The visual effects are stunning, the story line is rich, and the plot is full of twists and turns that are ultimately redemptive. I do not claim any ownership rights to the soundtracks or images presented in this video. America is a postapocalyptic wasteland and denzel washington is the only selfsufficient badass. Now, if you go looking your bible for the book of eli, you wont find. Anyway, i thought book of eli would be less scary so i went into the theater expecting something good. The book of eli is a film ruled by its religious conviction. Now look, i get that the book of eli is a work of fiction.
The original soundtrack and score for the motion picture the book of eli, was composed by atticus ross, who has worked with the hughes brothers on two previous occasions, as well as artists such as nine inch nails, korn, and janes addiction. But beyond the bloody scenes and foul language, audiences will discover a compelling story filled with more biblical references and christian. The book of eli original motion picture soundtrack atticus ross. The odyssey by homer, the babycatcher gate by wendy jo cerna, how to be good by nick hornby, lilah by ma. Lewis, the da vinci code by dan brown, the lion, the witch and the wardrobe by c. Unequivocally christian, writes the new york posts kyle smith. That question and the film illustrates the ambiguity of the concept of christian anything. Jan 24, 2010 this is mans punishment for eating of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. The book of eli publicity still there are a number of clear biblical or moral themes in this movie, and this is the first.
Worldview elements of film implications questions biblical parallels the priest eli solara as samuel catholic parallels modern day parallels westward movement american dream what is the place of religion in the life of the common person. What the hell was the theme of the movie book of eli. Eli does not notice the car with the skeleton until he hears the sound of rattling metal. 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. Eli has to feel the feet to see if there are boots on the skeleton. Feel the power in your hands with this massive the book of eli machete. Perhaps that plot is fuel for controversy, but the hughes brothers dont mind letting that one slip.
Now in my defense, there are films about religion andor faith that ive enjoyed immensely example. Books are scarce since apparently many people believed religion was the cause of the desolation, and so all religious books were destroyed. But then he meets another girl and keeps her from getting raped mila kunis character. The book of eli is an effective postapocalyptic action movie with elements from both comic books and westerns thrown in for good measure. It also, rather startlingly, has an overt, fairly profound christian theme. The lord calls samuel the boy samuel ministered before the lord under eli. Why is the religious themes of this movie bringing it so.
As far as the road is concerned, it is filled with spiritual themes. Hughes brothers talk religious controversy in the book of eli. Of course there is eli, he claims to have heard a voice during all this which leads him to a bible under a pile of rubble. In the postapocalyptic biblical thriller the book of eli, denzel washington plays a blind man who feels hes been called by god to carry the last remaining copy of the bible across the country. Christian themes abound in book of eli the tufts daily. With gripping immediacy, bill myers weaves a story whose truth will refresh your faith. Washington plays eli, a laconic man journeying westward across america to carry a sacred book to safety, hoping that it will restore mankind and bring a better future. Yes, to hear some people tell it, the machetewielding, steeltoed, grenadethrowing missionary denzel plays in the book of eli is allegedly a flagbearer for the christian right. First of all if you knew your bible you would know that eli is an actual character in the bible who was blind. For a product of hollywood, im surprised that it had some great christian themes to it.
Read denzel washington is a man on a mission in the book of eli and more of the latest on movies and films from a christian perspective. Mixed in with the violence and sepiatones is one giant religious symbol that we just had to quiz the brothers about in our exclusive interview. I saw the book of eli the other night, and ever since, ive been telling all my friends to drop what theyre doing and go see it before it leaves theaters. But the young mans actions and his criticism of the religious establishment earn him enemies as ruthless as they are powerful. Within the first ten minutes, eli dismembers, stabs, and decapitates six attacking thugs with his trusty machete and things only ratchet up from there. As recounted by carnegie and eli, bibles are scarce due to a largescale book burning after the falloutmany irrationally blamed christianity as a cause of the war. Eli, the main character, believes that his purpose on earth is to bring the bible out west and to protect it. Eli, reproduced in the preceding pages to this introduction, is a book of prophecy, written by the anonymous author eli. After having just caught the ending of the book of eli, which features strong performances from both denzel washington and gary oldman, i got thinking about the concept of god once again, and its influence on people. Denzel washington, one of hollywoods most successful and highly respected figures, stars in the book of eli, the story of a man of faith on a mission to protect the last copy of the bible. The book of eli is very compelling and aweinspiring, with excellent production standards as well as absorbing character portrayals by denzel washington and gary oldman. Denzel washingtons latest role in the book of eli has him playing a.
Eli is protecting a bible so that postapocalyptic dictators cant use it to control their people. An overlay of spiritual themes doesnt always work, but eli is that rare hollywood film that posits a christian man. True spirit filled christians will leave the theater filling empty and disappointed. The book of eli is a dystopian symbol for how organized religion is abused in modern society. Angela walker, director of producer relations for, wrote that she pondered the movies objectionable content for a month after seeing an advance screening before deciding the films spiritual themes were redeeming qualities. There are interesting themes at work in the book of eli. Spoilers every clue in the book of eli that explains the. That same industry also recognizes him as a family man of faith, who does.
