The Top 100 Inspirational Movies: 20 - 11

20 - To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird stars Gregory Peck as a Maycomb, Alabama lawyer Atticus Finch who is appointed by the courts to represent Tom Robinson during the Great Depression. Robinson is a black man accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell. She was later beaten by her father, the town drunk, Bob Ewell, after he saw her flirtation with Robinson. Bob Ewell fabricated to police that Robinson raped his daughter. The middle-aged Finch is a widow with a daughter Scout Finch and an older brother Jem. Forbidden to come to the trial, the children along with a friend named Dill sneak into the color section of courthouse to view the drama. The kids endure harsh reactions by the town’s people for their father representing a black man in the Deep South and were even physically attacked. The jury had the same racist’s motives as Finch arguably raised reasonable doubt by proving that Tom’s accusers were liars. Tom was wrongfully sent to prison and was later shot after trying to escape. Atticus Finch lost all faith in the justice system.

~ Corine Gatti

19 - Babe

This is a heart-warming, quirky little tale of a piglet with a tender soul who yearns to be a champion sheep-herder. It takes place in some fairy tale world combined from every family farm of the English-speaking world – perhaps England, maybe Kansas, Canada, Australia or even Ireland. The story includes a duck that wants to be a rooster, a spiteful housecat, a spoiled granddaughter, singing mice, sheep rustlers, haughty ewes, a rotund grandmother and a close-knit family of sheepdogs that nurtures an orphaned little pig won in a raffle, taken home to be fattened up as the main course. Veteran actor James Cromwell is superb as the stern farmer willing to let the earnest little porker develop his desire to herd sheep. There are many memorable scenes, but every coach, boss and teacher should study the classic moment when little Babe, sick, near death, lacking any will to live, is rescued, then encouraged back to health by the taciturn Farmer Hoggett – who quietly sings a hoarse “If I had words that I could give to you” while dancing a silly jig, letting his little charge know that he is respected and, yes, loved. The best line? As the crowd cheers, as the herd dutifully marches in straight lines, Babe’s stern Boss nods and says approvingly, “That’ll do, pig.” Yes. That’s all the little guy ever wanted.

~ Rob Kerby

18 - Dead Poets Society

John Keating is an English teacher at Welton Academy in a private upper class school located in Vermont in 1959. Keating is played by Robin Williams who uses unorthodox methods to introduce and inspire his students to fall in love with poetry and to think independently. Keating was a part of a secret literary club named the “Dead Poets Society”, when he attended the school which his students resurrected. The eccentricities of Keating were unsettling to parents with strong ties to tradition at Welton Academy. When student Neil Perry decided to pursue acting and is casted in a play, his father yanks him out of school and orders him to attend a military academy so he can attend Harvard University and become a medical doctor. Neil confided in Keating, and the teacher encouraged him to follow his dream of acting. Neil’s father’s disapproval and pressure to conform, led Neil to commit suicide. Neil’s parents appealed to the school’s board and Keating was subsequently fired after the drama.

~ Corine Gatti

17 - Big

When you are growing up all you want to do is be an adult, and when you grow up all you want to do is be a kid again. That simple concept made Big one of the many classic Tom Hanks films. 12 year-old Josh Baskin is tired of being young, and after a wish at a carnival he wakes up as a 30 year-old man. While he meets a lady friend, lands a great job at a toy company, and can buy literally anything he wants, he comes to find that being an adult isn’t always cracked up to be.

In all its absurdity, Big has a very inspiring message. No matter what, there are always reasons to be happy with where you are. There are great things going on in the here and now, and there are great things coming in your future. Why not enjoy them both?

~ Stephen Russ

16 - Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

The film Mr. Smith Goes to Washington was a gift to me from my mother, who knew that it would be essential to my ability to teach social studies. As always, she was right. The story of Jefferson Smith is not only a wonderful overview of the lawmaking process, it’s also the story of many Americans – hopeful and a bit naïve, just trying to make a difference. And no one but James Stewart could have played the role. In the film we see the sometimes bleak realities of Washington, D.C. – corruption and backroom deals, but we are also reminded though that there are still people like Mr. Smith who optimistically pursue what is right.

~ Stephen Russ

15 - Singin' in the Rain

In the 1940s and '50s, Gene Kelly danced onto the silver screen in such big hits as Anchors Aweigh and An American in Paris, but we were all swept off our feet in the 1952 Oscar-nominated film Singin' in the Rain. Kelly plays Don Lockwood, an arrogant silent film actor in the 1920s who is forced to humble himself when talking pictures become all the rage. He stars opposite the spunky and beautiful Debbie Reynolds who plays a dancer with the hidden talent of an amazing singing voice. Singin' in the Rain is about adjusting to change and letting your voice be heard. It's one of the best movie musicals and holds the unforgettable scene of Gene Kelly singing the title song while swinging an umbrella and dancing through puddles of rain water.

~ Jennifer Jones

13 - Cool Runnings

If you have a dream, go after it, no matter what anyone else says. That’s the message of this satisfying, slapstick, poignant, reality-based story of the improbable Jamaican bobsled team’s ill-fated run at the Winter Olympics.

Perhaps the late John Candy’s greatest film, Cool Runnings is about the triumph of human spirit, ambition, love, patriotism, redemption and the joy of being part of a team. After a talented sprinter fails to qualify for the summer games, he get the idea of taking up bobsledding.

Against impossible odds, coached by an alcohol-soaked and disgraced U.S. bobsledder living in exile, the colorful bobsled team – consisting of track runners and a downhill push-cart racer who calls himself Sanka Coffee – undergoes intense training to overcome absurd odds and impossible administrative obstacles to make the finals at the Calgary Olympics. The world chuckles at the idea of bobsledders from a tropical island with no snow, no ice and certainly no bobsleds, but the Jamaicans show unquenchable spirit. However, on worldwide TV, a bad bounce sends their ancient sled careening out of control. As the broken sled skids upside down to a stop, is it all over? Did they fail? The world, awestruck, deliriously cheers – knowing that whenever things seem utterly impossible, look to the Jamaican bobsled team.

~ Rob Kerby

12 - Mr. Holland's Opus

It seems that the arts are under fire in America’s public schools where dwindling budgets often lead to cuts in music programs. Mr. Holland’s Opus makes a compelling case for the positive impact that music can have on the lives of young people. Mr. Holland, in one of Richard Dreyfuss’ most memorable performances, takes on his administration and his own personal demons. Though he falters frequently throughout the film, those mistakes make him even more of a compelling character.

Mr. Holland’s Opus has a number of inspiring things to say, but it’s ultimate message is that no matter what you are doing you have a decisive impact on the lives of those around you. Those you affect will never forget it.

~ Stephen Russ