Clergy in Film

Yesterday as my friend Shay and I were talking about films (as we often do) I began to recount the role of clergy in films. There are a lot of different clergy roles in film and television. I don’t think however that I have ever talked about the good, the bad, and the sublime when it comes to clergy in film and television. So here you go.

Clergy roles in films are usually of a couple different types.

1) Villain – These are the roles where the evils of institutionalized religion are celebrated by the overbearing, sinister, or judgmental clergy.

2) The Hypocrite – We of course find many roles were the fallen nature of clergy is celebrated. Here the clergy is convicted and torn between two worlds. Often in regards to romance and sexuality or sometimes they switch it up and give us greed

3) The Sage – Here the clergy is wise and serves a moral compass for others. While not overtly Christian in their message, they sound like a self help guru, Confucius, or some other wise and holy person, without ever saying the name Jesus

4) The Real Deal – Sometimes, however infrequently, there is the real deal. There is the clergy that is true to their faith, is nuanced and interesting, and may actually say the name of Jesus on occasion.

Here are some of my favorites:

Rev. Lovejoy – The Simpsons – The good Rev. is a complex character full of nuanced religious commentary, spiritual advice, and caricatured commentary on the shortcomings of the church. He has profound moments, and he is the teaching point of many scenes. His spirituality and witness pail in comparison to Ned Flanders, however, which provides additional commentary.

Pastor Eric Camden – 7th Heaven – The pastor of Glen Oak Community Church, Camden probably crosses over between roles 3/4 of my list. He doesn’t compromise his calling, generally is a good guy, tries to help others, serves as the moral compass for the rest of the show and leads worship every week. I don’t think that we ever hear the name of Jesus in the entire history of the show, however, and this is a pastor as created by Aaron Spelling. So there are strong Hollywood and humanism elements to his role as a pastor.

Mr. Eko and Father Yemi - LOST – Mr. Eko is a drug smuggling thug whose sins resut in the death of his brother clergy, where as he takes on his role in an act of penitence. Yemi is a pure and well done clergy character. Eko, while technically not clergy, plays the role of the torn and haunted clergy trying to overcome their past. Their is redemption through Eko, however. His use of violence demonstrates the conflict within him to escape who he was.

Pastor Dan Parker – Raising Helen – Played by one of my favorites, John Corbett, hidden within this Kate Hudson romantic comedy is a really cool Lutheran Pastor. The principle of a private school, Pastor Parker is interesting, real, funny, and he is even sexy!

Father Merrin and Father Karras – The Exorcist – Here we have characters in multiple categories in a superlative movie. Father Merrin is a spiritual rock battling the forces of evil. Father Karras is struggling with his faith an unsure of his call. But, through his battle with evil, he discovers much about himself.

Father Gabriel – The Mission – Played by the great Jeremy Irons, this is one of my favorite movies. Father Gabriel is the rock upon which Robert De Niro as Rodrigro Mendoza anchors his faith in this transformation from slave trader to disciple. The powerful images of transformation and redemption in this movie are supported by Father Gabriel and his faithfulness.

Rev. Graham Hess – Signs – Played by Mel Gibson, this pastor is really conflicted, as in my wife died, I blame God, and I am now just a farmer conflicted. But, his faith is restored through, you guessed it, signs of God’s providence and plans in his families fight against aliens. Not many pastors get to fight aliens, so that is cool. The humanity in Rev. Graham is authentic even if anything involving M. Night Shyamalan isn’t.

Rev. Arthur Dimmsdale – The Scarlet Letter – Played by Gary Ordmann this is a pastor with a dirty little secret. Not that being attracted to Demi Moore is really a secret. This is a classic literary work dealing with difficult questions. This film is a somewhat trashy rendition of that work that doesn’t deal with those questions nearly well enough. Nobody wants to see pastors having sex in a barn. Sorry Dimmsdale.

Those are some of the ones off the top of my head. What are some of your favorite and least favorite clergy in films? Who are we missing?