In Podcasts, The Inner Life

Spiritual Movies – The Inner Life – March 26, 2025

Patrick Conleyby Patrick Conley

Father John Paul Erickson joins Patrick to discuss Spiritual Movies

  • (4:06) what are the dangers of movies the spiritual life
  • Father shares a movie which he really enjoys
  • (13:52) Sean – The Adventures of Robinhood from 1938. It’s a very Catholic movie. Had a good impression on my life. Saw it when I was 6.
  • Greg – Nefarious outstanding movie. Certain groups played it off as a horror film. It’s good vs. evil. Some have avoided it because it deals with evil. The guy who did it also did God is Not Dead. One priest said every priest should see it for giving advice for confession.
  • Mark – Calvary…Irish Film. 10 years old. About a priest who really lays down life for his flock.

(22:47) Break 1

  • John – Of Gods and Men…French film. About monks serving souls in north Africa. Based on a true story.
  • Barb – The Shack…about what it’s like to be God and sacrifice your son. It shows God sacrificed his son as this guy sacrificed his daughter. Bring your tissues.
  • (29:50) Nels – The Last Supper….newly released film. Emphasis on Judas in that movie.
  • Miriam – 7th Heaven…1930’s. Star5ring Jimmy Stewart. Unlikely love story ever told. Mention of God in the movie. He’s an atheist and then things happen. My favorite movie.

(35:43) Break 2

  • Roland – Journey to Bethlehem….nativity story. Silence…the story of the Japanese Martyrs. Ignition Martyrs
  • (39:16) Matt – Beckett, and the Cardinal. Excommunication scene in Beckett is most powerful scene. The Cardinal being more recent. Pope Benedict was advisor for this movie. Came out when V2 was written.
  • Patrick shares some movie recommendation from listeners who write in.
  • Roxanne – The Most Reluctant Convert…untold story of CS Lewis. Very good.
  • (43:02) Jean – King of Kings…1925. It’s a silent movie and beautiful.
  • Eric – The Scarlet and the Black. Based off the Scarlet Pimpernel. Hides thousands of Jews during WWII. I think it’s a must see.

Resources – Spiritual Movies:

  • Babette’s Feast (1987)
  • The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
  • Nefarious (2023)
  • Calvary (Irish film) (2014)
  • Of Gods and Men (2010)
  • The Mission (1986)
  • Arrival (2016)
  • The Blue Kite (Chinese) (1993)
  • The Shack (2017)
  • The Last Supper (2025)
  • The Chosen (series) (2017 – present)
  • Seventh Heaven (1937)
  • A Hidden Life (2019)
  • A Man for All Seasons (1966)
  • All That Remains: Dr. Takashi Nagai (2016)
  • Journey to Bethlehem (Christmas) (
  • Nativity Story (Christmas)
  • Silence (2023)
  • Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014)
  • The Ten Commandments (1956)
  • Ben Hur (1959)
  • The Robe (1953)
  • Becket (1964)
  • The Cardinal (1963)
  • Gattaca (1997)
  • The Most Reluctant Convert: the Untold Story of C.S. Lewis (2021)
  • The King of Kings (1927)
  • The Scarlet and the Black (1983)
  • The Sound of Metal (2019)
  • Life is Beautiful (1997)
  • The Bells of St. Mary’s (1945)
  • The Lord of the Rings (2001-03)
  • Groundhog Day (1993)
  • A River Runs Through It (1992)

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Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley

Patrick Conley was born, raised, and baptized in Wisconsin in a Protestant tradition. After meeting his wife, Kendra, through an Evangelical ministry at the University of Minnesota, they entered the Catholic Church in 2010. They listened to Relevant Radio, specifically The Inner Life, while preparing to enter the Church. Conley now holds a degree in theology from Oxford University and has served the Church in both academic theology and grassroots pastoral ministry. Conley teaches religion classes in a Catholic elementary school, serves as his parish Director of Religious Education, and is in formation for the permanent diaconate. He also hosts Practicing Catholic on Relevant Radio, exclusive to the Minneapolis area’s airwaves, and is a traveling presenter for the Catherine of Siena Institute apostolate. He lives in rural Wisconsin with his wife and their bulldogs, Georgie and Bingley.