'The Book of Eli' (2010), written by Gary Whitta and directed by The Huges Brothers delighted me. This apocalyptic film, and it's portrayal of sacred texts impressed me. The religious themes of this film remained undisclosed to me until the end of the film. An array of images and concepts come to me as I think about this film; tension, blood, relationships, cultural dynamics, hardship, and persistence. The religious themes are only made more powerful by there largely hidden existence in the first half of the film. It is only when Eli and his companion make it to safety that it becomes clear that the book they have been guarding is the bible. The book now lost from Eli's possession, is recited from his memory. In the ending scenes a scribe records every word that he says. Once complete, it is printed before it is shelved. The scribe clearly has a regard for this book. He touches it gently as he places it on a shelf in the library, slotted in between the spines of other religious texts.
This film portrays such religious texts with such a powerful sensitivity. Many of the images remain embedded in my heart. A reminder of how important these books are. A reminder of how we are to treat each other. The mode of representation is irrelevance to me, what is important is that we take great care of each other, especially surrounding issues that can, and are, matters of great personal significance
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