November-December 2006 – In 2004, the multi-million dollar success of The Passion of the Christ opened the eyes of a spiritually blind Hollywood and inadvertently set a precedent for the entertainment industry’s future pursuit of faith-based movies.

This spiritual awakening is particularly evident in the box office line-up this fall, which kicked off with the overtly Christian church-made film Facing the Giants. 

The line-up continues with the limited release of One Night with the King, an adaptation of the Old Testament story of Esther from Gener8Xion Entertainment, and the wide release of The Nativity Story, a Biblical, historical and realistic depiction of the birth of Christ from New Line Cinema. It is clear that Hollywood is making valid attempts to produce faith-based movies for a faith-hungry audience.

“I think there is no questioning that The Passion knocked down a wall,” said Mike Rich, writer of The Nativity Story and other family-friendly films such as Radio and The Rookie. 

Rich is quick to admit that if he had taken his idea for a film about the birth of Christ to Hollywood three years ago, it would have received a completely different response – that being a negative one. 

“So, I think what’s happening is we’re entering another era in which these films are going to become more prevalent,” Rich explained. “[In fact] … there are more [similar] stories out there that Hollywood is now taking a very serious look at pursuing.” 

Here are some reviews of current faith-based films from different segments of the entertainment industry.

The Nativity Story
Based on the screenplay and an unfinished cut of the film, Hollywood’s pursuit of The Nativity Story is a splendid one. Set to release December 1, just in time for the Christmas season, The Nativity Story brings a sense of humanity to the supernatural birth of Christ by delving into the lives of Mary and Joseph. The film begins prior to their betrothal and ends right after Jesus’ birth while honing in on the people, circumstances, culture and journey surrounding the coming of the long-awaited Messiah. 

“When I read these Gospel accounts [of Jesus’ birth], there are these sentences that jump out at me,” said Rich, who is a Christian. “Like one sentence that [says], ‘Joseph took Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem.’ Well that’s one sentence in the Gospel, but it’s 110 miles, and to me I think … we’ve forgotten what the road must have been like … the conversations they must have had and the fear [they felt] of how … [to] raise such a child.” 

Through in-depth character development that came from 11 months of Biblical and historical research, Rich combines speculative scenarios with Scriptural accounts to bring a powerful and thought-provoking portrayal to the big screen. It’s a plausible approach like no other that instills an appreciation and understanding for the people God chose to use in His divine plan. 

“The fact of the matter is that without including a number of speculative scenes, this would have been an awfully short movie,” Rich said. But more than that, delving into the hearts of the characters – be it the Magi, the shepherds or Mary’s parents – gives a level of depth to the story not often considered.

“I think … getting inside the hearts and the souls of these individuals makes that last moment – the quintessential Nativity scene – all the more powerful,” Rich added. 

Of course, when it comes to Hollywood’s depiction of anything Biblical there is going to be some skepticism. Therefore, it is important to note that the film does contain some traumatic scenes related to massacres, crucifixions and sacrifices, but Rich believes he presented them in a way that is appropriate for the whole family. Still, others may question the film’s blending of the two birth narratives found in Matthew and Luke.

“But hopefully what this story does is it becomes an accessible vehicle to introduce folks to the overall story,” Rich said. 

At this point, it seems to do that plus a whole lot more. “I encourage you to make The Nativity Story part of Christmas for you and your family. It reminds us of what Christmas is all about – faith and family,” said AFA Chairman Don Wildmon. 

At press time, the film had not been rated.

One Night with the King
Based on a novel by Tommy Tenney and Mark Andrew Olsen, One Night with the King is a film that fills the gaps in the Biblical narrative of Esther with a complex, but believable, tale of love and intrigue. 

Filmed in India, the film boasts high-production values and an excellent cast. Apparently sensitive to family audiences, the movie is free of objectionable content.

In fact, the story has been so sanitized as to stray from the Biblical story in some ways. For example, Esther is summoned to the king’s chambers, not to fulfill the duties of a concubine, but to read the chronicles of the kingdom. 

Other elements not recorded in the Scripture include: Esther is portrayed as desiring to return to Israel; a necklace given to her by Hegai, the eunuch, plays an important symbolic role; Hathach, a eunuch assigned to Esther, is portrayed as a former childhood boyfriend.

Although the filmmakers have gone beyond simply offering historical context for the story and assume motives that are not evident in the Biblical account, they also get much right. 

Bottom line: an worthy movie, a plausible adaptation and safe for family viewing. However, don’t confuse this story with the real one.

Suggested reading: Esther and Ruth by Iain M. Duguid from P & R Publishing at www.prpbooks.com.    

The movie released October 13 in theaters and will be available on DVD in March 2007. 
Review by Rusty Benson

Love’s Abiding Joy 
Michael Landon Jr. brings his fourth film installment of the Love Comes Softly series to the big screen with the help of Fox Faith, the new faith-based distribution label from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. 

Love’s Abiding Joy, based on the fourth novel in a series from best-selling author Jeanette Oke, is the theatrical debut from Fox Faith that released in October on over 200 screens in the United States and Canada. 

Love’s Abiding Joy continues the triumphant love story of Missie and Willie Lahaye as they are challenged by grief, financial hardship and deceit.  

Basically keeping with the series’ family-friendly tone and overt Christian content, Love’s Abiding Joy is a bit disappointing due to the inclusion of one mild profanity and a kissing scene between two unmarried teens – elements not characteristic of the previous movies. 

The movie is rated PG and will be available on home video and DVD in December. 

Charlotte’s Web … not faith-based, but family-friendly
From Paramount Pictures and Walden Media comes Charlotte’s Web, a live-action film adaptation of the classic book by E. B. White that is set to open in theaters December 20. 

The film comes to life through actors of all ages, and both adults and children are likely to be touched by this story of loyalty, trust, sacrifice, self-worth, selflessness, friendship and love. 

The film not only boasts of positive values and timeless truths, it also plugs reading and writing skills while evoking a number of emotions – from laughter to crying. Audiences will grow to love the adorable Wilbur the pig who is saved by Fern and befriended by his barnyard gang – all of whom work together under the leadership of Charlotte the spider to convince others that Wilbur is worth far more than a trip to the smokehouse. 

Charlotte’s Web is rated G and is a top pick for families, especially those with young children. However, it is important to note the film’s crude humor that centers on flatulence, belching and name-calling. Disobedience is seen in Fern’s character as well as marital dissatisfaction among a pair of geese who constantly nag each other. 

But, thankfully, the positive outweighs the negative in this film, and viewers can be sure that the story of Wilbur and his friends will find a special place in their hearts. 

The Ten Commandments: The Musical … faith-based, not family-friendly
This new DVD release seems to be more successful at breaking God’s laws rather than honoring them. 

Val Kilmer stars in this two-hour stage production. The music is poweful, but the content is tainted with sensuality, sometimes extreme. Go with the Charlton Heston version, or better yet, read the Book.