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The Visual Bible: Matthew (1993)

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19 comments in total

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7 out of 7 people found the following comment useful :-
A very real and human Jesus, 24 April 2002
Author: siri-3 from Quebec, Canada

I don't know how often I have watch this movie over the last few years. Bruce Marchiano's portrait of Jesus was inspired. His Jesus is wonderfully human, you can literally feel his love, anguish, pain, etc. He heals people and then is not above sharing their joy by rolling in the dust with them, hugging and kissing. Non-Christians who watch this movie might not understand, but he certainly helped to strengthen my faith. The crucifixion scene is very powerful and real and left a lasting impression on me as to what crucifixion was like, the pain, humiliation, filth etc. The cast was well chosen and complimented the movie; after all the people it depicts where mostly simple people, fishermen, farmers etc. and I don't believe that more well-known actors could have brought the characters to life the same way, especially Simon Peter.

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5 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :-
Great!, 30 July 2003
Author: agent_js03 from tx

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.

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5 out of 5 people found the following comment useful :-
A Great interpretation of the greatest man who ever lived., 6 January 2002

Author: jm1972

Whether you're crazy about Jesus or not, this is an eye-opening film. It is so different to see an extremely warm, passionate, human, divine, and SMILING Jesus! The movie, which uses no other words than those found the Bible (New International Version), tells the story of the humble Jewish carpenter who changed the world forever. The director doesn't try dazzle the audience with "eye-popping" angles or camera tricks, but rather shows the life of Jesus in a simple way.

The are several little highlights that decorate the picture. One, for instance, is when Jesus and his buddies play under a waterfall like a bunch of kids. Another is when they all decide to have a little wrestling brawl just to be goofy. Throughout the picture, it shows Jesus teaching his disciples (the buddies) in a way that a father teaches his child the things of life. With all its color and fun,however, the film can get serious real fast. Constant death threats are made against this new Rabbi. Jesus bashes the Jewish religious leaders and publicly announces them as hypocrites. The line is drawn, and the road to Golgotha begins. The film shows the brutal reality of the crucifixion, and the incredible hope that came through the resurrection. The movie ends almost with a question from Jesus himself. "Ok," says Jesus. "You've seen the movie about me, but who do YOU think I am?"

Like I said, whether you're crazy about Jesus or not, it's an interesting movie to look at (if you don't mind the length!). It shows Jesus as he was from a Biblical perspective. Funny, kind, patient, a friend of the friendless. Check it out! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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4 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
The title of the movie says it. It makes the Bible visual., 27 October 2004
Author: toffe-2 from Örebro, Sweden

This movie is amazing. Absolutely amazing. It's easy to tell that the actors and the people that worked on this movie really have a heart for the message. I'll start with the drawbacks.... It's rather obvious that there was not a "Passion of the Christ"-amount of money put into the movie. Maybe more people in some scenes would make them more powerful. But most of these drawbacks are only cosmetic. It's a great idea to only use the Bible-text. They used the NIV (New International Translation) for this movie, and I believe it must have been a true challenge to make the words come alive so much. But they REALLY do it. I love the way Jesus is showed here. The way he laugh with people, and the way he cries when he speaks of the ones who will not hear the call. It is a Jesus that is close to the people. See it!

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4 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
The greatest Jesus movie I have ever seen., 20 June 2004
Author: texaszilaci

Yes, Christ was probably somebody like this movie shows.

Loving people, loving life, very accessible, feeling sorry

for the people when when criticizing them. Word by word,

the Gospel of Matthew. I would be very pleased to see the

other Gospels from these film makers and actors. I hope, they will make them. It is also a great idea that the name of the actor who is playing Jesus is not shown anywhere. Even International Movie Database does not show that. I had to search the internet to find the actor's name out.

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4 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
Best Ever, 9 June 2003

Author: Scott A. Birman from Ohio

By far the best biblical movie I have ever seen. The strict adherence of the script word for word with the Bible was unique and wonderful. Bruce Marchiano's portrayal of Jesus was amazing and truly brought out the magnificence of the Lord.

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4 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
It's a miracle if you do this book justice..., 9 June 2003
Author: critic_w from United States

Let's face it; if you have ever read a book before you saw the movie, the movie always paled in comparison. Some say that's because the movie could never do justice to what our own minds have pictured. The movie is destined, to some degree, to disappoint our vision of what things looked like as we read the authors words, and none of the actors will look or say things just as we envisioned it. Well if that's true, what would be the hardest book to film in the history of mankind? You guessed it, the Holy Bible; the best selling, and most widely read book of all time. And making matters more difficult is the fact that even those who haven't read the book will be comparing your portrayals to any of a half dozen that have come before.

Well, considering such extreme challenges, somehow director Reghardt van den Bergh, producer Dan Johnson and adapter Johann Potgieter have served up a miraculous production. It simply is a movie that rises above others on this near and dear topic. From the actors they selected to the locations, the resulting movie is simple and unadorned, and in this critic's opinion, the most easily received rendition ever produced. Devout and skeptic alike can enjoy this portrayal of a loving and greatly empathetic Christ. Bruce Marchiano, who plays Jesus, plays Him full of love and compassion. He's down to earth (no pun) and personally involved in the well being of everyone He meets. The viewer can feel His caring. It's simply the best portrayal to date. The supporting talent is also excellent in this production, which is so realistic it seems to be quiet. Now, as we all know, there is trauma in this story, and when appropriate, it does get uncomfortable to watch. but not gratuitously. They simply got it right. I realize that in the millions, or billions of other readers of this story, there's room for differing opinions, but upon second or third viewing, I think many would lean in this reviewer's direction. and I score this film a perfect 10.

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3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
About the best one around just now, 30 April 2005

Author: (Romayne@ntlworld.com) from United Kingdom

Forget the Passion - THIS is the film to view if you really want to know more about who Jesus is, and His life here for 33 years on this planet. Unlike any other version I've watched, the producers, directors, most of the main actors and supporting staff of this film were ALL Christians themselves, who prayed regularly over every single scene AND again unlike any other edition, they held EXACTLY to what scripture said as the ultimate script - absolutely nothing was added in - some occasions required a voice over where to reenact the scene may have proved somewhat inappropriate (e.g. the Angels at the Tomb), but other than that, this is absolutely categorically the best one in my view. Sad that it's often neglected or overshadowed by more 'secular' versions. Bruce Marchiano who played Jesus in this one continues on to have an awesome ministry following his portrayal of a 'different' Jesus to the stereotype.

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3 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
Enthralling, 25 January 2003

Author: angel-280 from Minnesota

I just re-watched this not too long ago, and was reminded again of the beauty of this film. The film opens with narrative by the late Richard Kiley, who plays the role of the elderly Matthew the Apostle. Compelling performances by Mr. Kiley and Bruce Marciano, among others, make this a film you can watch over and over. Also, the area they were filming in (Morrocco, I believe) is absolutely stunning.

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2 out of 3 people found the following comment useful :-
Powerful, anointed masterpiece imbued with the fire of God, 26 May 2005

Author: Russ Davis (russed@onlyinternet.net) from Fort Wayne, IN

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.

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