45
Downloads
3
Episodes
Hollywood Biblical Epics is an immersive, engaging, narrative sound documentary with a deep-dive focus on the history of biblical films in Hollywood. Created by movie experts Richard Lindsay and Ryan Parker, it follows developments in the American film industry from the silent era to the 1960s, including the religious, social, and political influences on biblical epic films. It is a narrative accompaniment to the Biblical Poster Collection of Blackfriars Gallery in Berkeley, California, telling the stories of the films behind the posters. To see the collection, and for production credits for the podcast, go to https://dspt.edu/movie-posters-podcast
Episodes
7 days ago
7 days ago
With the implementation of the Production Code, studios could use biblical films to sneak sex and violence into their pictures. Coliseum violence, pagan orgies, sensual dance scenes, and women and men in skimpy costumes were all deemed necessary to enact ancient stories. Although the Bible, in this sense, could change the Code, in one notable film, the Code changed the Bible, completely transforming a famous biblical villain into a virtuous Christian. Narrators are Richard Lindsay and Ryan Parker. Biblical film experts are David Blanke, Matthew Page, and Adele Reinhartz. For more information on the movie posters referenced in this episode, go to dspt.edu/movie-posters-podcast
Monday Apr 07, 2025
Monday Apr 07, 2025
Exploring the development of the censorship regime in Hollywood, known as the Production Code. This episode particularly focuses on Father Daniel Lord, Jesuit priest and chief architect of the Code. It also looks at “pre-Code” films, including one biblical film that led the Catholic Church to threaten movie boycotts, and led Hollywood to finally crack down on moral excess. Narrators are Richard Lindsay and Ryan Parker. Biblical film experts are David Blanke, Matthew Page, and Adele Reinhartz. For more information on the movie posters referenced in this episode, go to dspt.edu/movie-posters-podcast
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
This episode looks at the beginnings of biblical films, going back to some of the earliest experimental features based on Passion plays. It traces the formation of the American film industry and the founding of Hollywood, including how biblical films demonstrated the American public was ready for longer, more complex feature films. It covers the great spectacles of silent biblical epics of the early Hollywood studio era—many of which would be remade in the 1940s and 50s as big-budget Technicolor features. Narrators are Richard Lindsay and Ryan Parker. Biblical film experts are David Blanke, Matthew Page, and Adele Reinhartz. For more information on the movie posters referenced in this episode, go to dspt.edu/movie-posters-podcast