Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Movies for Lent, Spartacus

www.mosaicwichita.com
Over the last few years I have had interest in the story of Spartacus. Despite that interest I hadn't seen the Oscar winning film with Kirk Douglas until recently. This epic film follows the story of a slave named Spartacus until his death in 71 BC. Spartacus is taken as a slave at the age of 13, he later becomes a gladiator for Lentulus Batiatus played by Peter Ustinov who won an Oscar for supporting actor. Spartacus ends up leading a revolt against Rome. The movie, almost 55 years old still holds up, especially when considering the making of this film was done with real sets and special effects. Initially budgeted at 5 million dollars it ran over to 12 million dollars, all funded by Kirk Douglas. The film made millions, maintaining the highest grossing film for the studio for many years.

www.thevirtualpew.comWhat was done for 12 million dollars is astounding by today's standards. While the film is dated, the direction by Stanley Kubrick is brilliant, although the final print was something Kubrick was not so favorable of.  The all-star cast features the likes of Tony Curtis, Kirk Douglas and Peter Ustinov as mentioned above along with Jean Simmons as Spartacus love interest Varinia and Laurence Olivier. I watched the 50th Anniversary edition on Blu-ray and was shocked and pleasantly surprised at the quality of transfer of picture and the quality of the sound. The transfer and restoration of the film was pushed and headed up by Steven Spielberg with the blessings of Kubrick. While over 3 1/2 hours in length, the movie flows nicely and the cinematography, which also won an Oscar, is stunning. While the film was initially blacklisted for political reasons, President John Kennedy crossed the picket lines to bring the film to national prevalence. 

The irony of this particular review is that it is a part of the Lenten Series Reviews for Hollywood Jesus. While looking at it's placement, during Holy Week, I couldn't help but notice the similarities to not only how the movie was made but the content and story of the movie in regards to the world situations that seem to constantly exist and the need of so many who feel oppressed, abused and used by a system who doesn't appreciate or take seriously the potential and importance of the people around them. It is likely one of the reasons the movie got into so much trouble when made. There were Communist threats and the world was in the middle of the Cold War. There were clear distinctions between the wealthy and clear evidence of the power of the political elite. The savior, for that system was Spartacus, based on a historical character who had gone from freedom to slavery to gladiator to attempted liberator. Spartacus realized, that when some profit off of the experiences of the least of these, including slavery or a form of servitude including the abuse of the poor for the gain of the wealthy and politically powerful, there is a problem.

www.thevirtualpew.comThe movie Spartacus had clear intent in its making to show the power of Christianity as well as the references to the cross and crucifixion, even going so far as in the opening voice over stating that Christianity would be the eventual fall of Rome. While we don't see the primary characters as adhering to any particular religious belief system, we do see them praying, recognizing not just the power of God's but of a God. We also see the conditions which made it right for the eventual coming and birth of Jesus. We also see a great deal of imagery that focuses on the willingness of one to live out their convictions, dedicated to not only serving the least of these, but also having the least of these become disciples of a leader. 

www.mosaicwichita.comSpartacus is not presented as a god, although many saw him as a god. We see him as a "simple man willing to serve thousands and the day he would die, thousands would not only be willing to die for him," many would die for him. In the oppression of Rome, Spartacus realizes, "death is the only freedom a slave knows and to die is gain."  We see Spartacus towards the conclusion of the film willing to give himself up on the cross to prevent a man many say in the book by Howard Fast and in subsequent other versions of the story was a gay man from enduring the pain of the cross. While the character, Antoninus,  played by Tony Curtis here only hints at his homosexuality, there is still a clear willingness for Spartacus, the Messiah Figure to offer his life to prevent the ongoing pain and agony of the cross for Antoninus. We also see that character, like so many others, willing to give their life for Spartacus because while he may not have liberated their bodies from Rome, he has liberated their souls. We see a concept presenting the power of hope when Spartacus says; "When one man says no, wrong begins to fear." There is power among the people especially those who have been hurt, abused and enslaved. We see that power towards the end of the film as Rome is seeking to single out and make an example of Spartacus. Rome has won the final battle against the rebel forces. The movies infamous line comes about as each of  Spartacus soldiers, stands up, one by one, yelling out as they have been asked by Rome for Spartacus to volunteer himself for certain crucifixion to save the lives of the rebels who will become slaves, "I am Spartacus!"  In their willingness to stand up, they are showing they are willing to give their lives up for this man, Spartacus. 

www.thevirtualpew.comAs I watched the dramatic presentation of Spartacus, during this Lenten season, I couldn't help but think of the obvious comparisons between the character of Spartacus, and the willingness of his followers to follow him, and my own willingness to follow Jesus. Am I willing to surrender all, even if need be, to the point of death? While the cross is not as pointed and brutal as we see in the movie of The Passion of the Christ, we still see the horror of the cross as it existed in the Roman Empire. People were executed by the thousands in what is thought by many to be the most brutal form of execution ever. Yet we still see the love Spartacus has for others in his willingness to take up the cross so those he loves doesn't have to suffer it. I was reminded of the Biblical concept, that no greater love has any of us than our own willingness to lay down our life for a friend. 

