Movies, Videos, DVDs

Richard Rohr suggests some moviies, videos, and DVDs that might prompt good discussion about male issues:

All my Sons(1948) -- a son returns from war and is disillusioned with his father's lack of honor.
Angela's Ashes(1999) -- the burden of a son with an uninvolved, passive, alcoholic father.
The Bicycle Thief(1949) -- all time Italian classic, a father and son relationship
The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez (1949) -- one man's courage and suffering.
Boyz N the Hood (1991) -- the consequences of young black men without fathers
The Burmese Harp (1956) -Haunting Japanese journey of a man, good spirituality and anti-war.
The Champ (1979) -- first class tear jerker of a young boy who adores his weak father.
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (several versions) -- Tennessee William' psychological classic.
Central Station (1998) -- Brazilian movie of a little boy's journey to find his father.
Chariots of Fire (1981) -- men of dignity and faith.  English athletes.
The Chosen (1978) -- Chaim Potok's lovely story of sons wanting their dad's attention.
Cinema Paradiso (1989)  -- Charming, Oscar winning story of a boy, sex, religion, and movies.
City Slickers (1991) -- New Yorkers come to Ghost Ranch to find their manhood!!
Cool Hand Luke (1967) -- One man's unbreakable spirit.  Paul Newman.
DA (1988) -- an Irish father and son story.
Dad (1989) -- Successful man tries to reconnect with his Dad at the end. A "wonderful weeper"
Dances with Wolves (1990) -- All four male archetypes were consciously used . Kevin Costner
Das Boot (1991) -- German classic of men in submarines, men together in death and fear.
Dead Poet's Society (1989) -- Young men's need for father figures and inspiration, RobinWilliams.
Death of a Salesman (1985) -- An aging man facing the futility of his life.
The Deerhunter (1978) -- Heroism and friendship among working class American young men.
Diner (1982) -Coming of age in the late 1950's.  Bittersweet, sensitive drama.
East of Eden (1955) -- A modern retelling of the rivalry of Cain and Able for their father's love.
Equus (1977) -- a psychological study of a boy seeking his masculinity in a horse. Richard Burton
E.T. (1982) -- the young boy's need for wonder, otherness, mystery, adventure, bigger worlds.
Fathers and Sons (1992) -- an almost mystical quality to a relationship between the two men.
Field of Dreams (1989) -- A must see movie of male energy, vision, and love. Baseball imagery.
The Fisher King (1991) -- A partial retelling of the classic Grail legend.  Mixed quality.
The Full Monty (1996) -- A comedy of men seeking respect and success at all costs.  Clever.
Gallipoli (1981) -- The Australian classic about young men as cannon fodder for war.
Gandhi (1982) -- Brilliant film biography of a "great soul", a truly evolved man. Ben Kingsley
Geronimo, An American Legend (1994)-- another well done film biography of a man of courage
Getting Even with Dad (1994) -- A comedy about a son wanting to bond with his criminal father.
Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939) -- A classic story of a man as mentor and teacher.
Gospel According to St. Matthew (1964) -- Italian study of Jesus as prophet and social critic.
The Grapes of Wrath (1940) -- John Steinbeck's novel of men and families at the bottom.
The Great Gatsby (1974) -- And this F. Scott Fitzgerald novel about men at the top.
The Great Santini (1980) -- When the father is a tyrant and how the son suffers.  Good.
The Green Mile (1999) -- Lots of good male themes:  injustice, racism, redemption, mysticism.
Harry and Son (1984)  -- Superb character study with Paul Newman and Robby Benson.
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (1968) -- a sensitive and compassionate male is presented well.
Homer and Eddie (1989)  -- A retarded boy's love for his rejecting father.  John Belushi stars.
The Hoodlum Priest (1961) -- Mentoring and fathering themes well done for the time.
Hoop Dreams (1994) -- The sports culture, ambition and identity, in the lives of young men.
I Live with me Dad (1985) -- An Australian movie of a boy who they try to take from his father.
I Never Sang for my Father (1970) -- A sad, superbly acted movie of a man and his older father.
Ikiru (1952) -- A Japanese "everyman" finds life at the end of his life.  An emotional wallop.
In and Out (1997) -- A Kevin Kline comedy about sexual identity that reveals a lot of the issues.
In His Father's Shoes (1997) -- A  black boy gets to experience what it was like for his dad.
In the Name of the Father (1993) -- True Irish story of a father and son in prison together.
Into The Wild - Use Into The Wild in your small men's group
Indiana Jones movies (1980's) -- Fun, and based on classic mythology and male adventures.
The Island (1962)Japanese wordless movie that I have never forgotten about the human struggle.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946) -- The classic, most beloved movie!   Says it all.
Jeremiah Johnson (1972) -- Man in nature, surviving and finding his humanity.  Robert Redford.
Jerry Maguire (1996) -- "Show me the money" man discovers quality over quantity. Tom Cruise.
Joseph (1995) -A better than usual telling of the Genesis story. Father&brother relationships.
Karate Kid series (1980's) -- Great telling of a boy and a mentor relation. Everybody loves these.
The Killing Fields (1984) -An unforgettable war movie and story of true male friendship.
King David (1985)-- Good presentation of David, the whole man of the Hebrew Scriptures.
Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985)-Powerful story of love between a gay and a straight man.
Last Temptation of Christ (1988) -Great initiation scene of Jesus, other moments of brilliance.
The Wounded Man (1988) -Heavy French movie of gay male desire.
Lies My Father Told me (1975) -Jewish story of family, tradition, and love. Grandfather power.
Life is Beautiful (1998) -Lengths that a father will go to protect his son. Daring and lovely.
