BBC Goes to the Movies

January 4, 2024

By Pastor Doug

As many of you know, I enjoy movies.

My love for movies began as a child during the summer in Ocean Park, Maine, when I would go to two or three movies a week. At Colby College, one of my favorite classes was a course called “The History of the Sound Cinema” in which we watched films by great directors like John Ford, Frank Capra, Howard Hawks, and many others.

I thought it might be fun during BBC’s Bicentennial to watch a movie every month (skipping the full summer months of July and August) with the movies either made in or about a twenty-year period beginning with the present day and working backward so the final movie would be set in the 20 years during which BBC was founded.

For example, the final movie in December will be the 1984 version of “A Christmas Carol.” While it is set in England rather than New England, it is from that period of the 19th century and its themes of love, generosity, grace and redemption are a wonderful way to conclude the series and prepare for Christmas.

Most months our movie night will be the fourth Thursday of the month, with exceptions for March, November, and December because of Maundy Thursday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Our first movie night will be on Thursday, January 25 at 6:00 p.m., when we’ll watch the Pixar movie Up which is appropriate for everyone including children. Before each movie I’ll share briefly about the film, why it was chosen and some things to watch for, and then for those who wish to stay after, I’ll lead a discussion about some of the themes raised in the movie.

Below is the full list of films with the title, year it was released, and the run time.

  1. January 25, 2004-2023, Up released in 2009, 1:36
  2. February 22, 1984-2003, Field of Dreams released in 1989, 1:47
  3. March 21, 1964-1983, Selma set in 1965 released in 2014, 2:08 
  4. April 25, 1944-1963, Finest Hours set in 1952 released in 2016, 1:57
  5. May 23, 1924-1943, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington released in 1939, 2:09
  6. June 27, 1904-1924, Chariots of Fire released in 1981, 2:03
  7. September 26, 1884-1903, Hello Dolly released in 1969, 2:26
  8. October 24, 1864-1883, Little Women post Civil War, 2019 version, 2:15
  9. November 21, 1844-1863, Glory released in 1989, 2:02
  10. December 13, 1824-1843, A Christmas Carol 1984 version, 1:40

See you at the movies!

Share online