IN THEORY: Which movies inspired your spirit?

The Alex Theatre tonight will host the annual 168 Film Festival, in which filmmakers receive a random Bible verse and 168 hours to create a short film based on it. Which movie has inspired you the most spiritually?

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Like countless others, I find great spiritual inspiration in Peter Jackson’s faithful adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” saga. Along with C.S. Lewis and other Christian contemporaries, Tolkien used his craft to communicate his faith. Tolkien wasn’t a fan of direct allegory, but his deeply felt Catholic Christian world view flowed out of his heart and into his work. Jackson and his team were true to the story and told it with brilliance.

We see Jesus Christ in Frodo, the Ring-bearer willing to give himself up for the world’s good. We see Jesus in Gandalf, the wizard who died while defeating his enemy and was again raised to life. We see Jesus in Aragorn, the king who returns to rule and is finally united with his bride.

We also see ourselves in the movies. Our new, Christ-created nature is represented by Sam, Frodo’s imperfect but ever-faithful servant, helper and companion. We see our darker side in Gollum, a necessity along for the journey but to the end treacherous and untrue.

Jesus used parables to communicate spiritual truth to the hearts of people who didn’t realize who He was. I don’t know that Peter Jackson had such intentions in making his films, but Tolkien’s strong message shines through with inspiration to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.

PASTOR JON BARTA

Valley Baptist Church

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“Les Miserables,” based on Victor Hugo’s classic, is the first film to profoundly inspire me. The rendition that touched me was the 1935 version, with Fredric March and Charles Laughton. Incredible acting! It reached out and pulled me into the story.

I remember my dad turning on our old black-and-white TV one day and directing me to watch this movie. I was 13 or 14 years old.

As I watched March’s portrayal of Jean Valjean, and Laughton’s relentless pursuit of him as Inspector Javert, it all came together for me. I understood the story as “timeless” because it spoke to me in the now. It brings together themes of justice, inequality, prejudice, compassion, love, sanctity and the unending struggle to pursue truth — themes that have been the driving force of my ministry.

Not surprisingly, it was the priest in the movie, Bishop Bienvenu, who inspired me to believe that the small gestures of compassion are what make the difference in the end. Those silver candlesticks are ones that I’ve cherished in my own life until today.

Since that first encounter with “Les Miserables,” I’ve read the book and seen other performances, both on-screen and in theaters. They’re all good, but the 1935 adaptation is still the one I recommend to others, especially to young seminarians and others interested in people work.

FR. VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

In His Shoes Mission

Armenian Church Youth Ministries Center

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I am a sucker for a movie that features a conversion experience. I don’t necessarily mean a religious conversion; I mean the “aha!” experience, or the “I get it now!” experience.

In “The Verdict,” Paul Newman plays a shyster interested only in making a big score to fatten his wallet. But he undergoes his “conversion” when he’s in a hospital room filled with people in comas; it’s as if he suddenly realizes that these incapacitated bodies are actually people, and the experience stops him in his tracks. He changes from a selfish person into a crusader who tries to fight the system (in this case, a big hospital) to get justice for his client.

Another movie I liked was “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” starring Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman. Freeman, an African American actor, plays a Muslim, and when a little white girl asks him if God painted him, Freeman’s character laughs, and says that maybe God did “paint” him. When the little girl asks why, Freeman’s character says, “Because Allah loves endless diversity.”

My sentiments exactly, and my denomination’s, too!

THE REV. C. L. “SKIP” LINDEMAN

La Cañada Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

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“The Ten Commandments” is my all-time fave, with Charlton Heston playing Moses. He leads the enslaved Israelites out of Egypt and turns them into the holy nation that God intended. It’s quite a film, and even though the movie takes liberties with some factual detail, overall it’s a faith-inspiring flick that I would recommend — especially at this time of Easter, when Jesus becomes synonymous with the sacrifice lamb of Passover.

Secondly, I like the film “Joseph,” with Ben Kingsley, Martin Landau and Lesley Ann Warren. I can’t say enough good about this tear-jerking movie of faithfulness and spiritual fidelity. I have watched it repeatedly. It gives the details leading up to “The Ten Commandments.”

Third might be “King David,” with Richard Gere. I love the portrayal of the prophet Samuel. He is strong, serious and faithful. He installed both the first and second king of Israel. He could be considered a king, but a spiritual one rather than civil. This story comes later in biblical history after “The Ten Commandments.”

At Eastertime I might suggest a fourth movie: “The Passion of the Christ.” Don’t fear: It’s a good flick with a happy ending (despite the realistic crud Jesus endures throughout). True stories are always best, and the above will feed your soul.

Read the Bible! It’s the only truly inspired script available.

THE REV. BRYAN GRIEM

Montrose Community Church

Conservative Congregational Christian Conference

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Over the years, I have viewed many movies that were produced by Hollywood and churches that have religious and spiritual themes. It’s hard to say that one inspired me the “most,” as many had inspirational messages. One that stands out is “Chariots of Fire,” which was based, in part, on the life of Eric Liddell and had, as its focal point, the 1924 Paris Olympics.

Liddell, a devout Christian, was confronted with the choice of running his best race, the 100 meters, on a Sunday, or to forgo that race (and two others) and run on another day in the 400 meters, a race he was not expected to win. Team and governmental officials all encouraged him to remember that he was also running for his country.

However, he chose to honor the Sabbath day in accordance with his Christian beliefs. A few days later, he won the 400 meters in record time. In his hand during that race was a scripture that read “For them that honour me I will honour” (1 Sam. 2:30).

One has to admire Liddell’s faith, commitment and courage, which was not only exhibited by him at the Olympics, but was a cornerstone for the rest of his life, much of which was spent as a missionary in China, where he died in a Japanese interment camp near the end of World War II. He was indeed a lifelong, faithful disciple of Christ.

BISHOP FRED L. CARPENTER

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

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I found a very inspirational message in “The Lion King.” I was moved by the theme that each of us must step forward to play the unique, vital roles given to us by the Almighty.

Remember when the young lion Simba is roaming around with his newfound friends, singing and dancing “Hakuna Matata” with not a worry in the world? Instead of acting like a king, this lion is prancing about ridiculously like he’s a warthog. When someone suggests that he is royalty and should behave accordingly, Simba replies, “I’m no king. I’m just like you.”

Sound familiar? How many times are we confronted in life with the sobering reality of responsibility only to respond, “It’s not my job”?

Simba’s friend, Nala, later tells him that their home has been destroyed and that he is their only hope. Only then does Simba assume the mantle of leadership and respond to the challenge. It took a grave emergency to break through his denial of reality.

When we fail to accept our special place in the “Circle of Life” and to embrace the roles that God has given us — whether it’s being a good father, a caring mother, an effective teacher or an honest politician — humanity as a whole loses.

Every one of us has responsibilities to others. False humility and willful ignorance help nobody when lives and futures are at stake. And most importantly, we should never wait for a catastrophic event to compel us to step forward to our rightful place.

We must continuously attend to our tasks in life so that whenever the need arises, we are well-positioned to respond.

RABBI SIMCHA BACKMAN

Chabad Jewish Center