Comments on: Diary of a Country Priest

By: katalogz

katalogz — Thu, 19 May 2011 22:34:09 +0000

Entirely good and well maintained entanglement directory. If the positions your cobweb placement can now submit your site to our directory for free. do gazu!

By: bookmarking demon discount

bookmarking demon discount — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:25:39 +0000

many people think that social bookmarking could be be beneficial to the average internet marketer, because It can definitely be good when it comes to generating 100’s of leads for your business.

By: Sam Juliano

Sam Juliano — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:27:15 +0000

This masterful review is well-worth revisiting.

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:15:00 +0000

Very thoughtful review and one that floods this film back into my mind like a broken dam. I was very, very moved by this film when I first saw it and, in fact, it reduced me to tears. I’m a huge Bresson fan because of the simplicity of his approach that reveals every raw nerve and action. It is as though he hasn’t got time to waste on the usual adornments of film or human interaction. He strips the action down to its essentials.

I often compare this film to another one in which a priest is despised, Bunuel’s Nazarin. That film forms the perfect burlesque to Bresson’s ballet.

By: Evan Derrick

Evan Derrick — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:02:44 +0000

Since we're on the subject of films that have influenced us spiritually, I'd submit The Mission, The Return of the King, and Requiem for a Dream as three that had a profound impact on my spiritual life, in three very different ways.

By: Phillip Johnston

Phillip Johnston — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:57:17 +0000

I suppose, however, that to name it a “Christian film” limits it to a certain audience, a certain category …

I think that’s the main problem. From interacting with a few people who want to make “Christian films”, I’ve observed that their kind of films are made mostly for an audience desirous of a small sermon with an explicitly evangelical message and/or an altar call. Perhaps I wasn’t clear enough about that.

Yes, art in general has broadened me spiritually in tremendous ways (specifically film, but literature as well). What films would you say have influenced your thinking most, Rick? I figure this thread is as good as any to discuss this topic.

By: Rick Olson

Rick Olson — Sat, 03 May 2008 02:43:06 +0000

[OOPS ... hit return too early. here's the rest of my post:]

Sounds like film, for you, has been a spiritually broadening influence; in general, over the years, it has for me as well.

Again, a fine review!

By: Rick Olson

Rick Olson — Sat, 03 May 2008 02:39:51 +0000

Nice review, Phillip … I’m gonna put this one on my netflix queue; the only Bresson I’ve seen is “Au Hasard Balthazar.”

I’m not sure I buy your distinction between Christian films and “films that deal with issues of faith on a spiritual level,” though. If it’s that “Christian films” are primarily polemic in nature, or they seek to “convert” the viewer, then ok … but from your description, I’d say that this was a very Christian film, dealing with Christian themes in a mature, responsible way. I suppose, however, that to name it a “Christian film” limits it to a certain audience, a certain category …

Roman Catholics were the only Christians for about a thousand years; they defined the nature of heresy, and determined what is orthodox and what was not. I find it amusing that the evangelical denominations, most of which have been around less than a century, feel they can criticize the Catholic church on the grounds of rightness of belief (for the record, I’m equally amused when one of my Presbyterian colleagues does the same, and we’ve been around for about 500 years).

Sounds like film, for you, has been a broadening influenceI’m equally amused that

By: Phillip Johnston

Phillip Johnston — Sat, 03 May 2008 01:47:52 +0000

Not crass at all — that happens to be the reason I think The Exorcist is a great film. Too bad people look at it just for the Ellen Burstyn/Linda Blair storyline when Karass is really the most important character.

Thanks for taking the time to read this one. It was a bit long winded on my part…

By: Luke Harrington

Luke Harrington — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:22:26 +0000

Wow, what a review.

This might be a slightly crass allusion, but it reminds me of a conversation I had with someone over William Friedkin’s The Exorcist. He was frustrated by it because God never made an appearance in it – never showed his absolute power over demons. I had to point out to him that the story was, ultimately, about God’s reclamation of a single man’s soul – Father Karras’s. The way the demon gets exorcised is not a display of God’s full glory; it’s simply the moment that a single man understands the power of redemptive grace. And, of course, the film is much more effective because of that bit of subtlety.