Does anyone know of any from, say, the last decade? Beyond that?

I was thinking about this after reading this topic, because I am working (slowly, continually) on a script based on that parable, and I don't want it to feel like it's been done before. I just can't think of any movies out there that have covered it - at least none that are blatant.

I have never seen it but I believe Richard Thorpe's The Prodigal (1955) is the only film based directly on one of Jesus' parables; the plot outline, as per the IMDB:

A young Hebrew named Micah, unsatisfied with his father's rural life, demands his inheritance so he can try his luck in the city. Once in the city he falls under the spell of a beautiful pagan priestess who induces him to squander his money and betray his faith. Only after many trials and tribulations does Micah recover his senses and return home to his forgiving father.

Beyond that, the word "prodigal" turns up quite a few titles at the IMDB, but I imagine these are all more metaphorical or allegorical -- one of them, James F. Collier's The Prodigal (1983), was the first Billy Graham movie I ever saw.

Murnau's The Burning Soil, which i viewed in February, is about all i can think of. It's got the classic prodigal son vibe with a twist: After the father dies on his farm, one son leaves to pursue power and wealth and the other stays on the family farm and opts for a simpler life. As the plot is further developed, we find out why the simpler life actually is the richer one in this case. It's not Murnau's best film (and quite frankly after seeing The Last Laugh the other night i cannot choose between that and Sunrise and Nosferatu which film might really be Murnau's best) but it is certainly watchable and i believe even rewarding if you can stay with it to the end.

-s.