Movies/Scenes Representing
Honor/Integrity
- Shrek
(2001)
- The princess is transformed into her True Self - not necessarily beautiful in the eyes of the "world", but beautiful in a more important reality.
- Erin Brockovich (2000)
- "Erin Brockovich" is essentially a film about empowerment. A mother of three children is unemployed and has no source of income. She decides that she has to find a job at all costs. In her work at a small law firm, she discovers that she has very little respect from the other employees. She comes to believe that the women of the firm are jealous of her physical attributes when she is asked to change to more appropriate work clothing. She dreams of one day having a job where she is respected for what she brings to her position. She dreams of being viewed as a person of integrity. As the story unfolds, Erin develops a friendship with her boss that only strengthens with time because of her hard work and determination to do a good job. He strongly affirms Erin with several votes of confidence. As Erin works on her case, she receives acceptance from her co-workers gradually and also from those whom she wants to sign the petition. She also is required to show some great courage when she receives some threats to her family. Her case in a small California town that is plagued by bad water requires endurance from her and from her children and boyfriend/neighbor. The film depicts a journey of self-discovery for Erin. She finds that there are many obstacles that she must overcome, including dealing with the tension of not being with her children as much as she would like when she is working on her project for the town. The tension between working and not working is a strong one for Erin, who does not have the benefits of child support for her three children. As she gains the trust of the town, a sense of community between these people develops. They begin to understand that all of their medical problems are interconnected and that by joining together as one community they have a greater chance of achieving their goals. At the end of the film, Erin shows great joy at her accomplishments as a person in the working world (not to give away the ending). (Valerie Lyson Humphreys, Independence MO)
- Boiler Room (2000)
- The "legitimacy" of Seth's illegal home casino compared with his "legitimate" job as a high-pressure salesman of questionable stock.
- "Because of the routine racism at the firm, Seth observes it must not be a comfortable place for a black woman to work. Abby points out she makes $80,000 a year and is supporting a sick mother." (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times Review)
- "There's no honor in taking that after-school job at Mickey D's. Honor is in the dollar, kid." (DVD ch 1)
- The Insider (1999)
- Angela's Ashes (1999)
- Angela's integrity in the face of humiliation by charities and her husband's abandonment. (DVD ch 20)
- A teacher tells the children that it is not the childrens' shame that their parents are poor. "You don't see Jesus hanging on the cross sporting shoes." (DVD ch 17)
- October Sky (1999)
- Start Cue: Homer asks his father to come and watch the launching of his last rocket. End cue:Father puts arm around Homer's shoulder as they watch rocket go up. (Larry Hustedt)
- The Confession (1999)
- The honor of Fertig (an "insane" murderer) and the honor of the disbarred lawyer (Mel) who baptizes Bleakie. Both are mentors for the socially admired yet immoral Bleakie.
- (DVD ch 6) Bleakie - who pretends to be moral and honorable - confronts Fertig - who is the "real thing".
- Grey Owl (1999)
- The movie Grey Owl relates well to Mark 1:9-17, Lent 1, the wilderness temptations. It is the true story of a British man, Archie Belaney who leaves home at age 17 to live in the wilderness of Canada in the 1920's and 30's. He is taken in by a native tribe and takes on a false identity as a native Indian. Through the relationship with a woman, Pony, a full blooded native woman searching for her own identity, Archie "Grey Owl", comes to discover his true identity and mission in life as a voice for the native way of life and as a conservationist. Only now do we see him as a prophetic voice speaking out as a man ahead of his time. (Rev. Laurie McKnight-Walker, Beachburg, Ontario)
- Boys Don't Cry (1999)
- Theme within movie of integrity - Brandon's integrity and lack of integrity as a male, integrity and lack of integrity in other characters.
- Snow Falling on Cedars
(1999)
- This is a mystery, murder and love story folded together. It deals with forbidden love between a boy who is Caucasian and a girl who is Japanese just after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The theological themes running through it have to do with honesty, truth, integrity and honor. Prejudice impacts the solving of the unexplained death of a fisherman and the Japanese fisherman who is on trial for his murder. One man uncovers evidence that could mean life or death for the accused. He wrestles with his conscience and his unresolved feelings for the woman he still loves. A powerful story! (Sheila Cody)
- Patch Adams (1998)
- Patch continues to practice medicine in the way that he knows is best, despite the penalties for doing so.
- Antz (1998)
- Barbatus: Don't make my mistake, kid. Don't follow orders your whole life. Think for yourself.
