This is a great dramatisation of a grace-filled event in recent history

Not being religious, I had difficulty enjoying this film. I strongly believe in helping others & had they been giving their lives for others, it would have made more sense to me. What good did they do the local community by not being there for them after the war?

1001 movies to see before you die (Added 2011; Removed 2014). I saw this because my Catholic friend said it was his favorite movie. For me, I did appreciate its slow method to expose the viewer to monastery life and then contrast it with the Algier culture. It highlighted the importance of Monks and their commitment to their religious teachings, but it was not one that kept my interest. The cast was good though, bringing in some popular actors. It was an STG DVD.

A Biblical test of faith played out in the modern era, when such sentiments are often thought to be relics. Instead of the stripped-down sentimentality of a Sunday School story, where men of God stand firm against those that threaten them through the power of their trust in the Almighty alone, Xavier Beauvois' film injects elements of pragmatism and personal doubt into the mix. Characters are left questioning their roles as they reflect on the sum total of their lives, their role in the community, and their relationship with God, while violence builds around them that threatens to spill over the walls of their carefully maintained monastery garden. The dedication to routine and worship are used well in the construction of the film itself, as a frequently encountered reference to the nature of the monks' lifestyle and personal commitment. Additionally, the thoughts on the futility of the conflict at hand (the religious underpinnings of the French Catholic v. Algerian Muslim disconnect, while a bit reductive in the colonialist, highly political history of the two nations) is not lost on the director, who uses the true-to-life work of Prior Christian de Chergé to emphasize the senseless brutality of religiously-motivated slaughter among men who worship the same god. Even then, the story does not shy away from the difficult relationship the monks have with both the rebel and military forces. Well-made, with nice on-location shooting and well-designed cinematography from Caroline Champetier. Certainly a bit slow, but it's difficult to make a refelctive film with a focus on a crisis of faith any other way. (3.5/5)

What a fabulous film - powerful, with nuance and care. Despite its focus on a unique community, it conveys universal messages about what we do with our lives, the mundanity of it all, what it means to live and to face death well, and also this question about where God is and how we understand him in this challenging world.

In an age of instant gratification and abbreviated communications, this type of depth and lyricism might be lost. Often communicating through a sense of mood, this film is a deeply moving look into love and belief. A jewel of a movie.

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Inspirational and thought provoking. With most films, you can't have both. You have to pick between the two. Not here. Not today. And that's why "Of Gods and Men" is so special.

It's the story of nice Christians who come to help the wicked Muslims assisted who then kills them for their trouble. No explanation of the reasons for their execution. No presentation from the point of view of the "terrorist". No connections are shown with colonization or the crusades. One of the few times an Algerian speaks in this movie it's to say "we do not understand", like, to show Algerians are dumbasses. Evidently, in the racist America, everyone calls it a work of genius.

Profound true story of a dignified stand by a terrorised brotherhood of monks in impoverished Algeria. Fine performances all round.

Lots of atmosphere and thought provoking.

Beautifully filmed, exquisite pace, harrowing tale, elegantly acted, the after effects stay with me and still makes me sigh

"Of Gods and Men" is a compelling film, based on actual events, about eight monks at a monastery in the mountains of Algeria in the 1990's. One day they find themselves caught in a civil war between Islamic fundaments and the army. They are forced to decide whether they will stay or if they will leave the village. One of my favourite moments in the film was when one of the monks began to doubt himself and how useful he is to the community. One of the villagers responded "we're the birds, and you are the branch". They find themselves constantly asking the question "should we leave" and Christian is the one who fights for them to refuse the help of the corrupt and violent army while staying and helping the people in the village. Too many movies tend to show these characters as someone with perfect morals when the reality of this situation if that anyone would doubt themselves. I believe that showing them doubting themselves only makes them more human. Xavier Beauvois did an excellent job at portraying this people and showing that they are only human. Throughout the movie they are constantly reminded that it would not be cowardly to leave and are always encouraged to leave. The decision splits them however they are reminded that leaving would be the same as dying and that they should not fear death if they are free men. When one of the monks first finds about the death of an imam there is a very powerful scene in which they use low key lighting to illustrate the mood. The monks are all praying in their monastery and there is no music or dialog between the characters. It was just silence in this scene and it fit the movie very well to display what they are going through and the effect it is having on them. I found that low key lighting was often used to create an chiaroscuro effect. They tend to use this effect to illustrate that the monks are the light in the darkness and how they are a symbol of hope for the village. I felt Xavier did a great job at showing the daily life of these monks. There was not really any music in this movie. There were only the chants of these monks and I believe that is very difficult to do well. However, it was done extremely well and the movie did not need any music to set the mood of a scene as it was displayed excellently. The only scene that contained music was the "last supper" scene and it was the most compelling scene in the movie for me. They all sat down for their last meal and knowing what would happen to them they enjoyed their last day. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and would recommend it to anyone who is interested in seeing it.

"Of Gods and Men" is a serious movie that requires focused attention, like reading a Geek tragedy. To try to watch it in haste will be trashing it. Unlike many movies made for mass consumption, it tells of dilemmas of people who are devoted to their work because they need fulfillment beyond being alive day to day. The Trappist monks summoned unusual courage to stay in harm's way. They were on their way to martyrdom out of devotion to God, conscience and the community they had come to serve. I couldn't resist asking myself if I would flee in face of near-certain annihilation. My mundane self says "flee" loudly. But I really can't tell what I would do if I had placed my soul and life to be such a man of cloth. People who devote themselves to idealism can surprise themselves. Thank God they make movies that make us think. By the way, Christophe's praying scene is beautiful beyond words.

LOVED it. Asks the hard questions and illustrates what people in these oppressed countries live with daily.

Tough, and with a pro-colonial heart beating at its centre, it gives us a strong intimation of what it means to be an enemy alien caught in the middle of a civil war.

A group of Trappist monks must decide to flee or remain when a nearby village is threatened by Muslim extremists. As slow burns go, Of Gods and Men is one of the most compelling. Tightly scripted and slowly but tensely paced, as this story unfolds, the film's themes emerge subtly: the film portrays the austerity of faith and how faith leads to a sense of security and conviction. While I'm not personally committed to these theses, the film's portrayal is richly textured and compelling. By the end of the film, we get to know these monks about as well as we get to know anyone in an understated French film, and it's hard not to admire them. Overall, this is profound and compelling story well-told.

Le rythme ne me convient pas.

Its a slow brew, but well worth a watch. Monks in Algeria faced with the decisions of leaving their Islamic flock & people desperately needing help, or risk their lives by staying for fear of being killed by the Islamic terrorists. Superb acting from Michael Longsdale, who has never seem so aged and yet wise for the role he plays. Based on a true story.

A quite extraordinary film about sever Trappist monks based in a poor Algerian village where they have had a presence for many years. As violence in the country erupts into civil war they must decide whether to stay or leave. Remarkably shot, acted & directed this is a powerful, tense film where a look can often say a thousand words. It is exceptional & almost perfect.