Customer Reviews

Joseph [VHS]

5 star:		(115)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This account of the Joseph story is as good as it gets! I teach ancient history and civilizations, and have an earned doctorate in theology. I say this only to lend perspective to this review.

This film is Biblically accurate, well-acted, and the producer and director are to be praised for the sound Biblical reasearch!

Although some of the sexually explicit (though historically accurate) scenes should be screened from the very young, this film is an ideal platform from which teens can search out characteristics of moral uprightness in a character of whom the Bible has not one negative thing to say!

Kingsley (as he did in 'Moses') steals the show, and Mercurio does an admirable job as Joseph. Only Leslie Ann Warren (Potipher's wife) seems to strain as an actor, nevertheless, her performance detracts little from the drama. Especially capable are the actors portraying Joseph's wicked brothers, with Vincenzo Nicoli sterling is his performance as the wicked Simeon.

Having watched the film dozens of times with adults--as well as with my middle-schoolers in the classroom, I can say that the greatest of Bible stories is captured in all its power, pathos, and glory. Although creating a few anachronistic vignettes (such as Joseph's 'foreshadowing' Christ's "My God, my God..." speech from the Egyptian prison), the film also captures all of the great ironies of the Joseph story.

When Mercurio tenderly reveals himself as the second most powerful man in the ancient world--to the brothers who hated him as a youth, the words 'I am Joseph' will not fail to bring even the most calloused heart to tears.

As my students synthesized the thirty or so characteristics of moral goodness extant in Joseph into an essay, one asked why no such heroes existed today. The question revealed both the effectiveness of this presentation, and the dearth of role models in our society.

'Joseph' is both gripping in narration, and brilliant its direction. It is faithful to Scripture and well-acted. It is THE finest of the TNT productions to date, of which only one ('Jacob') was a failure.

Everyone will appreciate this wonderful story of forgiveness, but those those who are looking for the 'hidden things of Christ' cannot miss the poignant messianic threads which are so skillfully woven through the life of Joseph. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

As a teacher of ancient history with a doctorate in Biblical theology, I can say--without hesitation, this account of the Joseph story is as good as it gets! Although some of the sexually explicit (though historically accurate) scenes should be screened from the very young, this film is an ideal platform from which teens can search out characteristics of moral uprightness in a character of whom the Bible has not one negative thing to say! Kingsley (as he did in 'Moses') steals the show, and Mercurio does an admirable job as Joseph. Especially capable are the actors portraying Joseph's wicked brothers, with Vincenzo Nicoli sterling is his performance as the wicked Simeon. Having watched the film dozens of times with adults--as well as with my middle-schoolers in the classroom, I can say that the greatest of Bible stories is captured in all its power, pathos, and glory. Although creating a few anachronistic vignettes (such as Joseph's 'foreshadowing' Christ's "My God, my God..." speech from the Egyptian prison), the film also captures all of the great ironies of the Joseph story. When Mercurio tenderly reveals himself as the second most powerful man in the ancient world--to the brothers who hated him as a youth, the words 'I am Joseph' will not fail to bring even the most calloused heart to tears. As my students synthesized the thirty or so characteristics of moral goodness extant in Joseph into an essay, one asked why no such heroes existed today. The question revealed both the effectiveness of this presentation, and the dearth of role models in our society. 'Joseph' is both gripping in narration, and brilliant its direction. It is faithful to Scripture and well-acted. It is THE finest of the TNT productions to date, of which only one ('Jacob') was a failure. Everyone will appreciate this wonderful story of forgiveness, but those those who are looking for the 'hidden things of Christ' cannot miss the poignant messianic threads which are so skillfully woven through the life of Joseph. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Though this interpretation of Joseph's life has been substantially embellished, the heart and soul of the story remain intact, and is ultimately quite faithful to the Biblical account covered in Genesis Ch. 33:18 through Ch. 46:30.
Much of the acting is marvelous, especially Ben Kingsley as Potiphar, whose part has thankfully been enlarged, because he is riveting in every scene he is in.
Martin Landau is also excellent as the patriarch Jacob, who mourns the apparent loss of his favorite son, Joseph.
Australian actor/dancer Paul Mercurio ("Strictly Ballroom") is good in the lead, and others in the cast include Leslie Ann Warren as Potiphar's lying wife, the always beautiful Dominique Sanda as Leah, and some fine character actors playing Joseph's brothers, notably Michael Attwell (Judah), and Vincenzo Nicoli (Simeon).

Included in this film, and intrinsic to Joseph's life are the stories of Tamar and Judah, and the horrific tale his sister Dinah, both done effectively.The only parts that are less than first-rate are the scenes in Pharoah's court; almost campy in costuming and acting, they can provide some amusement in the midst of all the drama. Stefano Dionisi is a most unlikely and modern looking Pharoah, and has the ultimate babe for a wife, the pulchritudinous Monica Bellucci. The entire film though, is always mentally and visually entertaining, and has much spiritual content. As with so much of the Old Testament, there are allegories that run through its narrative that point to the New Testament, and the story of Joseph has much of this symbolism.

