goodacre, says King of Kings I shows“a fair, good looking, traditional western Jesus”. The article refers to King of Kings as a hallmark of Jesus films and how his character is portrayed. The film spends a lot of time on making Jesus a king among kings character. Films which have traditional images of Jesus’s character avoid showing realism. The Last Temptation of Christ shows very different idea of the image of Jesus. Produced in the 1980’s the overall feeling of the film is very different; fashioning a new and changed Jesus. The main difference in traditional films such as King of Kings, and knew and updated films, such as The Last Temptation of Christ, is the image of Christ that is portrayed.
Johnston, Robert K. Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film in Dialogue. Mississippi: Baker Academic, 2007.
In Robert J. Johnston's book, Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film Dialogue, he looks at the power of film. His argument is that film is becoming a religion in itself. He is looking at how people watch a movie in the same setting or way they do when they are in church (28). When the viewer sees the power in a movie they become inspired and interested in the content of the movie (26). Johnston also goes as far as to say film is extending beyond the church; the films are having more effect than sitting in a church and listening to a pastor (31). The viewer gets pulled into the films and forms opinions and ideas from watching the film (33). The viewer can be inspired by the different ideas seen on the movie screen. This will be looked at in the movies chosen for my report; seeing the effect of this idea on people watching the chosen movies.
Lindlof, Thomas R., Hollywood Under Siege: Martin Scorsese, the Religious Right, and the Culture Wars. Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky, 2008.
In Thomas R. Lindlof’s book, Hollywood Under Siege: Martin Scorsese, the Religious Right, and the Culture Wars, the outer shell of The Last Temptation movie is reviewed. The information in the book, such as box office decisions to critical reviews, provides details to the film. This movie was selling out and becoming more popular as days went on (257). This film’s story line causes some to feel uncomfortable with the idea of Bible characters acting a certain way and the executive of the film makers gave the option to not work on the project (208). The information in this review will be helpful to have with statistic information to back up and help explain parts of my paper. The film covers difficult topics in a less than perfect light, which conflicts with King of Kings, allowing for comparison to be made.
Lyden, John C. Film as Religion. New York: New York University Press, 2003.
In John Lyden’s book, Film as Religion, he mentions The Last Temptation of Christas a movie that raises religious issues. This film does, however, fail to act“religiously” meaning it does not share inspiration of the Bible stories. This is due to the lack of religious guide lines. Lyden looks at how films affect the viewer and how the film will stick with the viewer through life, depending on the message within the film (11). Lyden also discusses how religion is defined and says Christians look at religion as something which creates a transcendent being. This being manifested in the Christian God, implementing his ways (37). As discussed in the book, Clifford Geertz looks at religion has something to be defined rather than explained (41). My paper will look at religion as a definition and how they differ in their separate definitions of religion and the form of the religious message in the film.
Martin, Joel W., and Conrad E. Ostwalt Jr., ed. Screening the Sacred: Religion, Myth, and Ideology in Popular American Film. Colorado: Westview Press, 1995.
In Joel W. Martin and Conrad E. Ostwalt Jr.’s, Screening the Scared: Religion, Myth, and Ideology in Popular American Film, part one covers aspects of religion and film. The chapter covering Religion, Film, and Cultural Analysis, looks at film as something that allows Americans to look at religion more than they might think (152). When watching films, pop culture brings in religion into image, wording, or other things. Myth, rituals, and symbols all show ways the religion aspect is shown in film (196).Ostwalt Jr. says that students are limited by their own imagination and can think of film in any way they wish (159). This essay and other small sections will be used in my paper to be used as a background for the movies.
Riley, Robin. Film, Faith, and Cultural Conflict. Connecticut: Praeger Publishers, 2003.
In Robin Riley’s book, Film, Faith, and Cultural Conflict, the movie The Last Temptation of Christ is discussed. The book details issues that arise and how they are debated over. The different “sore spots” brought up in the movie caused the issue concerning religion and film. People did not want to see Mary Magdalene as a whore. The idea of Jesus being friends with a known prostitute was very unacceptable. Even today people get upset about the idea (15). The book mentions that temptations grow; this is also something Christians do not want to hear because the idea of Jesus’s temptations increasing upsets them (15). This source will be used to represent an opposite side if this information is needed.
