The 25 best films about religious figures

Kevin Smith is a director not particularly well-known for his sense of reverence, and this is very much in evidence in Dogma,  which is a scathing takedown of much of organized religion. It focuses on two rebel angels, Bartleby and Loki (played by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon), who set out to bring an end to all Creation. Much of the film’s fame comes from its courting of blasphemy, but Affleck and Damon have excellent chemistry. One of the film’s other highlights is the appearance of the late Alan Rickman as the being known as the Metatron. 

Roberto Rossellini is rightly regarded as one of the most influential Italian directors, thanks to his intimate involvement with the movement known as neorealism. In The Flowers of St. Francis, he turned his attention to the life of St. Francis, showing various aspects of his life and work. Though it wasn’t particularly loved at the time — ironically because it didn’t display the same brutal realism of some of the director’s other work — it has come to be seen as not just a profoundly beautiful film but also one which comes closer than many movies to bringing the sacred into the cinema. 

Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman were two of the most beloved stars of their generation, and they have amazing chemistry in The Bells of St. Mary’s. They each play a religious figure — Crosby as Father Chuck O’Malley and Bergman as Sister Mary Benedict — who manage to overcome their differences as they try to keep their school from being closed. There’s something delightfully old-fashioned about the film, and there is such transparent joy in both Crosby’s and Bergman’s performances that it’s almost impossible for even the most cynical and jaded of modern viewers not to fall under the film’s magnetic spell.

Thomas More was, for a time, one of the most important men during the reign of Henry VIII before he fell afoul of his monarch due to his refusal to acknowledge him as Supreme Head of the Church of England. In A Man for all Seasons, he is portrayed by Paul Scofield, who brings a quiet and steadfast dignity to the role. He ably captures the profound bravery of a man unwilling to bend his conscience even when faced with death, and it allows the viewer to understand how this man was eventually declared a saint by the Catholic Church.

Even 80 years after its release, The Song of Bernadette retains its power to move its audience. Jennifer Jones stars as the character of the title, a young woman who experienced several visions and was eventually declared a saint by the Catholic Church in 1933. Jones is perfectly cast as Bernadette Soubirous, capturing just the right type of innocence. Released in 1953, it provided audiences with a means of escaping the ever-present specter of World War II, and even today, many find solace and comfort in its relatively simple and pure spiritual message. 

Based on the novel of the same name by renowned Italian author Umberto Eco, The Name of the Rose  follows Sean Connery’s friar, William of Baskerville, as he examines a series of murders that have taken place in an Italian abbey. Though it takes some noted liberties with the original novel, it retains the source material’s clever mix of mystery and philosophical richness. It is also an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the cast. In addition to Connery, it stars such noted stars as F. Murray Abraham, Christian Slater, and Ron Perlman. 

It’s fair to say that Agora is the thinking person’s epic, focusing as it does on Hypatia of Alexandria, one of the last pagan philosophers. Set in the late 4th century, it follows Hypatia as she struggles to keep the light of ancient philosophy alive in an increasingly belligerent and misogynist Christian world. Rachel Weisz is hauntingly intense as Hypatia, and it’s hard not to feel a wrenching sadness as the great Library of Alexandria is ransacked by ravenous Christians. When, at the end of the film, Hypatia is executed by stoning, it marks the definitive moment when the pagan past and all of its wisdom are consigned to oblivion. 

Audrey Hepburn gave one of the most noted and celebrated performances in her career with The Nun’s Story, in which she plays Sister Luke, a young woman who enters a convent but has to reckon with what this choice means for her life. It’s easy to see why the film would be so popular with both audiences in general and Hepburn fans in particular. This renowned actress managed to convey the deep conflicts of a woman who felt called to serve but could not reconcile this with her growing hatred for and opposition to the Nazis. 

Few women have been as important to the history of Christianity as Mary Magdalene, a devout follower of Jesus and one of the first to see the empty tomb and the resurrected Jesus. The film, which bears her name, is a thoughtful and moving exploration of her life and her part in Jesus’ ministry. Rooney Mara is more than up to the task of portraying her. The brilliance of Mara’s performance lies in its understated nature. Rather than going for bombast, she chooses a more contemplative and delicate approach, and precisely, this part of her performance makes it so powerful to witness.  

