matthangas
Movie takes a very Catholic view of John of Patmos, in that he is portrayed as the Apostle who witnessed the Crucifixion, when in fact no such hard link has ever been presented...most scholars place the writing of Revelation around 85-90 AD, almost sixty years after the crucifixion. While possible, John would have been close to 100 years old at the time of the writings...having said that, this version of the film must have been edited, because it shows scenes from 9/11 and the attack on the Twin Towers, or at least in the version I watched...which would be a mean trick, as that attack occurred two years after this movie was filmed...minor point, and there may be a number of releases...a solid telling of one of the most moving Bible stories, and one of the most vivid as well. Told, or rather shown, in a fashion that makes sense and semblance of a very cryptic writing...well done...a fitting work to end a brilliant career...
bkoganbing
The Apocalypse is essentially two films. First it's a ground to earth story about corruption in high places and persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire during the days of the Emperor Domitian. Depending on the politics of the day until Constantine became a Christian, persecution waxed and waned in those first 200 or so years. Domitian like some of his predecessors has declared himself a god and doesn't like people around who aren't recognizing his deity. So it's round up the Christians like it was during Nero and slay them, sometimes for sport and amusement. Sent to the Isle of Patmos where it is rumored that the last of the disciples of Jesus is living the Apostle John, is Benjamin Sadler who both finds John and finds true love with Christian girl Vittoria Belvedere. He also finds a lot of corruption and a great deal about himself.The aged John is played by Richard Harris and he does it well, one of his better performances in his last years. The second part of the film are the fantasy sequences that become the basis for the Book of Revelation. Do not be watching this film if you are on any kind of pharmaceuticals.The Apocalypse does have a preachy tone to it which might be off putting to many. Still it's not a bad work and should get more than church viewings.
meredithdevoe
Richard Harris's moving performance is the centerpiece of this film, in which members of the early church, struggling for faith and reassurance in the face of violent persecution, are searching for John the Beloved, last of the living apostles, who is "hiding in plain sight" on the prison island of Patmos. However, don't ignore some very good performances by several of the others. The visions of John are depicted judiciously, considering the CGI available in 2000 and the budget (that is, they don't scream "made-for-TV"); the montages do not try to show every detail but give a general idea of the visions. To watch this is a good adjunct to reading Revelation, to remind one that these fantastic visions came to a real person in a very chaotic time.
Desertman84
The Apocalypse is the story of John the Apostle comes alive on the TV screen as never before.It features Richard Harris takes the role of the biblical figure together with Vittoria Belvedere, Benjamin Sadler, Christian Kohlund and Erol Sander.It was directed by filmmaker Raffaele Mertes. In 90 A.D., the Roman emperor launches a fierce campaign against the Christians, and John is being held captive for his efforts to spread the gospel. When a young Christian named Irene arrives with hopes of visiting the last surviving witness of the Lord's passion, John entrusts her with a written record of his divine visions that will eventually form the Book of Revelations. This is an excellent TV movie about John the Apostle and it gives the viewer more insight about the Book Of Revelations.Also,Harris' portrayal is worth noting considering that it happens to be his last film before he passed away.Overall,it a recommended and worth watching.
AD
