Movie Trope: what are your favorite messianic archetype films?

A wonderful film with a wonderful soundtrack that makes it even better.

 

Much has been written on how Frodo is the Christ figure... Here is one wonderful in depth paper and example from Pacific University:

"There are many speculations on J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy as a religious allegory or of Gandalf, a wizard and one of the main characters, as the representation of Christ in the novel, however, this thesis will discuss explicitly the parallel between Frodo Baggins, the main character in the trilogy and Christ’s journey in The Bible as the more accurate Christ Figure in the novel. Reading Gandalf as the Christ Figure, or any other character, fails to recognize the implications of Frodo’s journey. Comparing the two characters shows how Frodo is the modern parallel to Christ in literature because of the incredible weight that his journey holds, the faith that others put in him, and the devastation that would directly result if he were to fail in his quest." http://commons.pacificu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1023&context=cashu

 

DeNiro played a Spanish slave trader, well connected, wearing the expensive armor of a Conquistador in the 18th century. He gets converted to Christ after killing his brother in a fight. He joins the local missionary (Irons) in helping the local Indians build up their village and improve their lives. Spain then cedes the area to the Portugese who attack the village looking for slaves. DeNiro, despite terrible odds, dons his armor one last time to lead the defense of the villagers into battle and dies a heroic, sacrificial death defending those he once exploited,

 

Wow, a 23 page dissertation on point! Thanks for the link.

 

That's not even the only parallel. J.C has a nickname "Strafer Jack" and is known as a "soldier's soldier", implying that he's not interested in advancing in rank and is more loyal towards his fellow soldiers than the leadership.

 

Another "JC" character, eh? Here's another that I've heard described as messianic, not sure I agree, haven't thought much on it yet.



James Cole, 12 Monkeys. Sorry, didn't realize the photo was so big.

 

Aslan (the Lion), in The Chronicles of Narnia series of books/movies.

 

Good one.

 

I never thought of that!

 

Also the first shot of Elias with the M60 carried across his shoulders gives the appearance of a cross.

 

The Arthurian Legend has its own place among major tropes. It's a meta-theme that is frequently used in films, with a good example being IJs' Last Crusade.

 

Watched T2 last night. Arnold's terminator fits the messianic mold. Great movie even with that trope. In the first Terminator, Kyle Reese plays that same type of role.

 

Alien 3's Ripley clearly fits the Archetype.



I seriously, seriously disliked Alien 3 when I saw it in the theater. It just turned everything around in the Alien movie sequence that I wanted to care about. But the Alien 3 Assembly Cut brought everything into focus. No longer was the movie some ununderstandable attempt to just finish off the Alien sequence somehow. Now the Assembly Cut showed that the film itself was the element of redemption, and that Ripley, through her chosen death, really was dying for the sins of others.

 

And in Alien 4 you could also argue she was resurrected (via cloning.)

 

Yeah, Alien 3 has the sacrifice for others scene, but no other elements of the trope that I can think of.

 

Not a favorite, but The Book of Eli fits into this thread in terms of subject matter and vibe.

 

Except that Professor Tolkien rather famously detested allegory.

 

Spot on. I’m not a fan either, but lots of allegory.

 

IIRC, there were supposed to be squibs, so that the audience would see the gunshot wounds. But they didn't go off due to a technical snafu. The shot was so complicated they didn't try a re-shoot.

 

Lets not forget the song he sings with the banjo as well.

 

That's what I thought as well. Could be that messianic tropes related to Frodo may have been unintentional on his part.

 

He left that to his friend and fellow Inkling C. S. Lewis.

 

Whose writing I can't stomach for that reason. Even if Tolkien was utilizing the messianic trope at least he did so with finesse.

 

I remember throwing The Magician's Nephew across the room when Aslan made that explicit. I felt deceived and cheated.