Kingdom of Heaven

2005

Director: Ridley Scott

Distributor: Fox Movies / Scott Free Productions

Key Elements: Lines – Message – Music

My Review:

Scott said in a press conference that his goal in making this movie was to show how meaningless and destructive religion can be – that all religion is essentially the same anyway.

I have to agree. Most religion amounts to men trying to appease/manipulate God – whatever they mean by the world. In this way, even the “Christian” Crusaders in this movie are more religious than Christian.

Christianity is not a religion. It is about loving God, not manipulating Him. We live well and make the world better out of love for Him and each other – not to attain some prize.

So if you want an illustration about the meaninglessness of religion and the importance of spiritual integrity, it’s here. There’s some great statements made about it.

But I also just love the image of a band of knights holding together in mutual respect and support. Timeless.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• ‘What man is a man who does not make the world better?’
• You are not what you were born, but what you have it in yourself to be.
• Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright that God may love thee. Speak the truth always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong. That is your oath. [cuffs Balian with the back of his hand] And that's so you remember it. …Arise a knight.
• I shall confess to God when I see him.
• Your soul is in your keeping alone. When you stand before God you cannot say "but I was told by others to do thus" or that "virtue was not convenient at the time.” This will not suffice.
• We fight over an offence we did not give, against those who were not alive to be offended.
  We defend this city, not to protect these stones, but the people living within these walls.
  It is a kingdom of conscience, or nothing.
• I put no stock in religion. By the word religion I have seen the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination be called the will of god. I have seen too much religion in the eyes of too many murderers. Holiness is in right action, and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves, and goodness. What god desires is here [points to head] and here [points to heart] and what you decide to do every day, you will be a good man - or not.
• …and if God does not love you, how could you have done the things you have done?
• You are not what you were born, but what you have it in yourself to be.

Stills:

Gladiator

2000

Director: Ridley Scott

Distributor: Dreamworks

Key Elements: Visuals – Lines – Message – Symbolism – Music - Gospel

My Review:

Awesome.

This is the story of a man fighting for the integrity of an ideal. Rome could represent anything we love that is taken from us. Maximus represents our desire to fight to protect and restore.

For me, this applies to Christianity. My faith is the most important part of my life. It’s how I identify myself. But many evils have been done (and sometimes are still done) in the name of Christ. Christianity, like Rome, has been hijacked by those who neither love nor respect it.
Those who truly belong to Christ must fight (with love) for the integrity of the faith.

My favorite movie quote ever comes at the beginning of this movie. “What we do in life echoes in eternity.” This is the first message of the gospel. If we spend our life running away from God, we spend eternity apart from Him. But if we spend life seeking and loving him, we spend eternity with Him.

Trailer:



Quotes:

• Brothers, what we do in life... echoes in eternity.
• Strength and honor.
• I don't pretend to be a man of the people. But I do try to be a man for the people.
• I knew a man once who said, "Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back."
• To my son - I tell him I will see him again soon. To keep his heels down while riding his horse. To my wife... that is not your business.
• Whatever comes out of these gates, we've got a better chance of survival if we work together. Do you understand? If we stay together we survive.
• Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained?
• Marcus Aurelius had a dream that was Rome, Proximo. That is not it. That is not it!
  My name is Gladiator …My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.
• The time for honoring yourself will soon be at an end.
• Today I saw a slave become more powerful than the Emperor of Rome.
• There was a dream that was Rome. It shall be realized.

Stills: