TECN.TV MOVIES

THE CHRIST SLAYER

A Christian Film

This touching and heartfelt film depicts the legend passed down through the ages about the Roman centurion who is responsible for the death of Christ by striking him in the side with a spear. Though he is unnamed in the gospels, The Christ Slayer follows the Catholic tradition, which has sainted him, and called him Longinus (Carl Weyant). Weyant’s impressive performance tragically relays the story that is told throughout history with varying alterations, and in one version Longinus is thought to be blind. Hence this movie depicts him as completely blind, wearing a band of cloth around his eyes throughout.

He is a sympathetic character who is bullied by his peers and forced to pierce Christ with the spear that kills him; thus, earning the name Christ Slayer, for which people both taunt him and revere him. However, upon this event, Longinus enters a spiritual and moral crisis, and though he falls in love soon after this incident, he is determined to travel to his hometown where he will end his life as he becomes increasingly convinced that he has killed the actual son of God. His aide and friend Albus is beautifully played by Josh Perry, an actor with Down’s syndrome. The casting here and the chemistry between these partners is powerful, as Albus is fiercely loyal to Longinus.

The interesting twist, when Jesus reveals himself at the end of a long journey with Longinus, has a life-altering experience for the latter, and many lessons ensue as we watch this character transform from a very dark place into freedom. This is a profound way to deliver a salvation message, for we too travel with Longinus as he struggles with a deep sense of anger, guilt, regret, and shame, and is confronted with forgiveness, unconditional love, transformation, and healing.

1984

1984 is a 1956 British black-and-white science fiction film, based on the 1949 novel Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell, depicting a totalitarian future of a dystopian society. The film was the first feature-length adaptation of the story, and followed a previous Westinghouse Studio One adaptation and a BBC-TV made-for-TV adaptation. 1984 was directed by Michael Anderson and starring Edmond O'Brien as protagonist Winston Smith, and featured Donald Pleasence, Jan Sterling, and Michael Redgrave.

At the Ministry of Love, Winston is confined in a pit-like room as Parsons gets thrown into the pit, his daughter having denounced him for muttering in his sleep "Down with Big Brother." After Parsons is taken away, O'Connor enters the room and reveals himself to be a covert agent of the state. Under O'Connor's direction, Winston is subjected to a brainwashing campaign. Still resistant after a series of electroshock treatments, Winston declares that the party will never eradicate his love for Julia.

After realizing that Winston's biggest fear is getting eaten alive by rats, O'Connor confines him in a room filled with the squealing rodents, causing Winston to break down and beg them to feed Julia to the rodents instead. When O'Connor authorizes his release, Winston mindlessly wanders through the streets, where he spots a cold, indifferent Julia. Big Brother broadcasts that the Eurasian army has been routed in battle and that the war will be soon over; he finds Julia gone after he looks back at where she had been standing. In the final shot, a "rehabilitated" and brainwashed Winston fervently joins the crowd while cheering "Long Live Big Brother!"

An alternate ending was also shot and produced, in which Winston rebels against his brainwashing and starts to shout, "Down with Big Brother," before being shot down. Julia runs to his aid and suffers the same fate.