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Dec 9, 2023Liked by Beatrice Scudeler

Great idea!

A Man for All Seasons, directed by Fred Zinnemann, 1966. Although infused with the Catholicism and rising Reformation of the Tudor period, this adaption of Robert Bolt's play (he also did the screenplay) focuses on Thomas More as a stalwart of individual conscience. So you have an outwardly powerful Christian witness, but the film is really driving home the idea of a courageous liberal (in the best sense of that term) individual. It's a product of a much more optimistic era in our culture when a heroic religious personality could be admired in secular quarters. Today we're excited when we discover Christian themes in secular films. I find this film fascinating because it's overt religious sensibility wasn't perceived as a threat to secular values. The film is in great contrast to Hilary Mantel's novel (and the television adaption) "Wolfhall". Mantel portrays More as a great threat to "enlightenment".

I think the 1980s sci-fi classic, Bladerunner, is steeped in Christian themes and imagery. It also deals with today's obsession, artificial intelligence. The supreme value placed on life and the soul, and what both of those mean, permeates the film.

Tender Mercies, 1983, simple and stark story of redemption, from relative fame and fortune to rock bottom and then to fullness of humanity.

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I am particularly intrigued by Blade Runner as my husband has been trying to get me to watch it for a long time. Thank you for these suggestions!

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I'm looking forward to the series.

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