Life With Father (1947) -A classic and a delight. William Powell
The Lion King (1994) -All four male archetypes were consciously used in this Disney favorite.
Little Buddha (1994) -The first half is the story of Siddharta's transformation into Buddha.
Little Men (1998) -The trials and tribulations of growing up in a boy's home. From the book.
Looking for Mr.Goodbar (1977) -The tragic effects of sick fathering and sick religion for girls.
Lord of the Flies (1963 &1989) -What happens to boys when outside of society. A classic.
A Man Called Horse (1970) -Powerful images of Native Americans and finding one's manhood.
Man for All Seasons - Best picture of 1966. St. Thomas More & good character development.
A Man of Passion (1989) - A boy coming of age story, learning of sex and life from grandfather.
The Man without a Face (1993) -Old man's suffering and young boy's suffering touch and heal.
Mandela and DeKlerk -(1997) How one evolved man can make a difference. Made for TV
Mass Appeal (1984) -Intelligent Catholic dialogue on issues of conscience. Old & young priest
Maurice (1987) -E.M.Forster's autobiographical story of male love and desire.
The Men (1950) -A man trying to deal with war injuries.  Made Marlon Brando famous.
Men in Love (1990) -Sensitive story of gay men and AIDS.
Midnight Cowboy (1969) -A breakthrough movie of male sexuality and friendship.
Midnight Express (1978) -A movie that shakes you up, male survival and testing.
The Mission (1986) -Church politics, men of violence and men of non-violence.  Brilliant.
Mr. Holland's Opus (1995) -Feel good movie of music teacher and students. Richard Dreyfuss
Monsieur Vincent (1949) -Beautiful telling of life of St. Vincent de Paul. Academy Award!
Monsignor Quixote (1985) -Priest and communist set out to reform the church!
My Dinner with Andre (1981) Two men talking and it does not get boring! An amazing movie.
My Left Foot (1989) -Award winning true story of man living with handicaps.
My Own Private Idaho (1990) -Daring movie of males on vision quest. Moving, bittersweet.
Never Cry Wolf (1983) -Man living in nature and learning from it.  Beautiful in many ways.
Object of My Affection (1989) -Intelligent portrayal of the vagaries of sexual identity.
The Odyssey (1997)  - Good enough portrayal of Homer's classic male epic.
Our Sons (1991) Sensitive portrayal of a mother's attempt to deal with a gay son. Julie Andrews
Padre Padrone (1977) - Italian story of tragic father-son relationship in a patriarchal society.
Paris is Burning (1990) - How poor gay men of color survive. Documentary style.
Philadelphia (1993) -Oscar winning portrayal of men with AIDS.  Tom Hanks.
Pinocchio (1940) -Much more than a children's story.  Watch it for male themes.
Il Postino (1994) -Italian award winning movie of a simple man becoming aware and alive.
Priest (1994) -All the classic themes of being a celibate priest today.  Good conclusion.
Prince of Egypt (1998) -Disney animation of Moses and the Exodus.  Some powerful scenes.
Pumping Iron (1977) -Very good documentary of males and the cult of the body.
Rain Man (1988) -Two very different brothers, and again Tom Cruise grows up!
Rebel Without a Cause (1955) -The classic on male juvenile delinquency.  James Dean's hit.
The Red Badge of Courage (1951) -Male initiation through war. Audie Murphy
The Return of Martin Guerre (1982) -True story of loss of identity as a man.  Brilliant.
Rites of Passage (1999) - Father and sons meet two convicts in a mountain cabin.
A River Runs Through it (1992) -Beautiful male coming of age story. Lovely baptismal imagery
Rocky (1976) -Better than you might remember.  Some powerful and good male instincts.
Roger & Me (1989) -A daring film about men without jobs.  Strong social justice documentary.
Romero (1989) -See character development of saintly Oscar Romero. Powerful social message.
Rudy (1993) -True story of a young man who sets a goal for himself and pursues it. Great movie!
Saint Maybe (1998) -A self centered college student becomes a loving parent. TV special.
The Saint of Fort Washington (1993) -Two homeless men surviving in New York.
Sam's Son (1984) -Michael Landon's true story of a son lending a hand to help his parents.
Saving Grace (1986) -Pope sneaks out of the Vatican to learn how to be an ordinary man.
A Separate Peace (1972) -Well written story of a young man's entrance into adult emotions.
Seven Years in Tibet (1997) -True story of Heinrich Harrer's relationship with the Dalai Lama.
Shaking the Tree (1992) -Male Bonding Film, guys moving from boys to men.
Shawshank Redemption (1994) -Thoroughly rewarding film of men, jail, friendship, freedom.
Sommersby (1993) -Beautiful story of full manhood, growth, honor. Highly recommended.
South Central (1992) -hard hitting story of a father's attempts to keep his son out of gangs.
Stand and Deliver (1988) -A successful Hispanic man gives up a career to help the boys. True.
Stand by Me (1986) -Young boys ascending to manhood through tragedy.  Stephen King novel.
Star Wars (1977) -classic mythological themes: young hero/"Skywalker", dark father, the Force.
The Thin Red Line (1998) -A young soldier reflects mystically on nature and war.
This Boy's Life (1993) -Hard-hitting tragic relationship with a father, Robert de Niro
Trainspotting (1996) -Scottish young men creating their own tragic initiation rites.
Tribute (1980) -A dying man, Jack Lemmon, decides he needs to make peace with his son.
Twelve Monkeys (1995) - Heroic men coming back from the future to save us now.  Good.
What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1994) -Lovely story of a young man's family dedication. J. Depp
White Men Can't Jump (1992) -Clever, entertaining, good male energy. Wesley Snipes
The Young Lions (1958) -A young German soldier questions his beliefs.  Marlon Brando