Top 10 Movies Based on Bible Stories

This week in Russia, the premiere of the film "Noah" based on the story of the Old Testament about the flood, which the Lord sent to earth for the sins of mankind, took place. It's safe to say that director Darren Aronofsky was completely right when he said that a film about a global flood could only be made in the 21st century, because it is only now that movies have convincing enough special effects and the necessary technical means to illustrate the full power biblical texts.

This year we'll also see Exodus, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Christian Bale, Ben Kingsley and Sigourney Weaver. In addition, in 2014, the film "Son of God" was released. This suggests that the Bible is increasingly becoming a great source of inspiration for directors and producers.

We bring to your attention a list of the 10 best classic films based on biblical stories.

(Total 10 photos)

1. Ten Commandments (1956)

This film was a remake of the 1923 silent film of the same name. Cecil B. DeMille's latest epic is the "alpha and omega" of biblical stories, starring Charleston Heston as Moses, leader of the Chosen People. That year, the film won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects.

2. Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979)

Life of Brian is a 1979 comedy film written, directed and performed by members of the British comedian group Monty Python. This is both a hard religious satire and a smart film about demagogy, hypocrisy and fanaticism, parodying various fanatical movements: feminists, religious fanatics, suicide bombers, nationalists, political populists.

3. The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)

An adaptation of Nikos Kazantzakis' novel The Last Temptation (1955), this controversial film has become one of Martin Scorsese's most significant works. This thought-provoking picture is the director's reflections on Jesus Christ and his dual nature. She revealed sensitive topics for the church and was subjected to massive criticism from religious organizations and believers of various branches of Christianity.

4. Decalogue (1988)

The Ten Commandments, ten wonderful short films by the Polish director Krzysztof Kieślowski. The action of each of them takes place in modern Warsaw. The plots of the films are separate stories, but are united by a common idea.

5. Prince of Egypt (1998)

There is also one animated picture on our list - the first musical full-length cartoon created by the DreamWorks studio. The plot tells about the prophet Moses: starting from his birth, he leads through his youth as the prince of Egypt to the most important period in the life of the hero, the Exodus - the liberation of the Jewish people from Egyptian slavery. The cartoon was shot close enough to the basics of the original biblical story, with the exception of a couple of inconsistencies, and gives the viewer a great mood and energy.

6. Passion of Christ (2004)

Another scandalous film, this time directed by Mel Gibson. This historical drama about the events immediately preceding the crucifixion of Christ describes the last 12 hours of Jesus' life. All the characters in the film, which was marked by realistic scenes of brutal torture, speak reconstructed Aramaic and Latin. This controversial film was criticized by all and sundry, but this did not stop him from receiving three Oscar nominations.

7. Ben-Hur (1959)

A colorful and gripping story of a slave set in the golden era of Roman civilization. Another brilliant performance by Charleston Heston. The key moment of the film is the preaching of Christ on the mountain. There is also a spectacular chariot race scene in the picture. Not surprisingly, this film received a record number of Oscars - 11. It shares this record with Titanic and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

8. Coming soon (1951)

This film is an unusual take on the New Testament from MGM. Camo Coming shows the relationship between Romans and Christians, mixed with a love story between a Roman soldier and a beautiful woman, a follower of a new religion, which is gaining more and more followers. The film stars Robert Taylor, Deborah Kerr, Peter Ustinov and Leo Glenn. The music for the film was written by Miklos Rozsa, who, 8 years later, wrote the musical accompaniment to the film "Ben-Hur".

9. Barabbas (1962)

The film, which picks up where other major films end - at the end of the New Testament - is dedicated to the tragedy of the thief Barrabas (Anthony Quinn), who found himself in the place of Christ. His story is a cross between Gladiator and Hitchcock films, but with a happy spiritual ending.

10. Gospel of Matthew (1964)

A socialist, atheist and gay filmmaker - Pier Paolo Pasolini - made a film that the Vatican approved! Yes it is possible! Moreover, this award-winning film depicts the life of Jesus from the director's Marxist-Catholic perspective and is one of the most famous historical films.