The Painted Churches of Texas: Echoes of the Homeland (2001)

Catholic immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries wanted to preserve the culture and values of the old country as they strove to succeed in a new land. This joyful, one-hour documentary remembers how, as it presents the ornately decorated murals and designs created by Czech and German settlers in the Southwest. It aired on PBS stations.

From the outside these churches look like many other American houses of worship built during their time.

But, inside, instead of a simple wood interior is an unexpected profusion of color. Nearly every surface is covered with exuberant painting.

Elaborate imitation foliage covers the walls; the baseboards simulate polished marble. Director Tom Spencer and producer Paulist Father Alan Oakes combine the photos, letters and diaries of the original settlers with interviews with their descendants and historians to place these works in their larger social context. (To order, call (800) 218-1903 or visit www.paulistpress.com on the Internet.)

Rudy (1993)

The under-dog who makes good is a Hollywood staple. Rudy, written by Angelo Pizzo and di rected by David Anspaugh (Hoosiers), based on a true story, overcomes the genre's usual sentimental clichés. Rudy Reuttiger (Sean Astin) is a blue-collar kid who dreams of playing football at Notre Dame.

No one in his family has ever gone to college, and it's expected he will work in the steel mills like his father (Ned Beatty) and brothers.

Rudy faces formidable obstacles because of his underwhelming physical stature, undistinguished educational background and limited means.

His situation is further complicated by his father's envy and the hostility of most coaches.

After a stint in the mills and at a nearby junior college, Rudy bulls his way into Notre Dame his junior year and eventually earns a shot at his dream.

Along the way a handful of mentors appear to offer hope and guidance. Among them is a sympathetic priest, Father Cavanaugh (Robert Prosky).

The Cruel Sea (1953)

You don't hear much about the Navy these days. The buzz is all about high-tech aerial warfare and special ground operations.

But the courage displayed by uniformed sailors in combat is of a special sort. Perseverance and the determination to survive are as important as the willingness to take physical risks. This Oscar nominee dramatizes these virtues through the inventive use of documentary techniques. The action is set on British convoy escorts in the North Atlantic during World War II.

Captain Ericson (Jack Hawkins) loses his first ship to a U-boat torpedo. He and a handful of men (Donald Sinden, Denholm Elliott and others) barely survive, floating adrift on a raft. Placed in charge of another craft, Ericson is faced with a heart-rending decision necessary to save the lives of his crew after another German attack.

This haunting sequence is the most effective depiction of the loneliness of command I've ever seen.