Of Pilgrims and Fire: When God Shows Up at the Movies
Roy M. Anker
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2010, 259 pp., $17.99
Some Christians look at movies and see a threat to the Christian faith—amoral stories filled with problematic content that have very little redeeming value. Roy M. Anker is here to tell us that’s not necessarily so.
In Pilgrims and Fire, Anker examines 20 works of cinema, from runaway blockbusters (E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial; Superman: The Movie) to foreign critical darlings (Babette’s Feast, The Color of Paradise) to R-rated Oscar winners (American Beauty). In them, he finds not just plot and theme, but hints of the divine; not just character, but pilgrims on near sacred quests.
None of these films are explicitly “Christian,” but each can help teach Christians a thing or two about their own walks toward and in faith. Anker breaks down each movie with surgical precision, beginning with a quick rundown of the film’s plot and general themes. Then, Anker fires off a quick list of “Things to Look For,” from the roses found in American Beauty to the use of light in The Thin Red Line.
The “Post-viewing Comments” are Anker’s attempt to offer some overarching thoughts on the film, particularly when it comes to spirituality and faith. Finally, Anker offers a series of questions to help guide discussion once the credits have rolled.
Some of the films are perhaps too adult for younger viewers, but it’s still a provocative look at a few of the world’s most compelling films—one that might have you thinking about cinema in a whole new light.
