![The Bible ... In the Beginning [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/514645CE7TL._SX300_SY300_QL70_FMwebp_.jpg)
![Jesus of Nazareth: The Complete Miniseries - 40th Anniversary Edition [DVD]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91Pr7QvllsL._AC_UL165_SR165,165_.jpg)
Some background: when I was perhaps 4-5 years old, in a family that was not religious in thought, word, or deed - except for some traditional commitments to Catholicism, I saw this movie but had no idea what I was looking at until I saw the scene of the king shooting an arrow into the sky (what I know now was the "creatively fleshed out but not thematically inaccurate" account of the Tower of Babel). When that arrow-shot happened, I understood it as a revolt and also perceived the scene as a jolting portrayal of the pride, hatred and foolishness fueling it. Fast-forwarding to my life as an adult, I eventually became an informal student of scripture, one who has given ear and intellect and heart to the "inspiration and inerrancy" side of biblical schools of thought. And over those years, from time-to-time the thought would bubble up, "What about that movie where the man shoots the arrow into the sky?"
Now that I have finally gotten the movie, and on blu-ray, I am swept off my feet, bowled over as it were by the cinematography, sound and acting. After many years of CGI and sophisticated green-screen movies which are cutting edge, I was jaw-droppingly mystified as to how the special effects of "The Bible" could be that good way back then. The bare cinematography and sound are astounding from the outset, but it is the Noah's Ark story which floored me. Yes, you can see some of the unfocused line-of-eye-sight when "Noah" is watching animals go into the ark, but this is no worse than when Gandalf chuckles at bedside when Sam, Merry and Pippin are reunited with a recovering Frodo in Rivendell (in that scene, it appears - at least to me - that Gandalf is chuckling at a green screen). HOWEVER, returning to Noah, when he and his family are on the ark, it is astounding how real the acting is... and perhaps it is true that back then they put big name actors in the same space as animals that could kill them with a single swat or swipe. I cannot speak to that. What I can say is that the Noah's Ark story was especially impressive and pulled me entirely into the story because the realism was not just impressive for the movie's age, but for the realism actually delivered by the production.
I also gave a nod to the depictions of the scattering and the innate viciousness of fallen mankind in the Tower of Bablylon story. Looking at the organized and sophisticated work on the Tower (i.e. a ziggurat), albeit due to enslavement, that devolves into terrified brawls, murder and flight, one cannot fail to notice the movie's creators' attention to detail in the background of the plains as seen from the top of the Tower - the flight and scattering of man in the throes of self-destruction. I think the movie's creators get that spot-on. As well, the internal torment of Abraham in the test of his faith through the sacrifice of his "first-born son of promise" was achingly helpful in understanding a couple things: 1) Abraham was not ignorant of child sacrifice and cults which wove such things into their practices, and 2) the trek which took Abraham and Isaac through the destroyed city - perhaps Sodom or Gomorrah, which had altars (some cults built statues of gods with outstretched arms) upon which children would have likely been placed for burning is leveling to a sensitive father in Abraham. The portrayal should make us, as Abraham was, convinced that the charges against mankind leveled by God are not without justification.
Is this movie for kids? I would say not without parental guidance. The nudity is artistically and cinematically well-done, and is - quite refreshingly - almost clinical... if one knows the story. But, it is the brutality and the no-holds-barred depictions of man's depravity which might give pause to some. On the other side, there is a world of good in the characters who, despite the surrounding idolatrous cultures, remain faithful to the commands of a just Creator who has written onto their hearts - if not spoken to them by Him directly - the ultimate rule of law which says love and serve Him and others, as well.
Finally, is this movie good for a Bible study? I don't think it would hurt... but, it doesn't come through as a vehicle for that. It is better suited to people who have lived long years acquainted with their Bibles, in churches committed to inerrancy and inspiration, and who have lived alongside (not withdrawn from) a world of popular entertainment. I would feel totally comfortable having some artistically- and theologically-minded people from church over for dinner, a glass of wine, and this movie.
| Additional DVD options | Edition | Discs | Price | New from | Used from |
|
DVD
March 16, 2004 "Please retry" | — | 1 | $3.75 | $1.51 |
Watch Instantly with 
| Rent | Buy |
Frequently bought together
![The Bible ... In the Beginning [DVD]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/514645CE7TL._AC_UL116_SR116,116_.jpg)
This item: The Bible ... In the Beginning [DVD]
$19.99
Get it May 6 - 9
Only 5 left in stock - order soon.
+![Jesus of Nazareth: The Complete Miniseries - 40th Anniversary Edition [DVD]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91Pr7QvllsL._AC_UL116_SR116,116_.jpg)
$14.99
Get it as soon as Sunday, May 4
In Stock
+
$26.00
Get it as soon as Sunday, May 4
In Stock
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who bought this item also bought
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 2, 2021
- Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2025
- Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2025
- Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2025
- Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2011
- Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2024
Top reviews from other countries
-
-
- RapunzelReviewed in the United Kingdom on April 26, 2025
The. Bible. An excellent achievement of direction and a great production of its time.
-
