Most Helpful Customer Reviews
63 of 64 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
a woman of courage, March 14, 2004
Of all the Bible sories, I find the The Book of Esther does not flow as easily as others, but nevertheless, this film based on the story is interesting; it is faithful to scripture, with a few additions to fill out the plot. Queen Esther is beautifully cast with English actress Louise Lombard (seen in 2004's "Hidalgo"), and Oscar-winner F. Murray Abraham excellent as her cousin and guardian Mordecai. King Ahasuerus (historically known as Xerxes) is a character I find hard to like; he appears to be an indecisive and capricious man, who puts all his trust in the evil Haman (well played by German actor Jurgen Prochnow). It is Esther who courageously stands up to Haman when he tries to annihilate all the Jews of the land. The main addition to the story is the inclusion of Ezra as a friend of Mordechai. Ezra was the scribe and priest who led a remnant of the Jewish captives back to Jerusalem, but this would come twenty years later, under the reign of King Artaxerxes, in 457 B.C. Having Ezra in the story also emphasizes the importance of God, whereas in the Book of Esther, no mention of God is made.
Directed by Raffaele Mertes (who was the cinematographer for most of the other films in this television series), it has a good score by Carlo Siliotto, lovely cinematography by Giovanni Galasso in the exotic area of Quarzazate, Morocco, with the use of a wonderful color palette in the costumes, using rich earth tones and shades of teal and olive greens. The story of Esther is the basis for the Jewish Festival of Purim, which is a grand time for children; it's a time to dress up in costumes and masks, eat sweets, and best of all, twirl one's gragger (noisemaker) whenever Haman's name is mentioned in the reading of the story.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
42 of 44 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
I cried, I laughed, I cheered, & exalted!, January 16, 2001
As a born again Christian, lover of history, beauty, & courage, Esther was such an inspiration to me. A few liberties were taken (ie. God is never mentioned in the Book of Esther, while He is in the movie.) But these liberties actually succeeded in bringing out the meaning of the Biblical story. Some of the acting done by the actors playing the eunuchs was a little stilted, but it also didn't damage the progression of the story. This movie is an excellent teaching tool to get people interested in the Bible. It tells a story of a young woman who is an example for women of all ages. Esther is courageous, honest, graceful, empathetic, & a woman of integrity & dignity. Through her bravery, faith, & wisdom she brought the enemy of her people down & gained the respect & love of her young, impetuous, & immature husband who was a reluctant king. Because of her qualities Esther didn't have to use ruthlessness & vulgarity, or dishonesty to bring down her & her people's enemies. Because of her dignity she won the place as partner with her husband in ruling Persia, & certainly her husband needed someone who could help him in his responsibilities & help him to grow up & rule responsibly. So many girls & women in our society could use Esther as their role model. She was Every Woman & a Lady! She was truly a "Liberated woman."
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
46 of 49 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
ONE OF THE BEST, January 16, 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: The Bible - Esther (DVD)
I MUST SAY I'M A CRITIC, BUT THIS MOVIE IS REALLY REALLY GREAT!! IT IS SCRIPTUAL AND THE ACTORS DID A GREAT JOB. ESTHER WAS NOT PORTRAYED AS A HOLLYWOOD STAR, BUT AS A JEW. THE KING IS THE COMIC IN THIS MOVIE. I LOVED HIS FIRST MEETING WITH ESTHER, A TRUE ROMANCE. MORDECAI AND ESTHER'S TRUE TEST OF FAITH WILL MAKE YOU LOVE THE STORY MORE. I JUST DISAGREED WITH THE PART OF ESTHER'S ENTRANCE INTO THE COURT TO SPEAK TO THE KING, WHERE HE WAS SUPPOSED TO HOLD OUT THE SCEPTURE TO HER, INSTEAD OF HIM LEAVING HIS THRONE TO MEET AND SPEAK TO HER. WELL PUT TOGETHER FOR THE 20TH CENTURY. WE DON'T SEE MUCH OF THESE BIBLICAL MOVIES NOWADAYS. THEY SHOULD MAKE MORE LIKE THESE AND THE ONES OF TIME PAST, LIKE A.D. TEN COMMANDMENTS, BEN-HER AND JESUS OF NAZARETH. THESE MOVIES MAKE YOU THINK THAT THE ACTORS AND THE SETTINGS PORTRAYED IN THE MOVIE WAS HOW IT REALLY HAPPENED. THESE PRODUCERS SPEND MILLIONS TO MAKE THESE "SO CALLED GREAT MOVIES" WITH NO SENSE AND MORALS. I REALLY WISH THEY WOULD PUT THEIR MILLIONS INTO MAKING THESE BIBLICAL MOVIES. PLEASE KEEP MAKING MORE. I THINK DANIEL AND THE THREE HEBREW BOYS WOULD MAKE AN EXCELLENT MOVIE.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