The book of eli is a great religious film for religious people. 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. The contemporary film, the book of eli directed by albert and allen hughes, the internet movie database focuses on the protagonist and a violent thirty year quest through desert like wastelands of a cataclysmic war ravaged earth. Bishop barron will be commenting on subjects from modern day culture. America has suffered a catastrophic destruction and civilization and law have disappeared. For that matter, eli is something of a modernday elijah. Eli wears dark sunglasses, as blind people often do. They make everything in the entire movie impossible and incomprehensible but, hey, wtf. Eli continues to quote the bible many times in the. The ageold debate of god and religion is something i tend to think about a lot. Eli, who didnt hear god calling samuel, eventually realized the truth, and instructed samuel on how to respond. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of night and what it means. And denzel washington isnt exactly kirk cameron, either. The book of eli is not only a welldone action picture but an overtly, unabashedly christian one.
If you havent heard of it yet are interested then continue if you dont mind the plot being told though i recommend you see it first, good movie. The book of eli is screenwriter, gary whittas, take on a western samurai film. This was by far one of the best movies of 2010, and it had a great message, that somehow most people miss. How hollywood begat yet another insult to christianity. Bishop barron comments on the book of eli spoilers youtube. The book of eli is rated r for adult content, profanity, images of rape, and excessive violence. Religion is the main symbol through this entire movie. Its brutal content is not for all tastes, but this thoughtful action movie finds denzel washington protecting the last copy of a very. In this film, eli, the actor heads to the western part for reasons that are not known to the viewers until.
Denzel washington protects the book of eli christian cinema. Some of the below recommendations are books where religion pervades the plot, while others are books that merely have religious elements hinted at. Eli was the high priest kohen gadol of shiloh, the secondtolast israelite judge succeeded only by samuel before the rule of the kings of israel and judah. And its a foregone conclusion that religious trappings will continue to provide a colorful. It is the kind of thing that belongs in a christian book store in the mid 90s. Jan 15, 2010 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. What is the song at the end of the book of eli answers. Jan 16, 2010 likewise, the religious themes in avatar come across as rather goofy feelgood new ageism compared to the themes of faith, sacrifice, and suffering in eli. Christianity and the book of eli believe it or not.
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. Everybodys talking about what happens after the apocalypse these days. Sep 07, 2016 being a religious studies major has made me eager to pick up ya books that have religious themes or undertones to them, and see how they impact the larger narrative. But there are so many themes in it that just excite me as a christian especially the fact that the story seems impossible. Even though the premise of the movie is a manmade secular end of the world scenario, all of these symbols. In the book of eli why did denzel washingtons character let a woman get raped and her father or husband get murdered.
I did the research to try and figure out if i was being overly critical and should try to watch the rest, popular opinion, no. Mar 30, 2010 book of eli is a wake up call for originality in both secular and christian movies. The secret garden, by frances hodgson burnett plenty of kids, having read this classic book for the first time, will be happy to tell you the titular garden is supposed to be the garden of edenbut while there is a link, thats not the main religious theme hidden in the book. Some of the themes in night by elie wiesel include the struggle to maintain faith through suffering, the evil of humanity, the dangers of silence, and the importance of fatherson relationships. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. It shows the theme of gods supernatural power and divine providence all the much more. The book of eli is sort of the boiling point of this sciencefiction concept, a combination of last years the road and george millers the road warrior. Religion and language in contemporary film wikiversity. The book of eli was intense, and the plot was awesome. The hughes brothers book of eli isnt all postapocalyptic samurai sword action and ipods. This story of hannah, with which the books of samuel begin, involves eli.
Greed, selfishness, and overuse are hinted at along with religion s expressly, christianitys ability to teach. It tells the story of a mans faith as he honors the almighty god in his life and follows gods will no matter how challenging the life became. As john notle said over at big hollywood, eli in the end is a genre movie. One night eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place.
In the film washington is a wanderer transporting a bible in a post apocalyptic world. May 31, 2012 partly inspired by a recent interview with ross douthat, who argues in his new book, bad religion, that great art inspired by religion is vital to the culture, i asked times staffers and contributors to describe their favorite works of fiction that have prominent religious themes or settings. It grips your attention, and then at the end throws in several wtf. The book of eli this essay contains realistic related to the bible. These night themes will help you discuss the novel intelligently. Washington ranked by beliefnet as the second most powerful christian in hollywood behind mel gibson described the book of eli as both a story about faith and a story about good and evil with parallels to real life. Jan 11, 2010 the hughes brothers are happy to tell you that the book in the book of eli is the bible. So i went out with my bf last friday to watch book of eli. Eli bumps the car door with his bag to gauge exactly where it is. Jul 16, 2015 the religious themes of this classic novel are obvious the moment you think about it. The bible plays a starring role in the book of eli, a postapocalyptic action film starring denzel washington that opens in theaters jan. Yes, there were a half of a dozen redeemable kernels in the bag, but that did not make us feel any better about being mislead and rippedoff because wed like our money back. Jan 11, 2010 the movies hard edge may give some religious moviegoers pause. In the morning, carnegie overhears solara repeat the prayer to her mother, and realizes eli has the book he has been seeking a bible.
