nowackiandrew
I really enjoy this one. I thought Patrick Dempsey did a great job. I've been watching some Bible movies lately, and this one did not disappoint. Definitely recommend it.
david-sarkies
I remember sitting down with some Christian friends to watch this movie in a lead up to a bible study on Jeremiah and they pretty much hated this film, which surprises me that the film received a relatively high rating on IMDb, and that all of the reviews (all 4 of them, not counting mine, gave it quite a high rating). Personally, I actually quite like this movie, and every time watch it I actually enjoy it. Now, that is not simply because I am a fundamentalist Christian, I am quite the opposite – I would call myself a typical post-modern, however that does not mean that I don't like Christian movies.I guess the reason that I liked this film is because it deals with a part of the Bible that is generally not dealt with by Hollywood. I do note that the same series released a movie based on Moses and one based on David (and I think I have another one as well) however Jeremiah is actually quite an unlikely character to have a movie based upon him. It is not that his life does not make a good action movie, quite the opposite. He lived during the days when the Babylonians laid siege to Jerusalem, he was mocked, scorned, through in prison, and even thrown into a cistern, all of which the movie faithfully portrays.It also deals with the elements of Jeremiah's prophecies, that is the prophecy about the coming destruction of Jerusalem due to the sins of the people. The sin of idolatry is shown in the film, but also the fact that the poor are exploited and that injustice abounds. The character that plays Jeremiah's love interest witnesses her family sold into slavery because the creditor has the ear of the king.Another focus of the film is the struggle that the king has in accepting Jeremiah's prophecies and maintaining his power. However, the catch was that both choices led to his enslavement and Jerusalem's destruction. Unlike a period around two hundred years before where the besieging Assyrian army was wiped out by a disease (as some believe), it is clear that this was not going to happen to the Babylonians. Anyway, God had other plans for Nebucadnezzar.In the end, I really don't care what my old Christian friends have to say. I am quite pleased that such a movie was made, and that it is relatively faithful to the biblical story. However, I am also of the opinion that pretty much any movie about a biblical event, can entice the viewers to look further into what the bible has to say and how it can still influence their lives.
bkoganbing
Former Brat Packer Patrick Dempsey essays the role of Jeremiah the prophet, the last in a series of prophets sent by God foretelling of the destruction of Jerusalem if they don't turn from their ecumenical ways in allowing other Gods to be worshiped and idols to be built. Dempsey betrays not a hint of his thespian juvenile origins in his performance.When the Kingdom of Israel was split into Israel and Jusdah following the reign of King Solomon, a series of prophets from Elijah on warned that Jerusalem's destruction and the destruction of the Temple of Solomon would follow. When Jeremiah was born, Josiah was the King of Judah, Israel having fallen to the Assyrians years ago and he's put a temporary halt to foreign religious practices. But that stops at Josiah's demise. Jeremiah is a most reluctant prophet, but God choosing him as a kid puts the words in his mouth. In the end his warnings about the fall of Jerusalem prove all too true.Klaus Maria Brandauer plays Nebuchadnezzer the all powerful ruler of Babylon to whom Judah falls. Oliver Reed plays an obstinate Hebrew general who is Jeremiah's greatest foe. Both register well in their roles.Dempsey is denied earthly pleasure by God in order to serve, a heavy price indeed, but a burden he bears if not cheerfully. Sticking fairly close to the Old Testament, Jeremiah is a more accurate and more literate film than you'll find from Cecil B. DeMille if not more gaudy and spectacular.
joshualieder
I liked this movie a great deal and wish more from the series would get released on DVD. Patrick Dempsey is quite good as Jeremiah and the films message regarding the temple (stated well as the film draws to a close) makes the whole effort worthwhile. Libraries should purchase this film for their collections and everyone else...open up your Bible and follow along...its a nice visual beginning to the text.No potters wheel...but still worth a rental!