BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
EVERY HOLY WEEK, national television networks (aside from cable) take a break from their normal broadcasting schedules.
I can still remember, from when I was a child, television channels broadcast classic movies depicting stories about biblical characters.
However, in today’s world, these channels have already switched their usual Holy Week movies to more modern dramas, particularly Filipino movies.
Fortunately, with today’s internet, I can still enjoy some of the classic movies during my Holy Week break.
Below are my top four must-watch movies for Holy Week.
1. “The 10 Commandments (1956)” starring Charlton Heston as Moses and Yul Brynner as Pharaoh Ramses II.
I would say this is one of the best biblical movies to date, and not even the modern-made movies such as Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014) come close to beating it.
The 10 Commandments (1956) was probably the most advanced movie to be made for its time, especially with its special effects and optical tricks.
The special effects for the parting of the Red Sea were even considered the most difficult to make at the time.
The movie was also one of the longest, running for more than three hours.
2. “The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima (1952)”, starring Susan Whitney as Lúcia dos Santos, Sherry Jackson as Jacinta Marto, and Sammy Ogg as Francisco Marto.
It is a story of the events of the Marian Apparition that took place in the town of Fatima in Portugal in 1917.
It also has a modern counterpart released in 2020 called “Fatima,” which I wasn’t able to watch yet although I’m hoping it would be shown this year on television.
The 1952 film, however, sticks to what happened during the Marian apparition, particularly the Miracle of the Sun.
I recommend watching the movie together with the kids, as it would teach them the importance of faith and prayer.
3. The Filipino-made “Kristo (1996)”. The film has an all-star cast of popular actors during the day such as Mat Ranillo III, Gabby Concepcion, Rudy Fernandez, Lorna Tolentino, Amy Austria, and Aga Muhlach.
It was a smart move by the movie production to change the setting from the Middle East to the Philippine Islands.
The film depicts Christ’s nativity, baptism, and early ministry up until his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.
Unfortunately, though, I would say that this is one of the most difficult Filipino movies to find, even on the internet.
There is one available on YouTube, although it is of poor quality, while others were cut into multiple parts.
I hope that the original production company releases a remastered HD version, as I recommend it.
4. “Passion of the Christ (2004)”. I have no love for movies directed by Mel Gibson, but for the Passion of the Christ, he nailed it, and I had to give an exemption.
Even though some say that the violence depicted was too much, Gibson did a good job depicting Christ’s final hours.
The movie stars Jim Caviezal as Jesus, Maia Morgenstern as Mary, Monica Belluci as Mary Magdalene, and Sergio Rubini as Dismas the Penitent Thief.
Gibson’s decision to use the Hebrew, Latin, and Aramaic dialogue was spot on, as it brings more authenticity to it.
In researching the movie, I found out some highly interesting facts, such as Caviezel getting struck by lightning during filming but miraculously emerging unharmed.
Because of the experiences during film production, many of the cast and filming crew would later convert to Catholicism.
The film even caused several cases of repentance among viewers, such as a 21-year-old man in Texas who, after watching the film, surrendered himself to the police and admitted to being the one responsible for murdering his pregnant girlfriend.
In another case, a bank robber also gave himself up to the police after watching the film.
You should watch the film, as it teaches about forgiveness and repentance./PN
