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Celtie Johnson would rather her daughter not inherit the hot air of Inherit the Wind.

The 1960 film, which recounts the story of the 1925 Scopes Trial, was recently shown in a sophomore biology class at Shawnee Mission East, a Kansas City high school. When Johnson heard what her daughter was "learning" in biology class, she and others took their protest to the school board. The teacher, they argued, had assigned the children to study "bigotry and propaganda."

Inherit the Wind portrays the trial of John Scopes, a schoolteacher accused of teaching evolution in a public school. The film is a fictionalization of the events, and Johnson argues that the film skews towards becoming "anti-Christian." The Kansas City Star quotes Johnson: "This movie has been touted as an American classic for so long, and no one has questioned it. We're adults now, and it's high time we question it."

Johnson says the film would be perfectly acceptable as a subject for discussion in other educational contexts, and a special committee created by the school district to review the complaint will soon reach a decision.

The Johnsons certainly have a point about the historical inaccuracies of Inherit the Wind, but their frustration with its apparent bias reflects a feeling widespread amongst Christians that Hollywood movies give them a bad rap. The church is frequently portrayed on the big screen in an unflattering light. Some go so far as to argue that this reflects a prevalent anti-Christian prejudice and a conspiracy in Hollywood to discredit the Church, while others argue that Christians often behave in ways that encourage the nasty stereotype.

Let me know: What are the most offensive and dismaying portrayals of Christians you have seen in the movies? Have any portrayals been accurate, admirable, and honorable? Do any particular filmmakers strike you as having an anti-Christian agenda? Do any seem to have a balanced and fair perspective?

I will include brief excerpts from some of the responses in next week's Film Forum, so please include your full name with your response. (If you do not wish to have your response quoted, please say so.)

Finding Nemo, the new progeny from the powerful marriage of Disney and Pixar, earned more than $70 million on its opening weekend, outperforming any other animated movie in history—including Disney/Pixar's own Toy Story films, A Bug's Life, and Monsters, Inc.

The good news is that Finding Nemo is not just a box office hit: it's a fantastic movie. Most critics agree that this is the studio's most impressive visual feat to date. And while Pixar fans will argue about which of the studio's stories they like best (I'm partial to Toy Story 2), no one can deny the powerful emotions the plot is stirring in viewers both young and old. The storytellers at Pixar have their roots in the best storytelling of the Disney tradition. There are echoes of Bambi, Pinocchio, Dumbo, and even The Rescuers.

After the movie, parents and children alike may find themselves pondering some unexpected issues. Nemo is full of situations that, although portrayed underwater, resonate with lessons for our daily lives above sea level. The film explores obedience, freedom, loss, healing, patience, and compassion. There are the beginnings of a remarkable love story forming by the end. And although the film is not heavy-handed about it, there is just enough tongue-in-cheek talk about fish being "friends—not food" that questions about vegetarians might come up at the dinner table.

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June (Web-only) 2003, Vol. 47