Lloyd Baugh's
Imaging the Divine: Jesus and Christ-Figures in Film

At the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy, Lloyd Baugh, S.J., teaches an interdisciplinary course titled "Images of Jesus in Film." He is recognized as a scholar and expert in film studies of Jesus. In Baugh's introduction to Imaging the Divine: Jesus and Christ Figures in Film, he discusses how representations of Jesus the Christ in iconography and art forms in early Christianity evolved over time to music, drama, and then modern films of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. His book is devoted to these "representations of Jesus and Christ-figures in cinema" (ix).

Baugh's book focuses on two artistic methods of portraying Jesus in film. In Part I, he examines the literal and historical context of films about Jesus' life as related in the Bible. All films are analyzed up to and including 20th century cinema; Part II analyzes the metaphorical Christ-figure in films. This section suggests avenues of imaginative thought that many would not associate with the Christ-figure, but Baugh successfully points the way to such interpretations, arguing that these connections are not only probable, but an intentional focus in the production of the films. Baugh's analysis represents an impressive historical-critical approach to the cinema and its portrayal of Jesus; moreover, the author states that questions and issues that have come out of his work have stimulated further research into unexplored topics on religious cinema.

Baugh's book has numerous merits. He challenges the reader to think about the film in terms of its authenticity: does it remain true to the stories as told in the Bible? His premise remains that Biblical accounts are not fiction; therefore, films about Jesus must hold to the truth of scripture if they are to be described as literal representations of the life of Christ or metaphorical images of Christ in today's world. Baugh bases his criticism on the approach to cinema as a communication tool with the dynamics of film representing the culture of an era, and how each film reflects or fails to reenact the Biblical account. The discussions of the pros and cons of each film based on an objective point of view and how successfully each one represents Jesus' life according to scripture demands accountability of filmmakers to be true to scriptural accounts rather than subjective opinions and responses to the stories about Jesus. Baugh discusses the films on several levels of interpretation: literal, historical, allegorical and metaphorical. This comprehensive approach of the critique helps the reader to understand the film on a deeper spiritual and intellectual level.

Several films discussed in the book have not been translated into English, or are unavailable in the United States, but of those which are available, the experience will be enriched by having read Baugh's criticism.

Baugh's critique is absorbing and engaging for all readers who love cinema and film studies. It should have a place in private and public libraries both as a reference tool and as a serious study of the art of Jesus films.

Baugh, Lloyd. Imaging the Divine: Jesus and Christ-Figures in Film. Franklin, WI. Sheed & Ward. 2000.