The Visual Bible: Matthew (1993)

People are voting emotionally.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

I have seen almost every film concerning Jesus and His ministry to date. And I must say that this is by far the most moving depiction of Jesus I've ever seen. Jesus wasn't some stone faced, emotionless, robot...he was a man. He felt sorrow, he grew tired, he laughed, and he cried. He had every emotion that we have had. And if you've read the Gospels you already know this. The fact that this is a word for word account of the Gospel According to Matthew (NIV) makes it even better.It is not some overblown Hollywood rendition...so if you're looking for great special effects then you'll be disappointed. I recently re-watched Jesus of Nazareth, and it made me appreciate this movie even more. And I have no idea how that movie can be so highly rated give just how inaccurate it truly is.And to me this is a great Bible study tool for anyone who is just starting to read the Gospels...it's the Gospel of Matthew come to life in the form of a movie. So, you can read along in your Bible as you watch.This movie is a blessing just waiting for anyone wanting to grow closer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The bible gives us every thing we need to find salvation in Jesus Christ. It was how ever not written to give us every detail of His life and so we are left to guess and speculate on the secondary unimportant things. This movie gives a beautiful interpretation of how Jesus might have interacted with his disciples. Even when he is rebuking his disciples he is doing it with a laugh, loving smile and a hug. Like it says in the Gospel of Matthew 11:28 "A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory." It is a beautiful and interesting interpretation of how Jesus might have been. Definitely watch this movie!

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.

If ever there was a visual account of Jesus that should be used as an evangelical teaching tool, (second to the Bible) by any Christian believer - THIS IS IT! I would recommend and use it quite easily over Mel Gibson's The Passion. Thankfully, not too much time is given to Him suffering before and at Calvary. The Passion, I think, overdoes it and tells the viewing public that a good man died a too harsh a death.This DVD/Video uses the N.I.V. Bible line for line, and is enacted out as though you were there in the presence of the Saviour Himself. It also shows Him to have emotion. Suddenly, the Gospels come alive! This visual account easily over-rides any account of Jesus Hollywood has ever tried to create.