Biblical TV and Video

The Living Bible Collection  (1952)
The early 1950s saw the release of two epic church produced movies on the life of Christ. The first was the 6 hour production of "The Living Christ" (1951) which was presented in 12 half-hour installments. This was followed one year later with another 6 hour film - also serialized into twelve 30 minute segments - entitled "Jesus, the Christ" (1952). The later is the first of four films to appear on "The Living Bible Collection". The significance of these two films is that they are the strongest pictures to date on the life of Jesus Complaints are relatively minor;however, as this film is very comprehensive and has tons to offer. Ths movie covers more post resurrection action than any other Jesus film I've seen. "The Living Bible Collection" also contains the epic "The Acts of the Apostles", the epic "Old Testament Stories", and the short film "The Power of the Resurrection". I believe that all of the films wre produced by the same church organization. Well worth your time and money!!! (Amazon Lucy Poems)

I beheld his glory (1953) - Family Theater Productions
This "Family Theater" presentation from 1953 is a most commendable account of Jesus' last days, crucifixion, and resurrection. The most noteworthy thing about it is the fact that it presents the Passion from the point of view of a Roman centurion who witnessed several of the key events in the story. Not only does this centurion accept Jesus as his Savior, we find him telling the story of Jesus' death and resurrection to some of Christ's Jewish followers in a town outside of Jerusalem. Despite the inclusion of flashbacks within flashbacks (a technique I usually decry quite vocally), this modest production quite effectively brings the Gospel to life in the space of just 55 minutes. Hearing a character outside of Jesus' contemporary followers declare "I beheld His Glory" makes this film particularly memorable to me. (Amazon Daniel Jolley "darkgenius" (Shelby, North Carolina USA)

The power of the resurrection (1958, 1962)
This takes yet another viewpoint – with the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion being recounted to a Christian novice by Simon Peter (Richard Kiley) at the time of his own execution. (IMDB MARIO GAUCI (marrod@melita.com) from Naxxar, Malta)

The Story of Jacob and Joseph. PG. 1974. TV MOVIE
"Jacob and Joseph" is top-notch. The acting is much better than the typical Bible film. The characters speak and act like real people, not cardboard cutouts. The writing tells the stories faithfully, without unnecessary additions, yet in a refreshing way that even after over three decades is enjoyable to watch. A must-see and must-keep. (IMDB daddytolman from United States)

Moses (1975) TV Movie - Burt Lancastor

This Lancaster epic is a transitional movie—between the big—budgeted blockbusters of the '50s—'60s,and the small decent honest TV Biblical stories of the '90s. The film is not very inspired, nor very appealing; its main merit is the cast. Lancaster performs in a conventional Hollywoodian way the disconcerting and enigmatic Old Testament prophet. (IMDB Cristi_Ciopron from CGSM, Soseaua Nationala 49)

The Story of David: From Shepherd To King Of Israel (1976) TV
This is a very accurate portrayal of David from teen years to his death. I could follow along in the Bible with the movie. I like how they use God's name in Hebrew Yahweh throughout. It was filmed in Israel so the setting was real. (IMDB Steve Klemetti (sklemetti@geocities.com) from Michigan USA)

Greatest Heroes of the Bible (1978)

The Bible, by way of "Fantasy Island", 15 February 2005

Fans of The Bible and "The Love Boat" both, finally have a video series made to order! Nowhere else can one find all the heroic and awe-inspiring stories of The Bible enacted by the likes of Jan and Greg Brady, Joanie Cunningham, Potsie, Ralph, The Riddler, Lurch, Pamela Ewing, Doc Bricker and many more!

Seventy-six year-old Jory provides weighty opening narration to this 4 part series (subsequently broken down into 15 individual episodes) featuring Noah, David and Goliath, Joseph, Esther, Samson and Delilah, Moses and others. Each story features a jaw-dropping blend of actors, some acting their heart out and some walking though it (and only a few of which are listed here! Gene Barry, Daniel J. Travanti, Beverly Garland, Lainie Kazan and John Larroquette are just some of the performers to be found in this series!)

There is a definite reverence to the tone of the stories, but a lot of the dramatic heft is undercut by the low budget and the amateurish direction and acting of the lesser players. The extras, in particular, often look ludicrous standing around in their togas as if they're wondering when the box lunch will be brought out.

