AlFabrizio This film is very well produced and acted. It's quite easy in fact to forget that these are actors and feel that you've been invited into the confines of the monastery and the experience of these cloistered monks. This is accomplished, in part, because of the heavy emphasis on the liturgical life of the monks. A deeply spiritual film, it is uncompromising in it's depiction of the life of a cloistered monk, putting the life of Catholic prayer and it's spiritual dimensions at center screen. The process that the monks go through as they deliberate the threat that they face is deeply informed by Christ and his passion. And while there is no way to really capture the inner reality of a group of eight men devoted entirely to God as they go through this traumatic time, I think the film does a great service to what happened (it is based on actual events). Despite having different motives, different levels of religious fervor and sometimes conflicting desires towards self-preservation, the focus on perseverance in service to the community (despite being cloistered Trappists, who take an oath of silence, and generally do not make an active ministry)is deeply humanizing. This is the kinds of film, I think that Western society needs and helps remind us, even as we slide ever more deeply into pointless self-interest, that our highest values and finest aspirations coalesce when we are centered in service to the one who made us.

Hitchcoc I was surprised to see that some of the reviewers bring their politics to criticize this film. One claims it is really left wing. Interesting, since the right seems to be the one with the most fanatical base. I am not a particularly religious person, but I have no trouble showing respect for those whose religion is based on service and compassion. These Trappist monks have a choice. To follow the teachings of their God or leave behind those who they have served and who depended on them. There is little discussion, despite terrorists sweeping through Algeria. There is great tension when the traditionally powerless are faced with the (and I use this term for effect) godlessness of the terrorists. These are good people who never expect anything from their neighbors, who are predominately Muslim. The down side of this movie is that we all know exactly how it is going to end. It is also rather dramatic in its portrayal. Closeup are a significant part of filmmaking but the contrived scene of "the last supper" (lower case for me) is a bit over the top. It was hard to put aside my own prejudices as I watched this.

l_rawjalaurence The plot is fairly straightforward: a group of monks in war-torn Algeria have to decide whether to leave - and thereby ensure their survival - or stay, as their way of life has been threatened by a group of insurgents. What gives Xavier Beauvois' film its extraordinary power is the way in which it shows how some human beings cannot be brow-beaten into doing anything they don't want to. The monks have nothing on their side except the power of prayer and an unshakable faith in God, but they make the best of these qualities to put up stern resistance. Compared to them, the insurgents are presented as unsubtle, believing as they do that the gun can persuade anyone to do anything. As the elected leader of the monks, Lambert Wilson's Christian is just brilliant; his expression seldom changes, but we understand the power of his resolve. The supporting performances are equally good, especially Jacques Herlin as Amédée, one of the oldest monks who doubles up as a doctor caring for members of the community around him. Director Beauvois makes subtle use of Gregorian chant to point up the theme of the movie. What I particularly like about OF GODS AND MEN is its refusal to make generalizations; it does not posit Christianity as being in any way superior to other religions (e.g. Islam), but suggests instead that any religion should be a force for peace rather than a pretext for violence.

frjacksjmd One can react to a film in many ways including: intellectually, viscerally, emotionally, cognitively, spiritually and aesthetically. One's reaction to a particular film is the result of complex interactions of all of the above and the characteristics of the film itself. Certain films are more likely to bring out particular types of reactions. This film works on many levels and will draw out complex and individual responses from each viewer. My responses were heavily influenced by my being a member of Catholic men's religious order that has a long (and ongoing) history or missionary work that, at times, puts our men in danger. This was true in the centuries since our founding and remains true for a number of my friends who are working "undercover" in several countries. I first watched Of Gods and Men with another member of the order who had already seen it but wanted to share the video and the experience with me. We watched on a small not very good TV with wretched sound. But within moments of the opening all of that faded away. When it was over I sat in the dark room stunned. I know several Trappist monks. I admire their lives and occasionally retreat at one of the their monasteries. While their vocation to contemplative monastic life is not my vocation, the bond of being in religious vows allows us to share something fundamental and vital. I was stunned when I read about the killings in Algeria and followed the story closely in the papers. Before watching the film I read the very well-written The Monks of Tibhirine that supplied some back story and biographical information that was not included in the film, a great deal about the history of Islamic fundamentalism in Algeria and much history of the French in Algeria. The scenes during which the men were discerning God's will, both as a community and individually, ring true. The lack of consensus, the bickering, the fear, the acceptance and the gradual movement of the Spirit are the same for all orders when they engage in corporate discernment emerging from each member's individual discernment. Though forewarned by my buddy, the scene of Swan Lake playing in the refectory was emotionally wrenching. The looks on the men's faces as the music swirled and the sense of community returned could never be described in words. I've been as deeply moved and emotionally drained each time I've watched the movie since (about four times since the initial viewing a year ago). Quibbles about the lack of action are absurd. That is not the kind of life we lead as religious. Prayer, Mass, and contemplation (even in an active order) are the backbone of our lives together and as individuals. The combination of the honesty of the portrayals of the men's and the community's spiritual crises along with the sublime cinematography combine to make this an extraordinary film on all levels.