Hollywood Biblical Epics

Biblical Epics and American Postwar Society, Episode 2

This episode looks at the final act of The Ten Commandments. It also explores the influence of social issues in postwar biblical epics, including the Civil Rights movement, and how one biblical film began to question postwar Christian nationalism at home and American hegemony abroad. It examines the decline of the Production Code and the theater-release biblical epic, and suggests some interesting reasons why they disappeared at around the same time. 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    

Biblical Epics and American Postwar Society, Episode 1

This episode investigates the effect of the Cold War on biblical epics. We discuss the Red Scare, and the closely-related Lavender Scare, and how Hollywood films were enlisted to use religion against them. In two biblical blockbusters of the era, four villains embody the twin fears of communism and the infiltration of gays and lesbians and other “deviants” in government. 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

Sex, Violence, and Censorship, Episode 2

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

Sex, Violence, and Censorship, Episode 1

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

Spectacle

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