This is probably the best film about Jesus Christ ! ! !

Il Vangelo secondo Matteo (1964) directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini

As Pasolini was raised according to principles of Christian faith,he some felt it necessary to offer his artistic contribution to his faith by making an honest film about Jesus Christ.The making of "Gospel according to Saint Matthew" was a huge moral task for Pasolini as he was always disregarded by the people of his times because of his sexual and political lifestyle.The fact that his version is far superior than those of Martin Scorcese and Mel Gibson makes us to believe that Cinéaste Pasolini had tactfully settled artistic scores with all of his detractors.The sad thing is that there is not much written about this film. Much of this film's brilliance comes in the form of Tonino Delli Colli's camera catching just expressions on the faces of innocent,non professional players.Although miracles have been shown but they do not resemble cheap special effects.This is something which separates this Pasolini film from cheap gimmicks initiated by Lars Von Trier in his dogma films.A sense of family is also achieved by Pasolini when he cast his mother as Mary.

Revenge follows when innocence is destroyed.

Jungfrukällan (1960) directed by Ingmar Bergman

This film is nicely etched in my memory as it has given a new meaning to human feelings.Although it is a great Christian parable,the issues of human behavior,wisdom and responsibility have not at all been sidelined by Bergman.To quote some examples : how would a man react if his "apple of his eyes" daughter is wantonly raped by some miscreants. In most of the cases revenge is the most probable expected outcome.So the devout Christian father depicted in the film is persuaded to carry out savage killings.These killings cannot be justified but no one would want to leave killers go unpunished and commit other crimes if they have harmed someone's close family member.There is even pardon too as a plea is made to spare a young boy's life.In this film the depiction of a staunch Jesus Christ loving family is top notch.Good too are the scenes of medieval village life where families lived together mutually sharing all their joys and sorrows.Virgin Spring will surely appeal to you if you have a penchant for religious films.