I really like the story of Spartacus, that said, this 3 1/2 hour epic really does little justice to the story and complexity of the character of Spartacus, the time he lived and the people around him. It, isn't to say this isn't a great movie, it deserves all of the acclaim it has garnished over its 50+ years, but the character and the story is much more complex than even a 3 1/2 hour film can present. While the 1960 film touches on much of the sexual oppression and abuse during the time, due to the time the film was made, the late 1950's, many things were glossed over. These things are a critical component in the times of the story and the environment it took place. Knowing these things adds to the power of the story and in its lead character we see a simple man, holding true to his values where others can glean from and follow in a sacrificial way. Spartacus is willing to sacrifice for the multitudes.

www.mosaicwichita.comAs we celebrate the Easter season, let's remember that a more complete and perfect sacrifice was offered that allows us to follow not just a simple man but a God who provides eternal life.  While on this earth Christ calls us to love our fellow human, to stand up for them, despite their sexuality, income, country of origin, color of their skin, whatever. We are called to love just like Christ loved, whosoever.  We can sacrificially display that true freedom comes from within, it is available to all people and comes through Christ. Spartacus is a wonderful reminder during Lent, the sacrifices are worth it. In those sacrifices we discover, real freedom despite our circumstances, a freedom that comes from a servant leader, whose life we celebrate that ended on the cross, Jesus.  Thankfully Jesus story doesn't end at the cross though, but through his resurrection. It is that resurrection that gives the eternal hope of a bright and glorious future.

To see the original trailer for the movie, click on the video below, if the video doesn't appear, click on the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcIMY1Ah3aw


The Virtual Pew and our other work is supported solely by the kind contributions of others. You can click on the donate button below to give any amount to this work that does so much more than just post articles on the net; I draw no ongoing salary from the church I pastor, Mosaic Wichita which is predominantly a homeless church; I am grateful for any small amount you can contribute to help with this ministry.  Believe me there is much more going on than most realize. I will also provide information to verify the ministry and income that comes into this ministry and work.  Thanks and feel free to share any material from The Virtual Pew, I only ask that appropriate credit is given and a link to the original site with the materials provided.


Click here to read about, and order the book, The Keystone Kid 

http://www.mosaicwichita.com/#!store
Click here to visit the web page The Virtual Pew

Click here to follow The Virtual Pew on Twitter

Mike Furches on Faceboook.

Click here to visit Mosaic Church where Mike is Pastor

The Keystone Kid/Virtual Pew Message Boards

Click to subscribe to my blog

There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/.

Hopefully you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word. Here is our contact information

The Virtual Pew
1249 N. St. Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214
Email: mike@furches.org

Click on the following links to learn more about The Virtual Pew

Donations to The Virtual Pew

The Virtual Pew Blog

Personal Furches Web Site

Hollywood Jesus

Reviews With Mike

The Virtual Pew Sermons

The Virtual Pew News


Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Movies for Lent, Schindler's List

www.mosaicwichita.com
As I was growing up I never really thought about the concepts of Lent as it was a Christian tradition for many that was unique to what little I understood about church. As I got older and became active in church it was something not typically practiced in the churches I attended. In my late 30's and early 40's I started looking at concepts of faith practiced by many, including Lent. As I became aware of the Lenten practices leading up to Easter Sunday I would give up something in my life to help me in my walk with God. As I gave up something of meaning it helped me to rely more on prayer and God. The concept of sacrifice and offering of something in my life became a key concept of my regular prayer and fasting, not just at Easter but throughout the year. I can think of few movies that emphasized the concepts of sacrifice more than the wonderful landmark film by Steven Spielberg, Schindler's List.