Schrader, Paul. The Last Temptation of Christ. DVD. Directed by: Martin Scorsese. Morocco: Harry J. Ufland, 1988.
In the film,The Last Temptation of Christ, the opening scene discloses that the “film is not based upon the Gospels but upon this fictional exploration of eternal spiritual conflict”. The film shows Jesus from a “human” side of Jesus; he does not want to sleep with Mary Magdalene at the beginning of the film and ending with marrying her. In the movie Jesus never talks to God; Jesus is always trying to have conversation with God, but never gets answers. This shows Jesus’s human, vulnerable side because he does not know how to communicate or hear from his God. Jesus preforms miracles and the last supper is still acted out in the film. At the end Jesus is tempted by Satan and marries Mary Magdalene; Mary and her baby are killed and the angle is discovered as the devil. Jesus as temptations by Mary Magdalene from the beginning of the film, standing up for her when she being stoned for her sin and when she is sleeping with many men.
Staley, Jeffrey L. and Richard Walsh, Jesus, the Gospels, and Cinematic Imagination. Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2007.
In Jeffrey L. Staley and Richard Walsh’s book, Jesus, the Gospels, and Cinematic Imagination, they highlight the movies King of Kings and the Last Temptation of Christ. In the movie King of Kings, the director incorporates two battle scenes and a very “Gospel like” sermon on the mount (37). The character of Jesus is very traditional as well, wishing for “peace, love, and brotherhood of man” (36). In the Last Temptation of Christ, the film is more of Jesus not really knowing his full purpose on earth. This makes his death and reason for dying harder to follow; his death scene does not make it clear as to whether his death is beneficial to the people or not (111). The movie does state that Jesus was dying for the sin of the world (111). This book will act as a review opinion for my paper.
Starr, Charlie W., “Faith without Film is Dull: C. S. Lewis Corrects Evangelicals on Art, Movies, and Worldviews Analysis,” Christian Scholar Review, Summer 2011, volume 40, issue 40.
In Charlie W. Starr’s article, he looked at the approach C. S. Lewis takes on art in religion. Lewis says that art is something to further God’s kingdom and allow people to become intrigued with the images (368). Lewis also believes that images can give people the right impression or the wrong impression (370). This occurs when color indicate evil or bad, such as red. Also this occurs when the people in an image look unhappy (370). This is a great thought for defining images in the movies. I will look at the colors on clothing or facial expressions to identify whether someone is good or evil according to the movie. This idea will be shown in images placed on the blog.
Yordan, Philip. King of Kings. DVD. Directed by: Nicholas Ray. Madrid, Spain. Samuel Bronston, 1961.
In the film King of Kings, the traditional Gospel story is shown in the script of the film. The theme of the movie brought together the stories in the Gospels, connecting them along the way. The beginning opens with the well-known rulers of the time period setting up the story of Jesus’ birth. Harrods dislike towards Messiah’s is seen in an early stage when he asks for the scriptures to see if the coming of a Messiah was true. When Jesus grew up, John the Baptist baptizes Jesus and upon visiting Jesus’ home John says, “he is without sin, how can I baptize him?” Peter betrays Jesus in this movie, when the roaster crows three times. Jesus’ kind heart is seen when he invites the thief to be with him in paradise. Jesus also shows his weaker side when he cries out to God asking why God has forsaken him.
In William L. Blizek’s book, The Continuum Companion to Religion and Film, he looks at religion and the role it plays in film. This book discusses Bible stories being retold in films and how they change according to the film type. Jesus’s story is also one that is studied as a story to fit into today’s world and what that would look like (213). Some movies seem to be based on a religion but they are not, and therefore, trick the viewer into thinking a movie does not have religious views when it does (40). Something to consider when watching the films, King of Kings and The Last Temptation of Christ, one must look at the evil forces coming into the world (310).
Grace, Pamela. The Religious Film. Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2009.
