The Book of Eli

2010

Director: The Hughes Brothers

Distributor: Warner Brothers Pictures

Key Elements: Concept – Visuals

Review:

Before the cross, Israel carried the hope of the Gospel.  Because they were the only people in the whole world with that honor, they were justified in using violence to protect it.

In this movie, the hope of the Gospel is carried, not by a nation, but by a single man.  And likewise, he uses violence to protect it.  Think Road Warrior with a Bible.

One thing I appreciated about this movie was that it showed how the Bible CAN be used incorrectly.  Not everyone appealing to its authority can be trusted.  That’s a rare message and an important distinction.

Another thing I like is how the twist at the end confirms that, not only is the Bible valuable, but what it says is true – Because God has been helping Eli.

Then there’s what I didn’t like.

[Spoiler]

At the end, Eli gets to a safe house where the Bible can be preserved.  …Right next to a Koran!

That’s right - After parading as a pro-Bible story this movie ends on a Universalistic note.

Lame.

Still… the premise is an interesting concept.

Trailer:

Quotes:

• People had more than they needed. We had no idea what was precious and what wasn't. We threw away things people kill each other for now.
• In all these years I've been carrying it and reading it every day, I got so caught up in keeping it safe that I forgot to live by what I learned from it.
• Thank you lord for a warm bed to sleep on, thank you for the food we are about to eat, thank you for a roof over our heads on cold nights such as this, thank you for companionship in hard times like these, Amen.
• IT'S NOT A FUCKIN' BOOK! IT'S A WEAPON. A weapon aimed right at the hearts and minds of the weak and the desperate. It will give us control of them. If we want to rule more than one small, fuckin' town, we have to have it. People will come from all over, they'll do exactly what I tell 'em if the words are from the book. It's happened before and it'll happen again. All we need is that book.
• Its like he's protected somehow, nothing can touch him
• They say the war tore a hole in the sky

Stills: