EDITOR’S NOTE: Once a month in 2020, The Pathway will examine a classic Hollywood retelling of a biblical story, compare it to the actual Word of God, and discuss its artistic merits.
Hollywood has a love-hate relationship with The Bible. On one hand, its principles, the worldview it teaches and the Savior it points to are generally antithetical to many of Hollywood’s own values. On the other hand, the Bible offers a built-in audience and – crucially – royalty-free stories. While far from devotional material, the stretch of biblical epics from the 1950s and 60s can offer an interesting take on Christians’ sacred history. Viewed critically, they can prompt discussion and appreciation for God’s truly magnificent story.