The Legend of 1900 (Fine Line Features, 1998)

Chances are that you haven’t seen this charming Italian film beautifully directed by Giuseppe Tornatore. The Legend of 1900 is an obscure film that tells the story of Danny Boodman T. D. Lemon 1900 (Tim Roth), discovered as an infant aboard the ocean liner Virginian by an engine-room worker. From infancy to adulthood, 1900 (named after the year of his birth) spends his entire life on the sea. Due to his small -- and manageable -- world, 1900 develops a simple and gentle philosophy of life. By his teenage years, 1900 emerges as a musical prodigy, and there is a wonderful "piano duel" scene with Jelly Roll Morton. Roth plays 1900 in a subtle, understated manner that conveys both deep wisdom and childlike naiveté. There is a slightly mystical aura to Roth’s character that lends a fairy-tale feeling to the entire film. The premise of the movie is completely unbelievable, but that simply adds to its charm.

Character development is secondary to the tale of a person living in fear of the new, the different, and the unknown. 1900 is agoraphobic (fearful of strange, public, open spaces), and his fear limits the possibilities of his life. Yet, it is everyone else who feels sorry for what 1900 is missing. His talent could make him famous. Love, adventure, success, and a place to call home await 1900 on land, but he is crippled by his inability to leave The Virginian.

There is one incredible scene in the film that reveals the depth and power of 1900’s fear. On one cruise, 1900 sees and falls in love with a young woman (played by Melanie Thierry). His desire for her is palpable, but eventually the ship docks, and his love departs for the city. 1900 is faced with the decision to follow his love or stay safely aboard ship. He decides to leave the boat -- to enter the city and experience life as he has never known it before. The entire crew of The Virginian turns out to offer their farewell, and 1900 -- hat in hand -- begins to walk ashore. Halfway across the gangplank, he freezes. For a phenomenal five and a half minutes -- an eternity in film time -- the camera focuses on the pain and turmoil on 1900’s face. As tense and exciting as any action thriller, this moment causes the audience to hold its breath wondering "will he or won’t he?" At long last, 1900 pitches his hat into the air. It sails down into the water, and he turns and reenters the ship. His decision is made. The world is just too large, too frightening, too unknown. 1900 pitches his possibilities to the wind with his hat, and he settles for what is familiar and comfortable.

Ultimately, The Legend of 1900 is a parable about change -- or more accurately, the resistance and inability to change. This is an important film for church leaders to view together. Change is so much a part of our daily lives. There is no escape from it. In fact, churches that desire to grow and be more effective are not just reacting to change, but are seeking ways to create change. As leaders bring change to the church, they often face resistance and rejection. The Legend of 1900 provides a message of grace, both for those who resist change and those who lead change.

Too often, leaders in the church adopt the attitude that everyone should learn to change more gracefully. While this is a valuable skill -- and a necessary ministry -- it causes us to forget sometimes that there are those who simply cannot, or will not, change. Just because leaders see the wisdom of change doesn’t mean that everyone will share their opinion.

The church is a center for healing, for comfort, and for tolerance. It is also a change agent in a culture that is turbulent and frightening. Often, the need for change and for comfort are in conflict. Leaders need to seek ways to navigate the white-water rapids of change, while attending to the needs of the men and women for whom change is overwhelming. Leading people through change is different from changing people. As we seek ways to grow and improve as the church, it is imperative that we understand the stress and threat that change produces for many people.

Tim Roth’s 1900 is a sympathetic character who reminds us that people have the right to be who they are. Even people who are ruled by fear, by short sightedness, or by ignorance are entitled to feel the way they feel. Meeting people where they are in their livese and faith formation means that we accept them with all their shortcomings. Change is terrifying to some, and the better we are able to help people cope with these feelings, the more value we will have in their ongoing spiritual development.

Knowing that some people cannot change can liberate us from the need to waste valuable time trying to talk them into it. There will always be 1900s. We can choose to condemn them, fight them, convert them, or accept them. What we cannot do is allow the fears of the few to prevent us from responding to the call of God to continuously improve what we do to form Christian disciples and fulfill the mission of the church. To live is to change. To grow and to learn is to be intentional about the way we change. To be leaders in the church means to find the balance between ministering to those who see the future filled with possibility and those who see it filled with peril.

Study Guide for The Legend of 1900

As you watch the film, reflect on the following questions:

1. What makes the world such a frightening place to 1900 and people like him?
2. There are two scenes where Max attempts to encourage 1900 to leave The Virginian; once midway through the film, and again at the end. If you were Max, what advice or suggestions would you make to 1900?
3. In what ways do you sympathize with the decisions 1900 makes? In what ways do you disagree?
4. What are some of the factors that make change difficult or impossible for some people?
5. How can we be more understanding of those who are resistant to change? How can we be in ministry to those who are overwhelmed and/or crippled by change?

Visit The Legend of 1900 Web Site.

Dan R. Dick is a former staff member of the General Board of Discipleship.

(originally posted February 4, 2000)

    Text Only Version