The Bible - Abraham [1994] [DVD]

I have chosen this rating beause this film was involving. One could put yourself into this film and see which character you would be in it. Richard Harris' acting was superb, as always, and the, though all not widely known, were very good actors. I liked everything about the movie, it was true to the bible, ok it wandered a little, but all in all true to Abraham's calling and his answer to the Lord. Very worthwhile watching, will recommend this to friends but don't know if many would buy it. You really have to be interested in these kind of films to purchase them. It opened up the story of Abraham to me, in film you visualise more (well I do) and it opens up your understanding. I understand more by seeing than by reading. You see the whole picture in film. A great DVD.

What a classic! Brilliant acting by Richard Harris. There Is only one fault I can find and that is! The review written on the back cover! Two not three of the World's religions can look back to Abraham. Mohammed was the founder and Father of Islam. Two great people groups look to Abraham as their Father! They arr Jews and Arabs.

Joseph Sargent, director of countless TV episodes and movies of everything from `Star Trek' and `Gunsmoke' to the movie `Jaws: The Revenge', does an admirable job of telling the story of Abraham here over 3 hours. It certainly has an authentic feel to it, but critically it scores plaudits for portraying Abraham in such a human, down to earth and easy to understand way. Richard Harris heads a starry cast, making us really believe in the reality of a man who became the father of nations. All the key moments are shown, through from deciding to leave Haran for Egypt, through to the births of his sons Ishmael and Isaac, and the final altar scene with Isaac. This is an apt place to end, for the underlying theme shown is that of sacrifice and loving God above all. When sacrificing, Isaac is reminded by his father to `pick the lamb you love the most, for in this way you are showing God you put him before all'. It is this underlying understanding of the seemingly old fashioned concept of burnt sacrifice that is all too relevant to us today. For a TV movie, the production values are not bad, and mostly on location - the only let down moment being the destruction of Sodom which is only glimpsed and what we do glimpse is poorly done. However, the restrained way in which the other key events are shown are very realistic, and the cast all add significant gravitas to proceedings. Other key performers are Maximillian Schell as the Pharaoh - surprisingly effective, and Barbara Hershey as Sara, Abrahams wife. Recommended not just for those already familiar with the story, but as a good summary for those discovering the story for the first time.

This dvd is good for all those who love to understand Christianity in detail,the packaging was good & it was also delivered on time.

This is one of the best films I've seen. It portrays Abraham as a searching man whose faith is constantly challenged by God. Acting is excellent and the film is faithful to the Biblical story. It is also very good tool to use in the secondary schools.

There are obvious difficulties when re-telling such a remarkable life, how do you fit it all in to a 3-hour visualization, what do you include, what do you leave out, it is also to be expected that film makers will take artistic liberty where the original text is silent. Then there is the problem of the viewers expectation, if it’s a Biblical re-telling we generally expect a grand sweeping epic, but the days of big movie Cecil B De-Mille Biblical epics are long gone! That all aside I have to admit this re-telling was not unrecognisable from the Biblical narrative of Genesis. Richard Harris gives a pretty good rendering of a very human Abraham, an Abraham with doubts, fears and concerns. Barbara Hershey as Sarah also has a feel of authenticity. Hagar, is very believable and it’s not difficult to feel her pain. Unfortunately some of the background, scenery and extras make this feel like a TV movie – which is exactly what it is. This can be overlooked but where I felt this was let down was in the obvious ‘epic’ Biblical moments, God telling Abraham to journey to a land unknown, Abraham’s anxiety sending Hagar and Ishmael away and a very ‘flat’ final scene when Abraham is about to lose the son of promise. Had there been more pathos in these scenes it would have lifted this from a 3 to a 4 star. Overall, though not too shabby, given it is a TV movie. Jeremiah, Joseph, Moses and Daniel from the same series make for better viewing.

This is a fantasic piece of acting by Richard Harris. My attention was held throughout the entire film. And when it ended I was left wanting more. So much so that opened my Bible to learn more about Abraham. This film really does bring the Bible to life. Well done.

One of the better productions of the Bible based TV movies. The extraordinary talents of the actors really gave life to this ancient tale. Well worth the time to endulge in the era, background, costumes and a certain amount of artistic licence. Good work.

Except for the one corny line at the end of the movie which is not in the Bible at all, this movie is incredibly well done. See my other review for Moses - same goes for this moive. Very well done. Just the realism of Abrahams encounters with God (like the ones of Moses), keep me watching this movie over and over again.

C'est un très bon film qui respecte l'histoire telle que décrit dans la Bible. Le prix est abordable. Je le recommande à tout le monde.

Alles Bestens. Vielen Dank.

I don't know where to start except to say I absolutely loved this movie. Richard Harris was wonderful as Abraham. They portray Abraham as a strong leader and a man of God. He was positive and always obeyed God. He did not question when God told him to pickup, take his family and leave his father's house. It takes a strong faith to start over in another land. The writers did a lot of research and this movie is very close to the Bible. This movie is full of talented actors & actresses. They all played their parts well. I was especially touched by Abraham and Isaac. Abraham trained his son well. He explained why Isaac was to sacrifice the best to God. Isaac did it without question. In the scene where Abraham & Isaac were walking up the mountain and Isaac made the comment there were no animals at that altitude so where were they to find a sacrifice to God. It was only when Abraham took out the rope that Isaac realized "he" was the sacrifice. He had seen the rope many times when they sacrificed an animal. I know this story but I couldn't stop crying when Isaac said to his father it was ok he understood. I wonder how we would do in that situation. Would our faith be as strong as Abraham? I've always loved Richard Harris. He has played some brilliant roles but he was exceptional as Abraham. We teach a 2nd grade class at church and we show them bible movies. The children don't care for the animated stories they like the real movies. We have shown them several movies and they have learned many things we had studied in our lessons. The children have told us the movie makes it "real" for them. They can see the things in their books. In the movies they see how people dressed in those days, how they lived and what their homes were like and how they worshipped God. I must mention that we preview "every" movie before we show it. As teachers of God's word it is important that everything we teach them is according to the Bible. Just because a movie is labeled as a "bible movie" does not make it by the Bible and it's teachings. This is one of the best bible movies I've seen. This is a great movie for both children and adults.

Je n'ai pas pu visionner ce DVD en français. Il ne contient pas le choix 'Langue'. ce qui est dommage. Comme pour "Joseph" j'aurai donné une meilleure note. J'aimerai savoir si ce DVD existe en version française. Merci.