The Visual Bible: Matthew (1993)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Regardt van den Bergh

Writer:

Johann Potgieter (writer)

Release Date:

1 October 1993 (South Africa)

Genre:

History

Plot Keywords:

Christianity | Christian Film | Jesus Christ | 1st Century

Cast

Richard Kiley	...	Old Matthew
Gerrit Schoonhoven	...	Peter
Bruce Marchiano	...	Jesus
Dawid Minnaar	...	Judas
Kevin Smith	...	John the Beloved
Hannes Muller	...	Andrew
Charlton George	...	James
Jaqques De Klerk	...	Bartholomew
Sean Cameron Michael	...	Thomas (as Sean Michael)
Tony Joubert	...	James Alpheus
Darryl Fuchs	...	Simon the Zealot
Jonathan Pienaar	...	Thaddeus
Patrick Mynhardt	...	Herod Senior
Chris Truter	...	Herod Junior
Joanna Weinberg	...	Mary

Also Known As:

Jesus the Christ (USA) (video title)
The Gospel of Matthew

Country:

South Africa

Language:

English

Filming Locations:

Cape Town, South Africa

Company:

Visual Bible

Movie Connections:

Edited into Visual Bible for Kids (1998) (TV)

A Great interpretation of the greatest man who ever lived.

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.