Based on the novel of the same name, The Agony and the Ecstasy focuses on the difficult relationship between renowned Renaissance artist Michelangelo (played by Charlton Heston) and Pope Julius II (played by Rex Harrison). Both actors deliver strong performances, and though the film might strike some audiences today as being a bit wordy, there’s still something enjoyable about seeing this sort of old-fashioned historical drama. Moreover, it is also a fascinating look at how religion and art often intertwined and conflicted during the Renaissance, as well as an insightful portrait of one of the world’s great artists. 

Few world leaders are as important as the pope, who manages to be a figure of both religious and political significance. In The Two Popes,  viewers gain insight into the remarkable relationship between Pope Francis (played by Jonathan Pryce) and Pope Benedict (played by Anthony Hopkins). It’s a meticulously acted film, as one would expect, given the two leads. However, it is also remarkable for how humane it is, as it shows the meeting of two extraordinary men who would leave a remarkable impression on the Catholic Church and the millions of people worldwide who belong to it. 

Carl Theodor Dreyer earned himself a place in the pantheon of great filmmakers with The Passion of Joan of Arc. As its title implies, it focuses on the trial and execution of Joan of Arc, a young woman who, guided by what she said were messages from God, helped to lead the French to several victories against the invading English. Maria Falconetti’s performance is arguably one of the finest in the history of the moving image, and her face, in particular, perfectly captures the experiences of a woman who seemed to truly be in touch with the divine. 

The Wicker Man remains one of the most remarkable examples of folk horror. Directed by Robin Hardy, it follows an English detective as he sets out to investigate the disappearance of a young girl in the Scottish Hebrides. Once there, however, he discovers that, in fact, it has all been a ruse, and that is to be the sacrificial victim to the titular Wicker Man. The film’s evocative atmosphere still has the power to chill the blood, and its fiery conclusion is the stuff of nightmares. As if all of this weren’t enough, Christopher Lee delivers a memorable performance as Lord Summerisle, the leader of this strange and brutal religious commune.

The Master is a true meeting of movie-making genius. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Amy Adams, its story about a Navy veteran who finds himself drawn into the circle of a charismatic religious leader is one that echoes some of the attributes of L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology.  Like so many other Anderson films, it is an enigma with many shades of meaning and possible interpretation. It manages to be many things at once, and it is particularly remarkable as an examination of the stresses and fissures of post-war life.

The Robe is a marvel of the cinema. One of the very first films to be shot and exhibited in widescreen (in this case, CinemaScope), it follows a Roman soldier (played by Richard Burton) who is the one responsible for the Crucifixion of Christ and his subsequent conversion. There are many powerful moments in the film, particularly when Burton’s Gallio finds himself overcome with remorse at his hand in Jesus’ death. In addition, the film is a fascinating look at early Christians' struggles as they found themselves bearing the brunt of Roman disapproval.

Doubt is one of those films that manages to be both troubling and absolutely compelling simultaneously. Focusing on the rivalry between Meryl Streep’s  Sister Aloysius Beauvier and Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Father Brendan Flynn, particularly the former’s belief that the latter might be taking advantage of the students at the parish school. Both Streep and Hoffman are at the top of their respective games, and it’s the type of film that manages to get under the viewer’s skin. Filled with unsettling ideas, it more than lives up to its own title, leaving the viewer in as much doubt as the characters. 

Darren Aronofsky has repeatedly demonstrated that he is one of today’s most unique and visionary directors, and he certainly shows this with Noah,  his take on the biblical figure of the same name. In addition to drawing on the traditional story as laid out in the Book of Genesis, Aronofsky also draws on several traditions, giving the film a unique feeling and sensibility unlike almost any other big-screen biblical spectacular. Russell Crowe gives a particularly memorable performance as Noah, a man who has to shoulder the burden of knowing that he is responsible for saving his family while the rest of the world will be drowned in a terrible flood. 

