In honour of the season and a few well deserved days off work, here is a list of great films to watch over the Easter break.
With religious, dramatic and of course family friendly movies included. If you don't feel like running out to the cinema to see Noah (2014) this weekend I hope you get a chance to watch at least one of these classics over the next few days. I know I will be.
Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory (1971)
Running Time: 1 Hour 40 mins
Genre: Fantasy/Musical/Family
Director: Mel Stuart
Stars: Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson, Peter Ostrum
My Rating: 9/10
A childhood favourite what better time whilst munching on chocolate eggs to watch Charlie Bucket win his golden ticket to visit the mysterious chocolate factory that the strange and kooky Mr Wonka is opening for the day. Full of amazing sets and wonderful songs; a great film for all the family, with a great heart and moral message too.
This is on my watch list.
Easter Parade (1948)
Running Time: 1 Hour 45 mins
Genre: Musical
Director: Charles Walters
Stars: Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Ann Miller, Peter Lawford
My Rating: 9/10
How can you not watch a movie with Easter in the title this Easter weekend.One of my favourite Judy Garland films, she pairs with the incomparable Fred Astaire who plays a song and dance man who needs a new partner. At first he moulds Garland's Hannah Brown into an image of the old pertner (Miller) but begins to discover she has far more talents being herself. A musical full to bursting with amazing Irving Berlin songs and masterful dances. This is one for the whole family.
The Song of Bernadette (1943)
Running Time: 2 Hours 35 mins
Genre: Biography/Drama
Director: Henry King
Stars: Jennifer Jones, Charles Bickford, Vincent Price
My Rating: 9/10
A film loved by my mum and passed on to me. Jennifer Jones is the titular Bernadette a young sickly peasant girl in 1858 Lourdes, France. In the city dump she sees the vision of a beautiful lady, she never claims it to be anything other than what she describes but the townsfolk assume it is the Virgin Mary and ridicule her. Town officials try to make out that she is mad and try to silence her, frightened of the large following she is getting. The claims become a phenomenon and change the lives of all involved, except Bernadette who remains innocent, kind and selfless to the last. A beautiful film about faith and honesty, a must see.
Ben-Hur (1959)
Running Time: 3 Hours 30 minsGenre: Adventure/Drama
Director: William Wyler
Stars: Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd
Remembered for the famous chariot race, and its then record breaking win of 11 Academy Awards. Ben-Hur is the epic tale of a Jewish Prince who is betrayed by an old Roman friend and sent into slavery. He vows to regain his freedom and come back for revenge.
A Hollywood classic they just don't make em like this any more, don't balk at the length. This is perfect for a relaxing Sunday afternoon.
The Ten Commandments (1956)
Running Time: 2 Hours 40 mins
Genre: Historical Epic/Drama/Adventure
Director: Cecil B. DeMille
Stars: Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Anne Baxter
Known for creating great biblical epics Cecil B. DeMille re-imagines his 1923 classic this time bigger, better and in Technicolour. Can't get enough of Charlton Heston? Here he is again as Moses the adopted Prince of the Pharaoh who learns of his true Hebrew heritage. He is cast out of Egypt but returns on a divine message from god to deliver his people to freedom. But this does not go down well with Rameses now Pharaoh, he will fight even god to keep his slaves.
A thrilling movie for this Easter break, the great historical epic has a great message and its visuals will stick in your mind long after it has ended.
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Running Time: 2 Hours 45 mins
Genre: Historical Epic/Drama
Director: Nicholas Ray
Stars: Jeffrey Hunter, Rip Torn, Frank Thring
My Rating: 8/10
King of Kings is the life of Jesus on a grand scale. From his birth in Bethlehem to his crucifixion and later resurrection plus everything in between. Considering the season this is the perfect film for the Easter Break, the charming and gorgeous blue eyed Jeffrey Hunter plays Jesus surrounded by a cast of familiar faces in an array of kind to outright vicious performances. This is a classic well worth a watch despite its length (but lets face it there are longer).
Running Time: 3 Hours 45 mins
Genre: History/Drama
Director: George Stevens
Stars: Max Von Sydow, Charlton Heston, Angela Lansbury
This time George Stevens took a turn at telling one of the most famous stories in history. Max Von Sydow plays Jesus of Nazareth heading a truly star studded cast. What can you say about the life of Jesus, it was an epic story which needs an epic adaptation. The Greatest Story Ever Told fits the bill.
Another great example of a classic movie perfect for Easter.
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Running Time: 1 Hour 35 mins
Genre: Animation/Family
Director: Tim Hill
Stars: Russell Brand, James Marsden
Part animation part live action, this fun Easter romp is channelling Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988). E.B. is the son of the one and only Easter Bunny he is heir to the family business but all he wants to do is become a famous drummer in Hollywood. He runs away from home and is taken in by Fred (Marsden) but when a plot to take over the business comes to fruition. E.B along with Fred must save Easter.
A great one for the kids, and some of you adults too, and perfect for this Easter weekend.
Running Time: 2 Hours 5 mins
Genre: Drama
Director: Mel Gibson
Stars: Jim Caviezel, Maia Morgenstern, Monica Bellucci
One of Mel Gibson's huge directing undertakings and highly criticised, this is a condensed story of Jesus. Focusing on just the final twelve hours of his life after he has been betrayed by Judas Iscariot and is arrested for proclaiming he is the 'Son of God'. A moving take from the actor turned director.
This one is just for the adults, put the kids to bed before you settle down for this one.
Running Time: 2 Hours 40 mins
Genre: Drama
Director: Martin Scorsese
Stars: Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Barbara Hershey
Another one for the adults and again very highly criticised on its release. Dafoe plays a very human Jesus, one with doubts and temptations not unlike the rest of us. Scorsese tells the life of Jesus with his usual gritty but classic style.
Yet another varied telling of the historical tale which leaves its own indelible mark. Storytelling and directing at its finest.
Running Time: 1 Hour 45 mins
Genre: Musical
Director: Norman Jewison
Stars: Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, Yvonne Elliman
Well as if there weren't enough films about Jesus, they decided that what was really missing was a musical. This is the film adaptation of the hit West End stage musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. The film was actually shot in Israel adding that realistic element, and with an added song written just for the film, this is an adaptation for the fans of the musical and the story.
Lloyd Webber and Rice are both musical geniuses so you can't go wrong with a sing-a-long this Easter.
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