Produced, directed, and narrated by Cecil B. DeMille, The Ten Commandments was at the time of its release the most expensive film ever made and up until now considered an epic masterpiece. Based on books Prince of Egypt, Pillar of Fire, On Eagle's Wings, and the Book of Exodus from the Bible, this film is a dramatisation of the life of Moses (Charlton Heston), the adopted Egyptian prince who has delivered his fellow Hebrews from slavery and received the Ten Commandments from God at Mount Sinai.

Available on Youtube Movies and Google Play

This Swedish historical fantasy film has set Ingmar Bergman as one of the important filmmakers in the world. Although The Seventh Seal (as it was titled in English) was a fictional film that portrays the journey of a medieval knight (Max von Sydow) and his game of chess against Death personified (Bengt Ekerot), it was inspired by the Book of Revelation and reflects on the concepts of death and meaning of life.

Available on Google Play

Starring Charlton Heston as the titular character, this film was an adaptation of Lew Wallace's novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of Christ. It tells the story of the fictional wealthy Jewish prince and merchant Judah Ben-Hur who became a prisoner and a slave because of an accident. His fraternal relationship with the tribune Messala then turned sour and became a rivalry that was put to test by an epic chariot race. Although Ben-Hur's melodramatic story has the spotlight in this film, the significant events in his life is set against the backdrop of Jesus' birth, passion, and crucifixion.

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A follow-up to Ben-Hur, MGM's 1961 epic film portrays the life of Jesus of Nazareth (Jeffrey Hunter) from his birth and ministry to his crucifixion and resurrection. Most of the Hollywood films at the time that portrays the life of Jesus on earth does not show His face but a mere body figure that suggests so. This was due to reverence to Christ's image. However, King of Kings was the first large-budgeted, sound film from a major Hollywood studio that has shown Christ's face. Also according to the non-fiction book The Magnificent Showman, Nicholas Ray handpicked Jeffrey Hunter for the role because of his striking eyes.

Available on Amazon

Declared by the Vatican newspaper in 2015 as the best film on Christ ever made, this classic masterpiece is a cinematic rendition of only one of the four gospels that was handpicked by filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini for its poetry. Although The Gospel According to Matthew does not present an amalgam of the four gospels, it was well received by the critics as well as the Vatican.

Available on Amazon Prime (both original black and white & coloured versions)

Another film that portrays Jesus of Nazareth is this George Stevens masterpiece starring Max von Sydow as the lead character. The title comes from the film's origin which is a radio series of the same title in 1947 and was adapted into a novel in 1949. Compared to the previous films mentioned, this one was shot in the American southwest and in Hollywood studios. Although it received a number of nominations from the Academy, the critics disliked it for having numerous cameo appearances by some acclaimed Hollywood film stars.

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This 1966 British biographical drama film portrays the final years of St Thomas More, the 16th Century Lord Chancellor of England who refused to sign a letter request to Pope Clement VII to annul King Henry VIII of England's marriage to Catherine of Aragon. St More was also known to disapprove the King's declaration of becoming Supreme Head of the Church of England. The film was an adaptation of Robert Bolt's stage play of the same name and was written for the screen by Bolt himself.

Available on Google Play

After Romeo and Juliet (1968), Zeffirelli returns with this film that examines the life of Sts Francis and Clare of Assisi. Besides portraying the wealthy lives they were born to and from which St Francis withdrew himself, the film also attempts to draw parallels between the work and philosophy of the revered patron saint of animals and poverty vis-a-vis the counterculture movement of the '60s and early '70s.

Available on Amazon

In this two-part biographical film made for television, Olivia Hussey portrays Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Also called before as "the living saint", Mother teresa was known for her missionary work for people dying of HIV/AIDS, leprosy, and tuberculosis, her soup kitchens and mobile clinics for the poor, as well as her orphanages and schools. The film also features how she struggled to receive the approval and permission for the congregation she founded, the Missionaries of Charity.

Available on Amazon

In this recent biblical drama film, Rooney Mara steps into the sandals of Mary of Magdala who is perhaps the most misrepresented apostle of Christ. With Joaquin Phoenix as Jesus Christ and Chiwetel Ejiofor as Peter, the film shows how Mary Magdalene repented from her sins, accepted Christ as the Messiah, and became a witness to His passion, death, and resurrection.

Available on Youtube Movies and Google Play

Jim Caviezel returns to a Biblical-themed film by portraying the evangelist and physician St Luke. Starring James Faulkner as the titular character, the film focuses on the days of St Paul spent in Roman prison before being executed by Emperor Nero. It tells his story of conversion and his "letter to the Romans", the group of Christians housed by Aquilla and Priscilla in the city-empire known for its ruthlessness towards followers of Christ.

Available on Youtube Movies and Google Play