Schindler's List is the powerful biopic and Oscar Winning 1993 film that follows the life of Oskar Schindler during World War 2.  Schindler a Nazi sympathizer and wealthy businessman becomes aware of the atrocities against the Jewish people while in Poland. During an epiphany moment for Schindler he decides to do all he can to save as many Jewish people as he can from the atrocities they experience during the Nazi regime. He makes sacrifices in all aspects of his life by giving away virtually all of his wealth to purchase the lives of Jewish people to work in his factory saving them from the various methods of death they would likely face in the German Concentration Camps. Schindler saved over 1,000 Jews and lost virtually all of his fortune as a result. The movie shows the consequences of his sacrifices. The movie, an American Classic won 7 Oscars including awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Writing, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design and Best Actor in a Leading, and Supporting Role.

www.thevirtualpew.comTechnically, this work is brilliant. Filmed in black and white Spielberg known largely at the time as a 
Director of fluff entertainment, albeit great fluff entertainment took the serious story of Schindler and made it entertaining, yet powerful. Despite the serious subject matter, this film flows quickly and seems to be much shorter than its 3+ hours and leading actor Liam Neeson is brilliant along with costars Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes and others. The real star though, is Spielberg in his direction and ability to tell a heart wrenching, compelling story based on the real Oskar Schindler.

This movie challenged me to contemplate my own willingness to sacrifice for the hurting, the abused and those in need. Few movies have likely ever moved the audience to contemplate their own sacrifice to help people in need. We are moved after seeing this portrayed in such a powerful way and then towards the end of the film seeing the attitude of Schindler in realizing that in his incredible sacrifices, he sees only how he could have done more by selling this car, or this or that, if he would have only made more money he could have saved more people. Schindler was aware not of what he had done but what more he could have done.

As followers of Jesus we often make excuses to ignore the pains and realities of others around us, we especially notice this when we ourselves are going through difficulties and there are few around us who seem to care. While the pain those Schindler helped was as deep as any pain one can experience, the pain we so often feel is none the less our experience, hurts, needs and pain. The need to help others is exemplified throughout the the Bible, unfortunately, sometimes we need reminders, from real people, examples, even sometimes a movie that presents the lives of other people like Oskar Schindler. 

www.mosaicwichita.comThere are many moving pictures but this Lent season, for reminder of what it means to sacrifice, have a right spirit in that sacrifice and the importance of loving and caring for others, few movies present this as brilliantly as this Spielberg classic. Of course one of the beautiful things we also see is one we may or may not see the appreciation of those who are helped. While we may not know the impact of the sacrifices we make, others will still be touched and helped. 

When Jesus was asked about entering the Kingdom of Heaven, He spoke of the importance of loving God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and in that process the importance of loving our neighbor as ourselves. We are also told, of all the commandments, there are none greater than these two, because when we keep these two, we have kept them all. In the process of loving our neighbor, Spielberg presents Schindler as among those in history who can inspire like few others. For those observing Lent, realize that among the best ways to show God you love Him is by the way we love others. That love when made with sacrifice is a love that will have an impact on not just those we are helping, but those looking in at our lives and examples.


To see the trailer for Schindler's List, click on the video below, if the video doesn't appear, click on the following link:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwfIf1WMhgc




The Virtual Pew and our other work is supported solely by the kind contributions of others. You can click on the donate button below to give any amount to this work that does so much more than just post articles on the net; I draw no ongoing salary from the church I pastor, Mosaic Wichita which is predominantly a homeless church; I am grateful for any small amount you can contribute to help with this ministry.  Believe me there is much more going on than most realize. I will also provide information to verify the ministry and income that comes into this ministry and work.  Thanks and feel free to share any material from The Virtual Pew, I only ask that appropriate credit is given and a link to the original site with the materials provided.


Click here to read about, and order the book, The Keystone Kid 

http://www.mosaicwichita.com/#!store
Click here to visit the web page The Virtual Pew

Click here to follow The Virtual Pew on Twitter

Mike Furches on Faceboook.

Click here to visit Mosaic Church where Mike is Pastor

The Keystone Kid/Virtual Pew Message Boards

Click to subscribe to my blog

There are hundreds of postings so make sure to check out the archives. You can also contact me for a free audio book link of The Keystone Kid at mike@furches.org You can visit http://www.thevirtualpew.com/.

Hopefully you will consider a gift to The Virtual Pew.

Now I get asked this quite often, Can we repost your blogs or articles? The short answer to that is, what an honor that you would ask, and by all means, spread the word. Here is our contact information

The Virtual Pew
1249 N. St. Francis
Wichita Kansas, 67214
Email: mike@furches.org

Click on the following links to learn more about The Virtual Pew

Donations to The Virtual Pew

The Virtual Pew Blog

Personal Furches Web Site

Hollywood Jesus

Reviews With Mike

The Virtual Pew Sermons

The Virtual Pew News