Many films have been made about the life of Jesus, and each director brings something unique to their translation of the story into the modern medium of cinema. Martin Scorsese explores the human side of Jesus in his controversial film The Last Temptation of Christ, which starred a young Willem Dafoe in the role. The idea of Christ facing actual sexual temptation startled and outraged many, but this is precisely what gives the film its unique emotional power. It shows the heavy burden Christ bore as he set out to shoulder his identity as the Messiah and the sacrifices he was forced to make on the road to his death.

Mel Gibson turned his directorial attention to the story of Christ’s torture and execution in The Passion of the Christ, in which Jim Caviezel starred as the title character. Gibson’s film is (in)famous for its graphic depictions of violence, which some regard as a faithful demonstration of what the event would have looked like but which others call gratuitous. Regardless of one’s religious affiliation, there is an undeniable visceral power to The Passion of the Christ, and it is arguably one of those films that comes closest to translating a spiritual vision into a piece of cinematic storytelling. 

Ben-Hur remains one of the most critically acclaimed and financially successful movies ever, and it still holds the record for the most Oscar wins. It’s easy to see why this would be the case, as it features deft direction from William Wyler and astounding performances from Charlton Heston and Stephen Boyd. Its story about Heston’s Judah Ben-Hur and his encounter with Christ as he makes his way to his Crucifixion is still remarkably moving, as is the human drama between Judah and his mother and sister, who are ultimately healed of leprosy. It remains one of those rare films that manages to be grounded and spiritually uplifting. 

The Bible: In the Beginning is regarded as the last of the big-budget biblical spectaculars. Directed by the great John Huston, it dramatizes some of the most notable stories from Genesis. Of particular note is the segment detailing the life of Abraham, his wife, Sarah, and their son, Isaac. It manages to be grand, sweeping, and emotionally poignant in much the same way as the original story in the Bible. It also features some great performances from George C. Scott, Ava Gardner, and director Huston, who plays Noah. 

If there was one director who excelled at producing larger-than-life biblical spectacles, it was Cecil B. DeMille. In The Ten Commandments, he outdid himself, producing one of the most memorable films of the 1950s. As its title suggests, it focuses on the biblical figure of Moses, played here by Charlton Heston, as he is raised among Egyptians only to discover his true Hebrew heritage, after which he becomes God’s agent to free his people from bondage. Though it might be a bit silly from today’s viewpoint, there is still a lot to enjoy about this film. The simple scale of what DeMille achieved is impossible not to admire, and the film stands as a testament to Hollywood imagination. 

Though many of the most notable biblical films of the middle of the 20th century focused on men, a few put women's experiences at the center of the story. As its title suggests, The Story of Ruth focuses on the character of Ruth, situating her amid the world of which she was a part. Elana Eden is perfectly cast as the heroine, and she manages to capture just the right mix of exterior delicacy and inner strength. It’s also worth noting the extraordinary performance of Peggy Wood, who plays Naomi.

The 1960s was the last gasp of the biblical epics that were so popular with audiences. The Greatest Story Ever Told exemplifies Hollywood excess, filled with cameos, spectacle, and musical bombast. Nevertheless, there is something remarkable about Max von Sydow’s performance as Jesus, and his experience in art film allows him to endow this version of the Savior with a certain otherworldly beauty and stateliness. Though critics savaged it at the time, there is still much to recommend this film, which stands as a testament to a certain old-fashioned sort of filmmaking that has receded into the past.

Nicholas Ray was one of the most visionary directors working in Hollywood during the studio era, and he seemed to have a particularly rich understanding of the mindset of postwar youth. He brings all of these sensibilities to bear in King of Kings, which focuses on the life and ministry of Jesus while situating him amidst the Roman world of which he was a part. Jeffrey Hunter gives a memorable performance as Jesus, capturing the human and divine aspects of this all-important world religious figure. More thoughtful and subdued than many other postwar epics, King of Kings manages to be both of its time and timeless.