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The miracle on the River Kwai was no less than the creation of an alternate community, a tiny settlement of the kingdom of God taking root in the least likely soil. To a man, the prisoners clung to the desperate hope that their life would not end in a jungle prison but would resume, after liberation, back in Scotland or London or wherever they called home. Yet, even if it did not, they would endeavor to build a community of faith and compassion in the days they had left. For them, God was more certain than death.

Perhaps something similar to this was what Jesus had in mind as he turned again and again to his favorite topic: the kingdom of God. In the soil of this violent, disordered world, an alternate community may take root. It lives in hope of a day of liberation. In the meantime, it aligns itself with another world, planting settlements-in-advance of that coming reign.

For those who have no such hope, Graham Greene's account of imperial decadence offers the bleak alternative. It ends with Fowler's lament: "How I wished there existed someone to whom I could say I was sorry."

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A ready-to-download Bible Study on this article is available at ChristianBibleStudies.com. These unique Bible studies use articles from current issues of Christianity Today to prompt thought-provoking discussions in adult Sunday school classes or small groups.

The official website for To End All Wars includes a synopsis, images, media coverage links, and video clips. Previous CT coverage of the film includes:

Light Sabers and Self-Sacrifice | Two recent films—a blockbuster and an unknown—show two ways of confronting evil. (July 11, 2002)

Film Forum: The R-Rated Film That We're Not Supposed to Call Christian | What critics are saying about To End All Wars. (September 26, 2003)

Christianity Today sister publication Books & Culturealso reviewedTo End All Wars.

The official site for The Quiet American provides trailers and critical reviews of the film. ChristianityToday.com's weekly Film Forum also compiled reviews of The Quiet American early this year:

Film Forum: Two Elegant Adaptations by Director Phillip Noyce | What critics are saying about Phillip Noyce's The Quiet American and Rabbit-Proof Fence.

Film Forum: Critics Would Send Cradle 2 an Unmarked Grave | More reviews of To End All Wars and The Quiet American.

For more CT movie reviews, see our Film archive and also our Film Forum area, a weekly roundup of what Christian critics are saying about new and noteworthy movies.

Previous Yancey columns for Christianity Today include:

Going It Alone | We should take heed when much of the world says it distrusts us. (July 2, 2003)

God of the Maggies | In broken sinners, Jesus saw not their past but their future. (April 25, 2003)

Perestroika of the Spirit | In Russia, the vocabulary of faith needs interpreters. (March 5, 2003)

Jesus' Sword | Longing for peace in tumultuous times. (Jan. 7, 2002)

Guilt Good and Bad | The early warning signs. (Nov. 11, 2002)

God's Funeral | What will keep faith from nearly disappearing in America? (Sept. 3, 2002)

Sheepish | Feeling autonomous and proud? Then ponder the lives of sheep. (July 2, 2002)

Servant in Chief | Jimmy Carter's journey from the White House to building houses.(May 28, 2002)

Why Do They Hate Us? | How to turn the Baywatch syndrome into the Jesus syndrome. (March 27, 2002)

Honest Church Marketing | We enhance our 'image' by offering the world a realistic picture of faith. (October 24, 2001)

Compassion Confusion | We should serve the needy even when it has bad political consequences. (August 28, 2001)

Fixing Our Weakest Link | Evangelicals should be more "needful of the minds of others." (July 13, 2001)

Replenishing the Inner Pastor | Churches should take greater interest in their shepherds' spiritual health. (May 14, 2001)

Yancey's Where is God When it Hurts, Special Edition and Soul Survivor: How My Faith Survived the Church are available on Christianbook.com.

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September 2003, Vol. 47, No. 9