

Title: The 5 Most Remarkable Crucifixion Moments in Film History — Just in Time for Easter
Easter signifies a season of revival, soft hues, chocolate treats, and adorable bunnies. Yet, we must remember the true reason for this occasion: one of the most brutal and legendary deaths in humanity’s narrative. Indeed, it is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. While the holiday has been overshadowed by sweets and egg hunts, its origins are steeped in a grim story of sacrifice, redemption, and, yes, crucifixion.
At CGM, we enjoy celebrating holidays with a unique twist. So rather than showcasing Easter bunnies or films centered on chocolates, we’re delving into something a bit darker — and far more cinematic. This year, we’re ranking the five most remarkable crucifixion moments in film history. Whether they are direct or allegorical, these scenes are unforgettable, filled with emotion, and sometimes even amusing (yes, genuinely).
To ensure fairness, we’ll include only one crucifixion scene featuring Jesus on our list. After all, he has been depicted numerous times on screen, and we doubt he’d relish stealing the entire show. Moreover, we’ve steered clear of excessive metaphorical crucifixions — sorry, RoboCop and Spider-Man — to maintain focus and impact.
So take hold of your chocolate bunny, get comfortable, and savor this compilation of cinematic crucifixions that will undoubtedly make your Easter weekend a bit more… intense.
5) Carrie (1976)
Director: Brian De Palma
In Brian De Palma’s horror classic, Carrie White is a telekinetic teenager driven to her limits by cruel schoolmates and an excessively religious mother. The film’s climax unfolds as a blood-drenched revenge fantasy, but it is the ultimate standoff between Carrie and her mother that secures a place on this list.
After unleashing her wrath at prom, Carrie heads home to confront her mother, Margaret, who perceives her daughter as possessed by sin. In a moment of poetic justice, Carrie employs her powers to telekinetically crucify her mother in a posture hauntingly similar to the Jesus statue in their residence. It’s a chilling, symbolic moment that merges horror, religious symbolism, and tragic catharsis.
4) Spartacus (1960)
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick’s epic tale of swords and sandals is a masterwork of historical drama and political commentary. Based on the real-life saga of a gladiator who instigated a slave uprising against the Roman Empire, Spartacus culminates in a mass crucifixion — a chilling reminder of the cost of dissent.
The closing scene features Spartacus, played by Kirk Douglas, alongside his fellow rebels being crucified. It’s a stirring moment of martyrdom, made even more poignant by the film’s undertones regarding McCarthyism and the Hollywood blacklist. Kubrick’s direction guarantees the scene is both grand and intimate, marking it as one of the most iconic crucifixions in cinema.
3) Conan the Barbarian (1982)
Director: John Milius
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s breakout performance as Conan delivered one of the most extreme crucifixion scenes in film history. Left to perish on the Tree of Woe, Conan is nailed in the harsh desert, vultures circling above. But this is no ordinary man — this is Conan.
Instead of yielding to death, Conan attacks a vulture, survives the ordeal, and emerges stronger than ever. It’s a moment that blends the absurd with the thrilling, capturing the extravagant spirit of 1980s action films. If you’ve ever questioned Arnie’s toughness, this scene will clarify things.
2) Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979)
Director: Terry Jones
Only Monty Python could transform crucifixion into a musical comedy. Life of Brian, a satire of biblical films and religious doctrines, follows Brian Cohen — a man born on the same day as Jesus who is persistently mistaken for the Messiah.
The film concludes with Brian and a group of others facing crucifixion, yet instead of a somber ending, we are treated to a cheerful singalong: “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.” It’s irreverent, hilarious, and unexpectedly uplifting. Only Monty Python could create a mass execution that feels like an uplifting moment.
1) The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
Director: Martin Scorsese
In the realm of cinematic crucifixions, nothing surpasses Martin Scorsese’s provocative masterpiece. The Last Temptation of Christ, adapted from Nikos Kazantzakis’s novel, delves into the humanity of Jesus and the temptations he confronted — including the longing for a regular life.
Willem Dafoe’s depiction of Jesus is raw and poignant, and the crucifixion scene is both tormenting and transcendent. What distinguishes it is the film’s unexpected twist: as Jesus hangs on
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