Throwing the bible on the shelf with other religious books at the end. What the book of eli tells us about religion youtube. I do not claim any ownership rights to the soundtracks or images presented in this video. Hannahs eventual child, samuel, was raised by eli in the tabernacle. But denzel washingtons latest film, the book of eli unapologetically confronts issues of faith, sacrifice, and, most notably, the bible. Described as a warrior by necessity, eli seeks peace. The book of eli is a wellcrafted film with stunning cinematography, a haunting score, and moving performances from the ensemble cast.
Washington plays eli, a laconic man journeying westward across america to carry a sacred book. Christian themes abound in book of eli joshua hale. Eli has a book which is discovered as the bible and he is trying to deliver it to a location he doesnt specify. When hannah came to shiloh to pray for a son, eli initially accused her of drunkenness, but when she protested her innocence, eli wished her well. I highly recommend the book of eli, starring denzel washington no, it is not technically a christian movie by any means but the bible and god play a major role in the movie. All of these theatrical elements come together to tell a refreshing story of unwavering faith and obedience to god. America has suffered a catastrophic destruction and civilization and law have disappeared. The book of eli stars denzel washington in a postapocalyptic thriller set 30 years after a final war has turned much of earth into an ashy wasteland. Numerous religions are practiced in society as they are protected under.
The book of eli continues hollywoods obsession with postapocalyptic tales, and in many ways feels like it belongs in the same world as the road. It shows the theme of gods supernatural power and divine providence all the much more. If someone does not understand or accept the significance of the bible as the inspired word of god, then he or she will find the premise of the movie to be rather absurd. The book of eli casts bible as a major theme baptist.
Hestitantly, i entered the theater, hoping that the movie did not, like most movies, make christians out to be weak, annoying. The book of eli is not only a welldone action picture but an overtly, unabashedly christian one in which denzel washington plays a soldier of god. However in the book of eli, the hughes brothers take a jump to a different part of modern society. So i went out with my bf last friday to watch book of eli. The book of eli continues hollywoods obsession with postapocalyptic tales, and in many ways feels like it belongs in the same world as the road with its ashladen wastelands and crazed cannibals. This disney classic is filled with many christian themes. It also, rather startlingly, has an overt, fairly profound christian theme.
The story revolves around eli, a nomad in a postapocalyptic world, who is told by a voice to deliver his copy of a mysterious book. At first glance, the book of eli appears to be just another violent postapocalyptic film from hollywood. Jesus and the book of eli part 1 worldviews, worship. It grips your attention, and then at the end throws in several wtf. Books like the city of ember and the road, while they may acknowledge a dim sense of spirituality or hope, generally steer clear of explicit christian references. Oscar winner denzel washington, a professing christian, was initially intrigued by the journey his character, eli, is on as he seeks to fulfill the. Although the book of eli, seemingly has a litany of christian themes and motifs there are tons of subtle motifs that can be traced to any of the monotheistic religions. As postapocalyptic movie fiction goes, the book of eli is not a crowdpleaser like the mad max series nor silly like any of the planet of the apes films. It is interesting to see a movie that is not a christian film centered on the bible. The book of eli is a strange mix of postapocalyptic violence, strong spirituality, and some of the best and worst that hollywood has to offer.
Washington, a twotime academy award winner widely known in hollywood for his christian beliefs, portrays a lone warrior making his way across a desolate american landscape defending the worlds last remaining copy of. Only a christian flick to dogmatic believers, says the films codirector allen hughes. The film takes place 30 years after a nuclear war and follows a man named eli denzell. Denzel washington especially brings the amazing character of eli to life with his passionate performance. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. For a product of hollywood, im surprised that it had some great christian themes. Book of eli delivers god, guns, and guts but theres more violence than values.
Its brutal content is not for all tastes, but this thoughtful action movie finds denzel washington protecting the last copy of a very. Devout filmgoers will soon realize that the brand of christianity on display in eli is as warped as they come. Strewn with christian themes of protecting gods word from attack and from manipulation at the hands of big brother, the book of eli is set in the postapocalyptic wasteland that was once. The book of eli is not so much about the book he carries but about restoration of the soul. Eli came out in 2010, just a year after the road starring vigo mortensen. Hollywood seems obsessed with the end of the world. There are a number of clear biblical or moral themes in this movie, and. Doesnt have a hair on his head, serves as carnieges right hand man and is implied to lust after solara brains and brawn. But there are so many themes in it that just excite me as a christian especially the fact that the story seems impossible. But to understand this perspective you have to abandon the way most read the bible, as a constitution of laws, and read it. That question and the film illustrates the ambiguity of the concept of christian anything.
