ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND THE OLD TESTAMENT
What are we to expect of Old Testament movies? Scholars disagree on the degree of historicity regarding biblical data, but nearly everyone acknowledges the remarkably unique literary and theological story of the Old Testament. So, a movie about the Old Testament should portray some or all of these aspects, even for those who deny the historicity of the text. None of these films, of course, are a substitute for reading, but many of them are fine attempts that capture aspects of a text that is foundational to many cultures and the most unique expression of political ideas in history.
The Bible: In the Beginning (1966)
Date: Primordial Time
IMDb Synopsis: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060164/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Bible-Ava-Gardner/dp/B000UL26O2/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Noah (2014)
Date: Primordial Time
IMDb Synopsis: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1959490/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Noah-Russell-Crowe/dp/B00JB3MVCW
Land of the Pharaohs (1955)
Date: 26th century BC
Cinematic Quality: 3 stars
Historical Accuracy: 2 stars
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An old rollicking flick about the building of the great pyramid by Khufu. It is far more fiction than fact with love triangles, secret passageways, bloodthirsty tyrants, freedom-seeking foreign slaves, and a few plot holes to patch it all together, but it’s fun enough to watch in the background or use to reinforce an introduction to Egyptian history for the kiddos.
Suitable for children, with some mild violence and heavy themes.
For context, read Shaw’s The Oxford History of Ancient History or Herodotus’ Histories Book 2, upon which the character sketch of Khufu is based.
Abraham (1993)
Date: Early Bronze Age
Cinematic Quality: 4 stars
Historical Accuracy: 4 stars
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The Story of Jacob and Joseph (1974)
Date: Middle Bronze Age
IMDb Synopsis: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0072211/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Story-Jacob-Joseph-Harry-Andrews/dp/B008HJT30Y
Joseph (1995)
Date:
The Ten Commandments (1956)
Date: Late Bronze Age
IMDb Synopsis: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049833/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Ten-Commandments-Charlton-Heston/dp/B000J0XJC2
Moses (1995)
Date: Late Bronze Age
IMDb Synopsis: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117086/
Available to watch on Youtube.
Exodus Gods and Kings (2014)
Date: Late Bronze Age
IMDb Synopsis: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1528100/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Exodus-Gods-Kings-Christian-Bale/dp/B00QWUJMV0
Troy (2004)
Date: Late Bronze Age
IMDb Synopsis: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0332452/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Troy-Brad-Pitt/dp/B001N4L38K
Samson and Delilah (1949)
Date: Early Iron Age
IMDb Synopsis: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0041838/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Delilah-Hedy-Lamarr/dp/B00819EQR0
Samson and Delilah (1996)
Date: Early Iron Age
IMDb Synopsis: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117547/
Available to watch on Youtube.
Samson (2018)
Date: Early Iron Age
IMDb Synopsis: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6951892/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Samson-Jackson-Rathbone/dp/B079XVWQDN
This epic rendition of the biblical story elaborates on a short four chapters of the Old Testament, but the elaborations don’t stray far from the text or the historical period. It has some inaccuracies, such as monumental architecture for the Moabites and Israelite households that are far too elaborate, but it is a very nuanced take on the flaws and laws of “God’s chosen people.” The movie deserves its four stars for capturing the literary theme of the movie: two heroines bound together by their common faith and loyalty to one another. The movie is close to perfect in this regard.
It also has some nice touches regarding refugees/immigrants (which my refugee-scholar wife appreciates). The finest parts are found in the third quarter which show a fictional but true-to-the-spirit interplay of political and personal forces that fit within the context of the time. The “trial” shown is a tad anachronistic, but all of the moral questions raised by local judges, officials, and witnesses are a great take on the spirit of covenantal law. The film even features the entrance of another theo-political actor, the prophet, which I really appreciate. All of these scenes highlight the Old Testament / Hebraic notion that what you believe and are loyal to matters more than from whom and where you were born.
Suitable for children.
For context, read the biblical book itself. For secondary sources, I suggest any of a number of great commentaries on Ruth.
The Story of Ruth (1960)
Date: Early Iron Age
Cinematic Quality: 4 stars
Historical Accuracy: 4 stars
Available on YouTube.
IMDb Synopsis: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054343/
This is a TV miniseries, but it is relatively well done on the low budget. You have to get past the ultra-70s portrayal of David in the first half of the movie. Timothy Bottoms plays young David well at times, but the curly hair and the trilly voice have got to go! Every time he plays his harp, all I see is Woodstock in the background. Keith Mitchell is great as the elder David, as he is in all historical miniseries like Jacob in the Story of Jacob and Henry VIII. Other solid portrayals include Anthony Quayle as Saul and Jane Seymore as Bathsheeba. Apparently Jane Seymore has a thing for adulterous kings played by Mitchell!