- There's Something
About Mary (1998)
- It's like in the move that was released a year or so where everyone is pretending to be someone that they are not to win Mary's affections. You've got the Private Investigator who pretends to be an architect, the pizza delivery boy who pretends to be an intellectual on crutches, the high school friend who pretends to have "bumped" into her 20 years later, you know about the only one who isn't pretending to be something in the movie is quarterback Brent Farve, unless you consider the fact that he's pretending to be an actor, which, clearly he is not... (Steven W. Buchele)
- Amistad (1997)
- "We have avoided calling upon our ancestors perhaps because we fear that our individuality is not our own. Who we are is who we were." (DVD ch 21)
- Deconstructing Harry
(1997)
- "It's ironic that the same school that threw me out years ago wants to honor me." (DVD ch 4)
- Courage Under Fire (1996)
- I think "Courage Under Fire," the story of the investigation of a woman officer for the Medal of Honor, would qualify for this category. The entire movie is a study in Truth and is an excellent movie to discuss with youth/college groups in regard to "the truth shall make you free." (Pamela Thiede, Otterbein, Indiana)
- Braveheart (1995)
- William Wallace: Fight and you may die. Run and you'll live. At least awhile. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willing to trade all of the days from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take our freedom!
- Quiz Show (1994)
- Herb Stemple guesses "On the Waterfront" and loses the show though he knows the right answer. He spends the rest of his life questioning his integrity and questioning who is to blame for his decision. (DVD chapter 8)
- Charlie: If someone offered you all this money to be on
a rigged quiz show, would you do it?
Goodwin: No.
Charlie: And I would. (DVD chapter 21) - Goodwin talks about his uncle telling his aunt about an affair he'd had 8 years previous. "It's the getting away with it part he couldn't live with." (DVD chapter 25)
- The Mask (1994)
- I've put together a program about the mask we wear based or the movie The Mask. We look at the reasons we wear "mask" and use scripture to see that God know us at our most basic level. The movie ends with Jim Carrey's character saying something like - if I throw it (the mask) away all that is left is me. Well, God know "you" and that is EXACTLY who God wants to have a personal relationship with. (Mark A. Sandlin, Westminster Presbyterian Church)
- The Adventures of
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
- Afraid of his son's rejection, Tick pretends to be something he's not. His son matter of factly accepts his father, and Tick is able to return home physically and internally.
- The Stand (1994)
- The Game Show Crucifixion where Mother Abigail's Saints keep their honor to the death, praising God for the elimination of evil even through their sacrificial death.
- Strictly Ballroom
(1992)
- The intrinsic authority of the art itself is more important (and more life-giving) than the authorities who supply consequences for betrayal of their rules. Fran and Scott dance with integrity at the Championships, despite the consequences for doing so.
- Red Rock West (1992)
- Michael tries to be honest, and he loses a job because of it. So, he lies in order to get the next job. He spends the rest of the movie dealing with the increasingly complex consequences of his momentary lack of integrity.
- What About Bob? (1991)
- Although "honored" by society, the psychiatrist consistently shows his lack of personal integrity, while Bob, who is laughed at and pitied by society, shows his integrity.
- Dead Poet's Society
(1989)
- Keating keeps his integrity through opposition, and encourages his students to do the same.
- RoboCop (1987)
- Robo/Murphy's journey to discover who he is/was. He is not just a machine, but he has a history and an identity as a person with integrity. The attempt to create him as totally machine (the decision not to save his one usable limb!) is thwarted through some innate sense of identity and integrity. When asked his name at the end of the film, he says, "Murphy".
- "Frankenstein"/"Beauty and the Beast" scene where Robo removes his mask and looks into the mirror.
- Chariots of Fire (1981)
- Eric will not run on Sunday.
- Papillon (1973)
- Papillon endures the torture of solitary confinement and darkness for not divulging that it was Degas who gave him the coconuts. (See "coconuts" again during Papillon's "Sabbath" of freedom and during the final escape scene.)
- A Man for All Seasons
(1966)
- For the integrity/honor category, how about "A Man for All Seasons", starring Paul Schofield as Sir Thomas Moore who refused to knuckle in to the King's order that everyone must be of the same opinion. As a result he faced imprisonment in the tower of London, and, I believe execution. (David B. McGaffic)
- Becket (1964)
- Richard Burton played the title Character in the film "Becket" about the Archbishop of Canterbury who opposed King Henry the 2nd (Peter O'Toole) who had placed his former drinking buddy into the position of church leadership in order to have a church obedient to the King's will. In a defining moment Becket exlaims: "The Lord's honor is a heavy burden to bear", but in that moment, he made the decision to do just that! (David B. McGaffic)
- The Americanization
of Emily (1964)
- Charlie Madison: "So far this war, we've managed to butcher some ten million humans in the interest of humanity. The next war, it seems, we'll have to destroy all of man in order to preserve his damn dignity. It's not war that is unnatural to us; it's virtue. As long as valor remains a virtue, we shall have soldiers. So, I preach cowardice. Through cowardice, we shall all be saved."
- To Kill a Mockingbird
(1962)
- For integrity there are scenes from To Kill A Mockingbird. The one that comes to mind is when Atticus goes to visit the house of Jim and the bigot spits in his face but it doesn't turn him back. His son is watching from the car. (Jim McGown)
- High Noon (1952)
- Martin Howe: The public doesn't give a damn about integrity. A town that won't defend itself deserves no help.
- Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)
- See review by Martyn Smith.
