Purgatory The Movie

“PURGATORY”
Eschatological themes contained in the movie and how it interprets them
One of the eschatological themes presented in the movie “Purgatory” is the concept of hell. In the film,
it is the final destination of those who choose not to mend their sinful or evil ways. Hell here looks a river of
lava deep down in the abyss. In other words, it is depicted in the film as a place of fire in which the damned are
thrown into to burn and suffer unlimited pain. The clearer picture of hell in the movie happened when the
hardened cowboys who never wanted to change their sinful ways of killing, debauchery and revelry, were
thrown by the transporter into it. This transporter, who appeared to be an old American Indian, threw them into
the fiery abode. When they knew they were about to plunge the river of fire, I interpret it as the point when they
realized there was no turning back anymore.
The second theme is that of hope. They were actually given the chance to remain in the refuge for an
indefinite period of time. They were given the chance to renew and be sorry for the sins in the earthly life. Some
of those staying in the place they called ‘refuge’ were popular criminals or gunmen who spent their earthly life
in sinfully reckless abandon. Some were even acclaimed gunmen, albeit equally infamous, like Wild Bill
Hickock, Jesse James and Billy the Kid. The hope of ‘going home’ has been keeping them alive for years in the
‘refuge’ and they have been responding to their consciences. Their decision to renew their past lives displayed
their hope for glorification in of God Almighty. Hope here presupposes the ability to endure the stage
purification in the ‘refuge’ in that they must control their passions and tendencies for violence. To attain the
very thing they hope for necessitates that they do everything they can to avoid any sinful mistake. This virtue of
hope is the very entity that makes them look forward to meeting their God.
My Response to the movie’s interpretation of the eschatological themes
Let me put some parameters in my reaction: (a) the doctrine regarding eschatology still continues to
evolve and take different perspectives; (b) moreover, there is not a final dogmatic proclamation regarding this
subject matter. With that, I wish to say that the interpretation of the film as regards the first theme I presented
above (i.e. Hell) is the more classic and traditional portrayal, as found in some hagiographical writings and
theological imageries, even in the Scriptures. The concept of hell depicted in the film is a place of fire where the
damned suffer in endless pain. The way the films understands hell is not far off from what traditional Catholics
believe. In fact, I grew up with this particular notion of hell—a fiery abyss for hardened sinners.
As a student of eschatology, I think the film pretty much says that it is a point of no return. The imagery
of fire only gives it a certain traditional or classical touch. But the more pronounced message is that it is the
destination of those who choose to continue doing evil and deny bluntly the presence of goodness, nay of God.
It is the complete opposite of those who listen to their conscience and choose to mend their sinful ways. I like
how the movie presents this particular theme. Personally, I enjoyed watching the film while using the spectacles
of an eschatology student.
As regards the second theme (i.e. hope), I also like how the film depicts the virtue. It is the virtue which
seemed to be the most pronounced in the ‘refuge’. And with its depiction of hope, it seems the movie stresses
the importance of hoping for God. Beatific vision can only be achieved if one endures in his/her hope of ever
seeing God, or returning to his/her rightful home. This is the art which I see in the film: the way the people
hoped for their own glorification or justification necessarily goes together with their willingness to abandon
their past desires or earthly passions and tendencies.

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“PURGATORY”

Eschatological themes contained in the movie and how it interprets them

My Response to the movie’s interpretation of the eschatological themes

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