I like the sympathetic portrayal of Saul, and the political maneuverings between the different functionaries in Israel are nicely done. As with most of these biblical films, there’s too much ashlar masonry too early, but otherwise, the humble origins of Israel’s United Kingdom work much better with a lower budget that can’t afford sets that would have been too elaborate for the time period. I want to see rubble! The film portrays all the famous exploits of David from Goliath to Philistine fighters to Bathsheeba affairs, but a supporting cast that sticks close to the biblical narrative make the film exceptional, with Jonathan, Abner, David’s wives, biblical prophets, Achish of Gath, and David’s “mighty men” making appearances.
Often these minor characters bring out the best in the film, like when the Machiavellian Joab points out David’s own Machiavellianism when he says: “Who knows you David, who knows what you’ll do. Do you even know?” Depicting the complications that come with royal dynasties, the family politics in part 2 are the finest aspect of the film. The movie does a fine job of visualizing the Bible’s perspective that political power is always 2 things: messy and provisional.
Suitable for children, but beware some heavy themes and violence.
For context, read the 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. Good commentaries include those by Word Biblical Commentary, NICOT, and Robert Alter.
The Story of David (1976)
Date: Early Iron Age I
Cinematic Quality: 3 stars
Historical Accuracy: 4 stars
IMDb Synopsis: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075271/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Barabbas-Anthony-Quinn/dp/B00455KTGQ/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
With Leonard Nimoy as Samuel and Franco Nero as Nathan, the cast of prophets is worthy of their position. Jonathan Pryce also plays a fantastic Saul and Joab is very well played by Maurice Roëves. Unlike the 1976 version, more screen time is dedicated to developing the character of David, but at the expense of the supporting cast. The choice works well for this movie, as you feel far more committed to David, his decisions, and his troubles. The battle scenes leave much to be desired, and the architecture is too monumental and refined for the time period, but these are mistakes common to most movies about the period. The score by Carlo Siliotto is excellent for a TV movie, and some of the stylistic and thematic decisions make you forget you’re watching a B-movie at times.
The portrayal of David is more sympathetic than the 1976 film, which makes this a nice contrast if you watch them back to back. The filmmakers also choose to include a number of Psalms, which would frustrate those critics who doubt his authorship, but the artistry in their delivery is excellent. The latter half of David’s reign is probably the best part of the film, even better than the 1976 version, filled with ethical dilemmas and political nuance, especially with relation to personal failings with political consequences. The portrayal of Absalom’s rebellion is detailed, portraying the dueling intelligence networks and the contrast between weak but wise David and virile but foolish Absalom quite nicely. The conclusion is soooo good. Overall, the movie does a fine job of accurately capturing the tortured disappointments of one who nonetheless died leaving his people and the biblical narrative with so much hope.
Suitable for children, but beware some heavy themes and violence.
For context, see the film above.
David (1997)
Date: Early Iron Age I
Cinematic Quality: 4 stars
Historical Accuracy: 4 stars
Available to watch on YouTube
IMDb Synopsis: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118933/
David and Bathsheeba (1951)
Date: Early Iron Age
IMDb Synopsis: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043455/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/David-Bathsheba-Gregory-Peck/dp/B005SAY1IE/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Solomon and Sheba (1959)
Date: Early Iron Age
IMDb Synopsis: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053290/
Amazon Video: https://www.amazon.com/Solomon-Sheba-Yul-Brynner/dp/B00950VWQ2/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
This is an adequate follow-up to the 1997 David movie by the same producers. It is less sweeping and compelling. Ben Cross is aptly cast and plays Solomon well from the young aspirational prince to the cynical old king. Good features of the film include the depiction of the ruthless dynastic politics of David’s sons, the somewhat fictional relationship between Jeroboam and Solomon, and the wily prophet at the movie’s end.
I have to ding the accuracy somewhat for the lengthy section with the Queen of Sheba. Based more on later traditions than earlier sources, this section is interesting and well done, but lacks veracity. Having said that, whether or not the Sheba elaboration is true, the story is representative of Solomon’s troubles.
Some sensual scenes make this movie unsuitable for children unless you edit them out.
For context, see the biblical book of 1 Kings 1-12. As for secondary sources, try the biblical commentaries recommended elsewhere in this section.
Solomon (1997)
Date: Early Iron Age
Cinematic Quality: 3 stars
Historical Accuracy: 3 stars
IMDb Synopsis: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0143889/
Available to watch on Youtube.