Whatever you bring to it, thats what youre going to come out of it with. It was either that or legion ironically both have something to do with religion lol. Christianity and the book of eli believe it or not. Religion ended the world it was hinted that the war, that probably was nuclear, could be based on religious differences or religion can save the world. Eli was, according to the books of samuel, a high priest of shiloh. The book of eli is rated r for adult content, profanity, images of rape, and excessive violence. The main character, eli, frequently protects the bible with his life, reads from it day and night, and hides its words in his heart and mind. The story revolves around eli, a nomad in a postapocalyptic world, who is told by a voice to deliver his copy of a. Dystopian analysis the book of eli is about a postapocalyptic dystopian reality that the protagonist eli is attempting to survive in.
Simba, the protagonist of the animated feature is like moses or elijah coming out of the wilderness to defeat evil and free. Washington, a twotime academy award winner widely known in hollywood for his christian beliefs, portrays a lone warrior making his way. Carneiges chief advisor and enforcer, and a fairly competent one. However, i did feel like they were going for the ot prophet type for eli, so it kind of made sense. Eli is a hebrew name and at the end of the movie eli is.
Washington, a twotime academy award winner widely known in hollywood for his christian. Not saying that the movie was bad or anything but i left the theater wondering what the hell was the point of the movie. I felt inspired by this movie and my faith was strengthened. Its the most violent movie on our list, but one of the most religious ones, too. The book of eli casts bible as a major theme baptist standard. Book of eli paper the film the book of eli directed by the hughes brothers is a cinematic display of dystopian genius.
Denzel washington is a man on a mission in the book of eli. What the hell was the theme of the movie book of eli. Many dystopian films critique government involvement, privacy issues, and ethical concerns. I was most curious to see this film because i heard it had christian themes and rarely do we see a big hollywood movie with christian themes. Mixed in with the violence and sepiatones is one giant religious symbol that we just had to quiz. But then he meets another girl and keeps her from getting raped mila kunis character. Anyway, i thought book of eli would be less scary so i went into the theater expecting something good. Now look, i get that the book of eli is a work of fiction.
The book of eli is screenwriter, gary whittas, take on a western samurai film. I highly recommend the book of eli, starring denzel. The book of eli stars denzel washington in a postapocalyptic thriller set 30. Hes on a divinelyinspired quest yes, a literal mission from god to take the book to the west as a swarm of wrongdoers led by gary oldman try to stop him. Positivethe book of eli is a good movienot a great one but its very good. If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the faq by clicking the link above. He lets eli go after eli survives the first gun battle scene.
Many have taken explicity prochristian themes from the film, but. The book of eli is a postapocalyptic vision of ametica somewhere late. As an anabaptist, i firmly believe that we are to render to no man evil for evil. However, carnegie ha killed many people in his pursuit for the book. Why is the religious themes of this movie bringing it so.
Im at a loss for words, so let me say these right away. This was by far one of the best movies of 2010, and it had a great message, that somehow most people miss. In the book of eli why did denzel washingtons character let a woman get raped and her father or husband get murdered. Christian themes abound in book of eli the tufts daily. Eli believes that god has enabled him to have the book for a good reason. Denzel washington protects the book of eli christian cinema. It was one of a spat of post apocalyptic dramas with washed out color and characters who care more about surviving to the end of the day than dental hygiene. A, m very strong christian worldview, including themes of sacrifice, where the. The book of eli original motion picture soundtrack atticus ross. Many have taken explicity pro christian themes from the film, but is it that simple. Jesus and the book of eli part 1 remember the book of eli. The book of eli is a 2010 american postapocalyptic neowestern action film directed by the hughes brothers, written by gary whitta, and starring denzel washington, gary oldman, mila kunis, ray stevenson, and jennifer beals. I was very conscious of the fact that, given some of the themes in the. Abp the bible plays a starring role in the book of eli, a postapocalyptic action film starring denzel washington that opens in theaters jan.
The worldview that is represented in this movie was that of a christian one because eli relied on god and his faith to lead him on his journey. Washington, a twotime academy award winner widely known in hollywood for his christian beliefs, portrays a lone warrior making his way across a desolate american landscape defending the worlds last remaining copy of the king. The hughes brothers book of eli isnt all postapocalyptic samurai sword action and ipods. But beyond the bloody scenes and foul language, audiences will discover a compelling story filled with more biblical references and christian thought than any other major motion picture in. The book of eli this weekend, i went to see the movie, the book of eli.
The book of eli certainly brings to mind that other monstrosity among american postapocalyptic films, i am legend, which also weds the genres conventions with religious nonsense. Another theme that washington particularly appreciated about the book of eli story was the alltooimportant reminder than even in gods work its important to do for others. Some of the criticism seems directly related to the films christian themes, and understandably so. And denzel washington isnt exactly kirk cameron, either.