45 Important Movies as Chosen by the Vatican
In 1995, to commemorate 100 years of film-making, the Vatican made a list of what it called “Some Important Films.” The list was divided into three areas–Religion, Values and Art. I’ve been gradually acquiring them and watching them. What I particularly like about the list are the international titles.
Here’s the list with a few comments of my own thrown in:
Religion:
Andrei Rublev
Babette’s Feast – I really enjoyed this slow-moving but tender film.
Ben-Hur – The four-disc edition also includes the original silent film–an excellent dvd set.
The Flowers of St. Francis
Francesco
The Gospel According to St. Matthew
La Passion de Notre Seigneur Jesus-Christ
A Man for All Seasons
The Mission – I love the music in this film.
Monsieur Vincent
Nazarin
Ordet
The Passion of Joan of Arc
The Sacrifice
Therese
Values:
Au Revoir Les Enfants
The Bicycle Thief
The Burmese Harp
Chariots of Fire – Show this movie to all the athletes in your family.
Decalogue
Dersu Uzala
Gandhi
Intolerance
It’s a Wonderful Life
On the Waterfront – One of my favorite movies of all time–Brando and Malden are brilliant.
Open City
Schindler’s List
The Seventh Seal
Tree of Wooden Clogs
Wild Strawberries
Art:
Citizen Kane – Another one of my favorites.
8 1/2
Fantasia
Grand Illusion
La Strada
The Lavender Hill Mob
The Leopard
Little Women
Metropolis – I can’t believe how powerful this movie remains after all these years.
Modern Times – My family’s favorite Chaplin movie–hilarious and touching.
Napoleon
Nosferatu
Stagecoach
2001: A Space Odyssey
The Wizard of Oz
For more information, see Steven Greydanus’ excellent article, “The Vatican Film List: Ten Years Later,” and reviews of all the films on the US Bishops’ web site.
