Product Details

• Actors: Martin Sheen, Alan Arkin, Eileen Brennan, Ralph Bellamy, Richard Libertini
• Directors: Michael Ray Rhodes
• Writers: Henry van Dyke, Tom Fontana
• Producers: Michael Ray Rhodes, Ellwood Kieser, Lewis Abel
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Number of tapes: 1
• VHS Release Date: June 1, 1985
• Run Time: 72 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00000FZ1A
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #152,476 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Based on Henry van Dyke’s classic, The Story of the Other Wise Man, this fictional story set in Biblical times is told in gently comic terms. A Magi named Artaban (Martin Sheen) sees a sign in the heavens that he hopes will lead him and his faithful servant to the Messiah. Artaban takes with him three precious gifts to present to the Messiah. For 33 years Artaban pursues Jesus, only to miss Him at every turn. Along the way, Artaban uses his gifts to help people in dire need. He now has nothing to present to the Messiah when he finds Him. The story culminates on Easter Sunday as Artaban, old and dying, finally encounters the new King, bringing peace to his life. A deeply moving experience examining what true faith really means. Starring Martin Sheen and Alan Arkin.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the fourth wise man, January 14, 2001

By 

rob kaiser (West Chester, PA usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fourth Wise Man [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I was crying most of the time, a wonderful story of a man who was seeking the Truth, a life long search that ended in victory, he found Jesus Christ, but to his amazement, he had seen him all along because of the verse Jesus gave him, "whatever you have done to the least of these you have done for me". On the mans search, he stopped to help a leper colony and ended up spending his whole life there helping them out. At the end of his life he thought he had missed seeing Jesus but Jesus did appear to him and quoted the above verse. He had been with Jesus his whole life since he had been taking care of "the least of these".

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A moving experience - a living Gospel lesson, May 30, 2002

By 

Peter Bistolarides ""on the bleeding edge... (Saginaw, Mi, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

I saw this movie as part of a course on pastoral care of the sick. If anything reinforces the sacred act of ministry to the poor and sick, and to the mystery of healing, it is this film. Would that we could bring that message to the healing professions on a wider basis. I agree with the other reviewers - the acting was superb, but it was the story which has an impact. I especially enjoyed Alan Arkin's character - an alternative model of faithfulness - he does what is asked of him, though he does it under protest.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars SEARCHING FOR JESUS IN ALL THE RIGHT PLACES, November 30, 1999

By 

----john J. Butera (WOODLAND PARK, CO USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Fourth Wise Man [VHS] (VHS Tape)

this is a film that should be a modern day classic. i can not tell this story to friends without crying as this movie did touch me that much so long ago. the theme is timeless and a gospel truth. i wholeheartedly recommend this film and can't wait to get it to see it again its been way too long since i have seen it. i feel this would be an excellent film for the whole family as it brings forth the true meaning of charity and sacrifice and all done from a heart that is searching for GOD. young and old will enjoy and be challenged by this film. it is just a beautiful story. GOD bless ad enjoy jb