The series succeeds in flushing out certain story points that large scale movies don't have time for, such as the pagan priests during Noah's time or the political and military situation surrounding David and Goliath. Even though these casts are an irresistible draw for cult TV fans and camp followers, the stories would have come across as a lot more profound if they'd have axed the "Happy Days" and "Brady Bunch" performers and stuck with the talents of the more established stars.

Funniest Highlight: In the "Abraham's Sacrifice" episode, Beverly Garland is buried under tons of age makeup, but when God allows her to be fertile again, she develops long, lustrous hair, loses the wrinkles and has a ton of glamorous make-up on!!

Runner up is Rossen as Potiphar's wife in a Roseanne Roseannadanna fright wig rolling around trying to seduce Joseph (Sam Bottoms.) (IMDB Poseidon-3 from Cincinnati, OH)

The Thirtenth Day: The Story of Easter (1979) NOT ON VIDEO TV

Aired as a one-hour special on ABC-TV, this drama told the Old Testament story of a young queen who had to defend both herself and her people after a power-mad advisor convinces her husband that she must die. (IMDB Written by Campbell

The Nativity (1978) NOT ON DVD

This movie is an example of how a TV-movie can be better than a theatrical film. This TV-movie rises above low budget and primitive production values with the radiant performance of Madeleine Stowe as the Virgin Mary. This was her first movie, and Hollywood really missed the boat not recognizing her great abilities here. It took them another 14 years to recognize her as a star. In my opinion she is the best actress of her generation. The production maintains a simple, straightforward attitude about the story of Christ's birth. It tells the story with a down-to-earth feel, and Mary and Joseph were better understood as people, by me, after seeing this. The film achieves real profundity and power to move, rare these days. It is a real gem. I hope this comes out on DVD someday. Are you listening, Hollywood? (IMDB (tsalagicelt) from New York, NY, USA)

I Paul (1980) Released on Video (NOT ON DVD)
Actor Fred Scolay portrays Paul, delivering his final message in prison. The beautiful text of the King James Version comes alive in this one-man soliloquy as Paul thinks, writes, and speaks his final words knowing that death is near. Though the message addressed to the young Timothy, Paul is shedding his mantle and mission on all Christians yet to come. It is a defense of his life, his shortcomings and the glories he has known in his ministry and missionary tasks. It is more so, a man, firmly rooted in and sharing his God, his Savior, Jesus Christ, and his forward look to his life soon to begin with his Lord in heaven. (IMDB Written by Church and Synagogue Library Association)

One Who Was There (1980)
After witnessing Jesus Christ's ministry, miracles, crucifixion and ultimate resurrection, Mary Magdalene (Maureen O'Sullivan) travels from Jerusalem to Galilee in 64 A.D., shrouded by the disillusionment and despair of her memories as she awaits the return of the savior. Yet as she meets and talks with others about her painful experiences, she relives the resurrection and realizes that her faith is much stronger than she once believed it to be. (Netflix)

Samson and Deliah (1984) NOT ON DVD starring Max Von Sydow, Belinda Bauer, Antony Hamilton, Daniel Stern and Victor Mature, who played Samson in the 1949 film, having a small cameo as the father of Antony Hamilton's Samson.

This was an interesting film, I was expecting something that would be fairly Biblical in its storytelling, but although it was based on the Bible, some of the elements were out of order, missing, added to or changed too much for it to be an accurate representation of what the Bible tells us in the book of Judges about the life of Samson.(IMDB Avoura from London, UK)

Ben Hur (2010) NOT ON VIDEO TV
I've read a few comments saying you shouldn't compare it with the 1959 version since this is a mini-series and everything, but how couldn't you!! The storyline is literally the same, it's almost a perfect copy of the 1959 film, without the goods. Sometimes you feel like your watching a version made by a bunch of friends on youtube, it's almost the same dialogs in some moments, it's ridiculous! I just don't understand why this was made... I had real expectations about this, I loved the 1959 picture and since it's so widely known by the public I was expecting something new, with an other angle or something... not a plain copy. (INDB raphaelgrana-1 from Switzerland)