cinephile-27690
I was 3 hours and 41 minutes(or 221 minutes) into this 4 hour and 25 minute movie, and I could already call it one of the best full Jesus biography I have ever seen.
As you can probably guess, it's the Gospel of Matthew, but it's also word for word, and when a verse is read, the number is written in the corner. For example, when Jesus says "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you", 5:44 is written in the corner. It gets annoying at first, but I got used to it eventually. Plus, with prior knowledge that the Gospel is 28 chapters long, it helped know how close I was to the end.
So why is this my favorite biblical Jesus movie to me? Mainly because of how close it is to the Bible, and it's spiritually uplifting. Also, when Jesus says: "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:3) he holds a plank next to his eye, which adds humor to the Sermon scene. I also remember thinking Jesus talking for 3 chapters would be boring, but Matthew recites some sections, since he is writing them, and telling the story to some kids.
"The Visual Bible" also has an adaptation of Acts, which is something I want to check out. I'm sure that is as great, or nearly as great this this movie.
Russ Davis
As with most of those here commenting on this, I am blown away with the power and grace Bruce Marchiano brings to this masterpiece. The depth of power of his heart and eyes is so overwhelming as to be almost too great to bear; I think my heart will burst under the load save that He carries me with my light yoke (6:34 & 11:30). That it is utterly unknown but to Christians is of course the same story as with Jesus Himself, He Whom the pagans would co-opt to their own agendas and uses, a tactic that only backfires in the end as they prove from their folly that they know nothing of Him.One point I must make against those who use the profound depth of this as a platform from which to condemn Mel Gibson's equally (though differently) anointed masterpiece, The Passion of the Christ, with priceless Jim Caviezel (though I'll always regret dear Mel didn't play the title role himself which would have been beyond awesome): they're quite wrongheaded on the score, for the testimony of Bruce and his company and Jim and his company are one in describing the divine (and therefore the counterattacking demonic) manifestations so present in the making of these jewels in our Lord's crown. What great grace the Lord has brought us in these precious brothers so to condescend to grace our lives with such inspiration according to His Perfect Word.
agent_js03
This is the BEST Jesus movie I have ever seen. Everything said by Jesus and the narrator in this movie are exact words that come directly from the Bible. This also greatly portrays the actual character of Jesus Christ I highly recommend this movie.
Grog-9
I didn't like this movie at first. The production quality is that of a "B" movie and I let that get in the way of my objectivity. I was also not used to seeing Jesus portrayed as...well...human! This Jesus laughs and hugs and enjoys his friends. We are usually treated to a Jesus that is somewhat detached or "royal" in his bearing (think Jeffrey Hunter in "King of Kings"). This is not the case in this film. Once I got used to it (and IMHO this is a more accurate representation of Jesus) I really liked it!I couldn't believe that this movie follows scripture line for line. The scripture verses are actually displayed (in the lower left corner as I recall) as they are being portrayed. I expected that approach would make the film disjointed or uninteresting. But it really works well.This has become my favorite "religious movie", and I watch it with my family every Easter season.
AD
