MovieChat Forums > Dragonslayer (1981) Discussion > The handling of Christianity in the film...

The handling of Christianity in the film...

posted 12 years ago by Koosh_King01
14 replies | jump to latest

...was done fairly well, I think. None of the early Christians ever come across as unlikable. Jacopus in particular. He never belittles the villagers for their beliefs and seems very kindly and grandfatherly.

Even the one time he comes close to insulting them ("You call yourselves Christians?") it's more shouted in desperation and fear than anything. He probably honestly believed that if they'd remained with him, they could've defeated the dragon. And while some may consider him stupid for standing up to Vermithrax all by himself, I see it as being a sort of "foolish bravery" if you will. Stupid yet admirable all the same somehow, sort of like Elspeth later.

And while the newly converted villagers do claim that the dragon's death is God's will, they don't rub it in. This outcome of things is treated as being an inevitable "passing of the torch" in terms of belief systems. The new comes and replaces the old, just as Galen himself takes up Uhlrich's mantle (and to a lesser extent, Greil replacing Jacopus). The story doesn't judge this passing, merely presents it and lets the viewer come to a decision.

The character of Greil is also interesting. You'd think that witnessing Jacopus' death would convince him that the priest's God is false, or at least offers no assistance against evil. And yet it's clear he is deeply affected by seeing Jacopus die after taking such a brave stand against the dragon, and the reason he converted was likely due to seeing the inner strength and resilience that belief in Christianity gave the doomed priest, even if it was of no practical use in that particular situation - i.e., if it could give Jacopus so much inner fire that he could stand his ground against a dragon, then it (to him) must be worthwhile.

"I mean, really, how many times will you look under Jabba's manboobs?"

[–] Blueghost 11 years ago

Well, they come across as idiots and arrogant, as they were, save for the father. It wasn't their all powerful imaginary friend that brought down the dragon, but something more tangible and, perhaps, "supernatural" as opposed to something delusional.

In short the film, on an immediate level, gave more weight to the power and ability of those who actually practiced magic, than those who claimed that something beyond magic was at work.

In the end the movie seems to say that there was an age when magic ruled the land and kept men in fear, and now faith is going to come in and supplant that.

[–] Reallusion1 9 years ago

Lol anti theists are becoming parodies of themselves. "FUNDIESTHEY ARE DUMB! GOD DONT REAL! MAGIC SKY DADDY!"

[–] Blueghost 8 years ago

What do you mean?

[–] pappa-b-bear 8 years ago

Mindless, simplistic, and trite rhetoric like "imaginary friend". It's common, juvenile, and idiotic.

[–] Blueghost 8 years ago

Call it what you want, but it's true. And I don't care if you're insulted by it. There is NO god of any kind.

If I were to ask you if you believed in Zeus, you'd say "Of course not!" Nobody worships Zeus, Athena, Mercury, Ares or any other Greek god.

But if you lived 2000 years ago, you'd probably get the same response as you just gave me.

Imaginary friend is 100% accurate.

And this movie takes a shot at Christianity by showing how inadequate it was against a real fire-breathing leathern-winged draco.

And the final scene showed how, historically, Christianity has ALWAYS pirated from other religions.

Christmas is coming up. That old Yule tide spirit. Only Yule is a Germanic / Norse god.

Lots of other examples. Enjoy the movie. But if you want to debate me, then you will lose.

[–] averagejoeman2013 11 years ago

That was a very astute observation, Koosh_King01.

There was definitely an overlapping of ideals and beliefs and worldly views from many of the characters in the movie. We saw the faith in magic which can be viewed as man being capable of controlling his destiny as being slowly but surely overtaken as man evolved and realized he wasnt in control of jack. But for the most part, it wasnt done as overly critical against one group or the other. They had a common enemy endangering them and they had a mutual interest to see it destroyed.

I love films where there are several subplots to leave us with a more enrichening experience. Kind of ironic that although this movie shows a mutual respect of different beliefs, the weakest amongst us have to attack the other side to mask their own insecurities. I have accepted it is mostly out of ignorance and jealousy. It is disappointing knowing people that needlessly attack others likely have very little contentment in their lives. This movie was a nice escape from the smaller minds/attitudes we encounter in life (and sometimes on the imdb boards..lol).

"You'd better watch out Dr Death, I'm pretty darn fast for a caucasian!"

[–] sionxxii 9 years ago

I've always seen it as the faith in magic fades as the belief in Christ grows. For more on this concept, watch Eric The Viking.

[–] werecow2003 9 years ago

The character of Greil is also interesting. You'd think that witnessing Jacopus' death would convince him that the priest's God is false, or at least offers no assistance against evil. And yet it's clear he is deeply affected by seeing Jacopus die after taking such a brave stand against the dragon, and the reason he converted was likely due to seeing the inner strength and resilience that belief in Christianity gave the doomed priest, even if it was of no practical use in that particular situation - i.e., if it could give Jacopus so much inner fire that he could stand his ground against a dragon, then it (to him) must be worthwhile.

Call me a cynic, but I got the impression that he was aware of the priest's influence, and figured he'd take his place. I mean, he obviously saw the guy die. I felt it was similar to the King coming in after the fact, placing his sword on the dragon's throat, and being proclaimed dragon slayer. The fact that they thank God, rather than the person who has actually freed them, only emphasizes that fact. I thought it was a slightly sarcastic bit of social commentary about the way the world works. The irony of the whole thing is that the people who are actually the most effective get the most crap in this movie, while the useless superstitious fools are in charge, and the good guys can't even get proper credit in the end. That is all very true to life.

[–] cultfilmfreaksdotcom 8 years ago

I disagree. I think Christians were "handled" here like in almost every Hollywood film: kooks. Which, in a free country with free speech, is totally okay, it's just kinda strange: being the only religion allowed to truly bag on. Proving that PC is its very own religion, a sort of religion-replacement, and it's been happening a while.

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[–] Koosh_King01 8 years ago

I'm sorry you feel that way.

I mean, really, how many times will you look under Jabba's manboobs?

[–] cultfilmfreaksdotcom 8 years ago

[–] Philhelm (515) 5 years ago

The character of Greil is also interesting. You'd think that witnessing Jacopus' death would convince him that the priest's God is false, or at least offers no assistance against evil. And yet it's clear he is deeply affected by seeing Jacopus die after taking such a brave stand against the dragon, and the reason he converted was likely due to seeing the inner strength and resilience that belief in Christianity gave the doomed priest, even if it was of no practical use in that particular situation - i.e., if it could give Jacopus so much inner fire that he could stand his ground against a dragon, then it (to him) must be worthwhile.

That actually makes it more true to life, since martyrdom was a big part of early Christianity. Even Jesus was not spared death, so Jacopus' death should not necessarily make Greil conclude that God does not exist.

[–] BourbonKing (5782) 5 years ago

Since this is a fantasy story it doesn't really matter how Christianity was handled because its existence in this story is secondary. In the end it wasn't portrayed as an antagonistic force but rather a way of life that was to ascend as magic was disappearing. Excalibur the movie played on this historic and mythological idea as well where Merlin fades away in his last act of contrition and helping Arthur restore Camelot from the clutches of dark magic.

From what I've read in historic accounts of Medieval Europe Christianity was used to control the masses as it gave divine providence to the Aristocracy whereas in the older times during paganism it was an outside force that followed cycles and seasons. With the Roman political system being integrated into greater European regions it was necessary for Christianity to replace paganism so that more peoples could be herded into larger and more productive societies while lining the dowries of their "divine" Kings and lords (fiefdoms).