Mixed in with the violence and sepiatones is one giant religious symbol that we just had to quiz the. The book of eli is a story about a post nuclear fallout america where anarchy is the norm and survival is hardearned. Eli is a hebrew name and at the end of the movie eli is shown fully shaven and in a white robe this process actually completely mirrored an islamic. I am forbidden by the critics little rule book from naming the volume, but if youve made a guess after seeing numerous billboards stating religion is power, you may have guessed right.
Throughout the movie, eli dramatically quotes bible verses, like this. Carnegie needs eli because eli has maybe the last remaining copy of a book that eli believes will allow him to expand and rule many more towns. But there are so many themes in it that just excite me as a christianespecially the fact that the story seems impossible. Dec 05, 2011 now look, i get that the book of eli is a work of fiction. Were all a work in progress, he said in the trailer. The book of eli provokes thoughtful debate about the religious themes in the film, but the oldminus. I was very conscious of the fact that, given some of the themes in the. Plenty of blood and gore accompany all the killings. Eli s name, the acolyte, the protagonist ruler of the town, the last remaining bible as the.
After numerous requests for a larger size, we are proud to say this machete welded by denzel washington himself is 26 inch long and features a satin finish, extremely sharp, 18 inch blade. When samuel heard god speaking to him, he at first mistook god for eli. Jan, 2010 im at a loss for words, so let me say these right away. Here is the singable english translation of its lyrics. Why are you reject one persons opportunity to be saved only to choose another. The contemporary film, the book of eli directed by albert.
Many have taken explicity pro christian themes from the film, but is it that simple. So in the opinion of a secular critic such as myself, its hard not to consider elements of the film to be laughably ridiculous. The book of eli casts bible as a major theme baptist standard. Your thoughts on the movie if you have not yet seen the movie and dont want it to be spoilt for you then wait until you have seen it before you read any further. To find such themes in a coen film is itself a gift, almost a grace.
Hollywoods sporadic attempts to reach out to christian viewers with films like the blind side, the book of eli and soul surfer will continue. There are multiple themes present in elie wiesels book night including the struggle for eliezer to keep his faith in a kind god, the inhumane treatment of humans by humans and the silence found in the lack of response from the victims in the concentration camps and the lack of gods response to the atrocities. I grew up in a predominantly religious family, in that i grew up as part of a sikh family. Read it and weep denzel washington thumps his bible and slices through bad guys in this apocalyptic hughes brothers fable. We see elis faith remain steadfast as he faces many trials and. The book of eli has an incredible biblical message, which tells the. Eli, eli i pray that it never will end the sand and the sea and the waves breaking and sighing. Reading suggestions for religious fiction the new york times.
Many have taken explicity prochristian themes from the film, but. What the book of eli tells us about religion youtube. Elkanah also had another wife who bore him children. For instance, to protect themselves from the harsh sunlight, all the characters wear sunglasses or goggles, but rather than rendering them impersonal or distant, they only ramp up the movies cool factor. Eli and solara stumble upon these two in their travels, and both actors play their characters with energy and humor. Denzel washington is a man on a mission in the book of eli. Psalms and bible verses are quoted throughout the movie, and christian imagery and symbolism are present in many scenes.
Eli wanting to bring the message of the bible to somewhere it can be spread. 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. It was either that or legion ironically both have something to do with religion lol. 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. 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. Despite his extensive work in television and cinema, this marks ross debut into feature film scoring. Jan 19, 2015 the book of eli 2010 was an original script written by gary whitta. He is a religious man, regularly reading and praying from the book. Bishop barron comments on the book of eli spoilers bishop robert. Has anybody seen the film the book of eli starring denzel washington. As a book of interpretation, this book, also called the book of eli. I loved the part when gary said he needed the words of the book to rule over the other towns. There is also an oral tradition of eli, which i have on good authority, and which has helped guide me in the writing of this book. An intense and thoughtprovoking novel, eli strips away religious tradition to present jesus fresh and unvarnished.
The book of eli, which we will call eli, reproduced in the preceding pages to this introduction, is a book of prophecy, written by the anonymous author eli. Religious symbolism in the book of eli by stephen spencer. And yes it is christian, take a look at the world now. Something more than a message between the lines 27 jul i dont think its risky to say, if we confine ourselves to the most recent events, that the catholic church, the principle institution within the christian doctrine, is now living through one of the greatest crises it has experienced since its beginnings. Even better, through several memorable scenes, eli begins to show solara the power of the bible not as a tool for conquest, but as a handbook for living. The book of eli bts apocalyptic san francisco 2010 denzel washington, mila kunis movie hd duration.
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