In Pamela Grace’s book, The Religious Film, she dedicates chapters to different films about Jesus and provides an overview of her thoughts. Camera angle is discussed as something the director adds in, allowing the viewer to take the angles as something of an understanding of God’s exceptional gift to his people (68). The more traditional view of the movie shows Gospel stories following along with each other. Some people think Jesus is John the Baptist coming back from the dead (72). Overall, this outlook gives a negative effect on the miracles, which makes them different from the Gospels. The movie ends with Jesus saying, if his people love him, they should feed his sheep to the end of the world, as he leaves for Heaven (77). Grace’s chapter on the Last Temptation of Christ discusses a review of the movie and adds to the scenes similar to
the Gospels and the ones very different from the gospels; Mary Magdalene’s character is very different than in the Bible (152). This source will help to have reviews for the movies.
Goodacre, Mark, “Do You Think You’re What They Say You Are?”, Journal of Religion and Film, October 2009, volume 3, issue 2.
In the article, “Do You Think You’re What They Say You Are?”, the writer, Mark Goodacre, says King of Kings I shows“a fair, good looking, traditional western Jesus”. The article refers to King of Kings as a hallmark of Jesus films and how his character is portrayed. The film spends a lot of time on making Jesus a king among kings character. Films which have traditional images of Jesus’s character avoid showing realism. The Last Temptation of Christ shows very different idea of the image of Jesus. Produced in the 1980’s the overall feeling of the film is very different; fashioning a new and changed Jesus. The main difference in traditional films such as King of Kings, and knew and updated films, such as The Last Temptation of Christ, is the image of Christ that is portrayed.
Johnston, Robert K. Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film in Dialogue. Mississippi: Baker Academic, 2007.
In Robert J. Johnston's book, Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film Dialogue, he looks at the power of film. His argument is that film is becoming a religion in itself. He is looking at how people watch a movie in the same setting or way they do when they are in church (28). When the viewer sees the power in a movie they become inspired and interested in the content of the movie (26). Johnston also goes as far as to say film is extending beyond the church; the films are having more effect than sitting in a church and listening to a pastor (31). The viewer gets pulled into the films and forms opinions and ideas from watching the film (33). The viewer can be inspired by the different ideas seen on the movie screen. This will be looked at in the movies chosen for my report; seeing the effect of this idea on people watching the chosen movies.
Lindlof, Thomas R., Hollywood Under Siege: Martin Scorsese, the Religious Right, and the Culture Wars. Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky, 2008.
In Thomas R. Lindlof’s book, Hollywood Under Siege: Martin Scorsese, the Religious Right, and the Culture Wars, the outer shell of The Last Temptation movie is reviewed. The information in the book, such as box office decisions to critical reviews, provides details to the film. This movie was selling out and becoming more popular as days went on (257). This film’s story line causes some to feel uncomfortable with the idea of Bible characters acting a certain way and the executive of the film makers gave the option to not work on the project (208). The information in this review will be helpful to have with statistic information to back up and help explain parts of my paper. The film covers difficult topics in a less than perfect light, which conflicts with King of Kings, allowing for comparison to be made.
Lyden, John C. Film as Religion. New York: New York University Press, 2003.
In John Lyden’s book, Film as Religion, he mentions The Last Temptation of Christas a movie that raises religious issues. This film does, however, fail to act“religiously” meaning it does not share inspiration of the Bible stories. This is due to the lack of religious guide lines. Lyden looks at how films affect the viewer and how the film will stick with the viewer through life, depending on the message within the film (11). Lyden also discusses how religion is defined and says Christians look at religion as something which creates a transcendent being. This being manifested in the Christian God, implementing his ways (37). As discussed in the book, Clifford Geertz looks at religion has something to be defined rather than explained (41). My paper will look at religion as a definition and how they differ in their separate definitions of religion and the form of the religious message in the film.
Martin, Joel W., and Conrad E. Ostwalt Jr., ed. Screening the Sacred: Religion, Myth, and Ideology in Popular American Film. Colorado: Westview Press, 1995.
In Joel W. Martin and Conrad E. Ostwalt Jr.’s, Screening the Scared: Religion, Myth, and Ideology in Popular American Film, part one covers aspects of religion and film. The chapter covering Religion, Film, and Cultural Analysis, looks at film as something that allows Americans to look at religion more than they might think (152). When watching films, pop culture brings in religion into image, wording, or other things. Myth, rituals, and symbols all show ways the religion aspect is shown in film (196).Ostwalt Jr. says that students are limited by their own imagination and can think of film in any way they wish (159). This essay and other small sections will be used in my paper to be used as a background for the movies.
