Best Movies About Easter

From William Wyler, starring Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd, Haya Harareet
Rated G

Ben-Hur is a 1959 epic historical drama film directed by William Wyler and starring Charlton Heston as the title character. A Jewish prince named Judah Ben-Hur is falsely accused of treason by his adopted Roman brother Messala and is sentenced to life as a galley slave. After years of hardship, Ben-Hur is eventually able to escape his captivity and seeks revenge against his former brother. Along his journey, he meets and helps a series of characters, eventually becoming a respected chariot racer and the ruler of a small kingdom. In the end, Ben-Hur is reconciled with Messala and is ultimately rewarded with a peaceful life.

From Terry Jones, starring Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Gilliam
Rated R

Life of Brian is a classic British comedy film made in 1979 and directed by Terry Jones. The film follows Brian, an unwitting messiah, who is born on the same day as Jesus Christ and mistaken for him. Throughout the film, Brian is subjected to various misadventures, including joining a group of freedom fighters called the People's Front of Judea and being sentenced to death by crucifixion. His famous line, "He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy!" sums up the essence of the film, which parodies religious beliefs and cultural norms. Despite its comedic nature, the film also contains a strong underlying message about the dangers of mob mentality and organized religion.

From Woody Allen, starring Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts, Carol Kane
Rated PG

Annie Hall is a romantic comedy that follows the ups and downs of a relationship between two headstrong opposites, neurotic New Yorker Alvy Singer (Woody Allen) and the free-spirited Annie Hall (Diane Keaton). Alvy and Annie meet, fall in love, and move in together, but their relationship is challenged by their contrasting personalities, leading to a series of humorous and bittersweet moments as they attempt to make it work. The movie features several flashbacks to Alvy's life as a child, exploring his insecurities and the events that shape his life. Through these flashbacks and conversations between the two lovers, the film captures the complexities of relationships and the power of memories.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Barbara Hershey, Paul Greco
Rated R

The Last Temptation of Christ is a 1988 American epic drama film directed by Martin Scorsese. It is a controversial adaptation of Nikos Kazantzakis' 1955 novel of the same name, which was banned by the Greek Orthodox Church. Written by Paul Schrader, the film is about the life of Jesus Christ, his struggle with various forms of temptation including fear, doubt, depression, reluctance and lust, and his final temptation by Satan to forsake his divine mission and accept a mundane life. The film stars Willem Dafoe as Jesus. The film follows the prophetic story of Jesus' life from his humble beginnings to his crucifixion and resurrection. Throughout the course of the film, Jesus is brought to a deeper understanding of his mission and the ultimate sacrifice he must make to fulfill it. The film also examines the complex relationship between Jesus and Judas Iscariot, who is eventually inspired to betray Jesus for the good of mankind. The Last Temptation of Christ was met with considerable controversy, with many religious leaders and members of the public considering it blasphemous. Despite the controversy, the film was a commercial success and it has gone on to become a cult classic.

From Lasse Hallström, starring Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp, Judi Dench, Alfred Molina
Rated PG-13

From Herbert Ross, starring Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Sally Field, Julia Roberts
Rated PG

From Norman Jewison, starring Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, Yvonne Elliman, Barry Dennen
Rated G

From Peter Ramsey, starring Hugh Jackman, Alec Baldwin, Isla Fisher, Chris Pine
Rated PG

From Kevin Reynolds, starring Joseph Fiennes, Tom Felton, Peter Firth, Cliff Curtis
Rated PG-13

From Tim Hill, starring Russell Brand, James Marsden, Elizabeth Perkins, Kaley Cuoco
Rated PG