Riley, Robin. Film, Faith, and Cultural Conflict. Connecticut: Praeger Publishers, 2003.
In Robin Riley’s book, Film, Faith, and Cultural Conflict, the movie The Last Temptation of Christ is discussed. The book details issues that arise and how they are debated over. The different “sore spots” brought up in the movie caused the issue concerning religion and film. People did not want to see Mary Magdalene as a whore. The idea of Jesus being friends with a known prostitute was very unacceptable. Even today people get upset about the idea (15). The book mentions that temptations grow; this is also something Christians do not want to hear because the idea of Jesus’s temptations increasing upsets them (15). This source will be used to represent an opposite side if this information is needed.
Schrader, Paul. The Last Temptation of Christ. DVD. Directed by: Martin Scorsese. Morocco: Harry J. Ufland, 1988.
In the film,The Last Temptation of Christ, the opening scene discloses that the “film is not based upon the Gospels but upon this fictional exploration of eternal spiritual conflict”. The film shows Jesus from a “human” side of Jesus; he does not want to sleep with Mary Magdalene at the beginning of the film and ending with marrying her. In the movie Jesus never talks to God; Jesus is always trying to have conversation with God, but never gets answers. This shows Jesus’s human, vulnerable side because he does not know how to communicate or hear from his God. Jesus preforms miracles and the last supper is still acted out in the film. At the end Jesus is tempted by Satan and marries Mary Magdalene; Mary and her baby are killed and the angle is discovered as the devil. Jesus as temptations by Mary Magdalene from the beginning of the film, standing up for her when she being stoned for her sin and when she is sleeping with many men.
Staley, Jeffrey L. and Richard Walsh, Jesus, the Gospels, and Cinematic Imagination. Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2007.
In Jeffrey L. Staley and Richard Walsh’s book, Jesus, the Gospels, and Cinematic Imagination, they highlight the movies King of Kings and the Last Temptation of Christ. In the movie King of Kings, the director incorporates two battle scenes and a very “Gospel like” sermon on the mount (37). The character of Jesus is very traditional as well, wishing for “peace, love, and brotherhood of man” (36). In the Last Temptation of Christ, the film is more of Jesus not really knowing his full purpose on earth. This makes his death and reason for dying harder to follow; his death scene does not make it clear as to whether his death is beneficial to the people or not (111). The movie does state that Jesus was dying for the sin of the world (111). This book will act as a review opinion for my paper.
Starr, Charlie W., “Faith without Film is Dull: C. S. Lewis Corrects Evangelicals on Art, Movies, and Worldviews Analysis,” Christian Scholar Review, Summer 2011, volume 40, issue 40.
In Charlie W. Starr’s article, he looked at the approach C. S. Lewis takes on art in religion. Lewis says that art is something to further God’s kingdom and allow people to become intrigued with the images (368). Lewis also believes that images can give people the right impression or the wrong impression (370). This occurs when color indicate evil or bad, such as red. Also this occurs when the people in an image look unhappy (370). This is a great thought for defining images in the movies. I will look at the colors on clothing or facial expressions to identify whether someone is good or evil according to the movie. This idea will be shown in images placed on the blog.
Yordan, Philip. King of Kings. DVD. Directed by: Nicholas Ray. Madrid, Spain. Samuel Bronston, 1961.
In the film King of Kings, the traditional Gospel story is shown in the script of the film. The theme of the movie brought together the stories in the Gospels, connecting them along the way. The beginning opens with the well-known rulers of the time period setting up the story of Jesus’ birth. Harrods dislike towards Messiah’s is seen in an early stage when he asks for the scriptures to see if the coming of a Messiah was true. When Jesus grew up, John the Baptist baptizes Jesus and upon visiting Jesus’ home John says, “he is without sin, how can I baptize him?” Peter betrays Jesus in this movie, when the roaster crows three times. Jesus’ kind heart is seen when he invites the thief to be with him in paradise. Jesus also shows his weaker side when he cries out to God asking why God has forsaken him.