Filmed in Quarzazate, Morocco, with its exotic ancient structures and landscapes, the cinematography by Rafaele Mertes is wonderful; this is a way above average production for television, and a film about a man who "does nothing against his conscience even on pain of death" is worth watching again and again.

Having just seen this movie for the first time last night, I have to say that in spite of the very white actors in a culture that would clearly be darker in appearance, this movie in writing, production, and acting overcame that one glaring inconsistency with accuracy and with beauty.

Bible in hand, we marveled to see that this story followed the actual biblical account with astounding accuracy almost never seen in biblical productions. Entirely enjoyable and a marvelously acted piece, my entire family loved this movie. We had been expecting another biblical mish mash eliciting merely yawns, but were startled to see such a wonderful movie.

Martin Landau (Jacob) gave a fantastic performance, as did Ben Kingsley(Potiphar), Paul Mercurio(Joseph) (which bumps STRICTLY BALLROOM out of #1 on my Paul Mercurio list of favorite performances), Leslie-Anne Down was good as Potiphar's wife, and the 11 brothers of Joseph were fabulous. The supporting cast was excellent.

The sensitive and well rounded way in which this story was handled was fresh, creative, yet took no liberties in veering from the original story. Although it is not as spectacular in production as THE TEN COMMANDMENTS and other such movies, this movie was more like it "really" would have happened complete with humanity in all of its misery and magnificence.

I can not speak highly enough of this movie. What a pleasant surprise. We even got a chuckle out of it now and then!

Had it not been for the unnecessary(sexually charge scene of "Joseph's bath time" this movie would have remain a perfectly beautiful, classic family movie for christians.
Why should we be forced to view something that is not needed for the plot to be engrossing and tolerate the overabundant abuse of moral ethics even in christian movie making? I believe we deserve better, and it would be more beneficial for the industry if we could trust them to leave the "garbage" out!
There are still people like me that prefer clean entertaiment, and would have purchase several copies of this movie for gifts had it not been for this totally unnecessary scene.

I thought this movie was incredible. I am a fourteen-year-old who has read the Joseph story many times in my life. I was so breath taken by this movie and watched it over and over again. It gave me a new understanding of this story. I couldn't believe this movie. I was in awe every time I watched it and I would rewind it and watch it again. I would watch it and just sob and sob at the faithfulness of this man. It helped me raise a better understanding in faith in our Heavenly Father at all times. It gripped me in a way that I became addicted to it. I will never get enough of this movie. If I had to suggest one movie to anyone, this would be it. It is the #1 recommended movie on my list.

To anyone who thinks that Bible stories are dull, or that Hollywood can't reproduce them well--it doesn't get any better than 'Joseph'! The tale is woven carefully and accurately. The actors are superb--especially Kingsley! Hard to believe he can play Potifer as well as Moses! Teenagers will be given a most excellent portrayal of how to have characer--even in the most trying of circumstances! Though I'm not expert in Egyptian history (or the Bible), I have consulted with those who are both, and they give unceasing kudos to this film! The last half hour is the best! Watch it with your teens and have them see the very definition of a good role model. WOW! This is the best twenty bucks I've ever spent on a movie purchase! If you aren't holding a box of Kleenex at the end of this one, you've got an emotional block somewhere!

TNT has put together a surprisingly good account of the Biblical story of Joseph, betrayed into slavery in Egypt by his jealous brothers. Martin Landau as Jacob and Ben Kingsley as Potiphar give their usual first-rate performances, with the role of Joseph also well-acted. Leslie-Anne Warren is the lustful wife of Potiphar, who unsuccessfully tries to seduce Joseph, and lands him in the Pharoah's prison. This film offers a very credible depiction of life in the ancient Near East, from the desert tents of the Hebrews, to the claustrophobic walled towns like Sichem, to the lushness of civilized Egypt and the Pharoah's court. The film is faithful to the Biblical account, and succeeds in making it come alive on the screen. A well-acted, well-scripted, and entertaining film. END

This is an incredible mini-series...but it might not be so great if the run time stated (145 minutes) is accurate for the DVD release. The length of this production (at least on the VHS version) was 185 minutes. I plan to verify that this was not severely edited before I purchase it. There is some hope insofar as Warners Home Video has a history of understating (or miscalculating) run times...The miniseries "North And South" had a run time misprint that amounted to 183 minutes--over 3 hours!! The material was not missing or edited...just the info on the box was in error. Hopefully, that's what's happened here. Besides, "Abraham" is being released the same day fully intact...why not "Joseph?"

UPDATE: The run time as stated on the actual packaging IS 187 minutes. Actually, the film runs 3 hours and 5 minutes as per the DVD player itself. So, it seems, NOTHING has been edited for the DVD release. The box also says "Special Features not rated or closed captioned"...but there are NO special features. Just some language and subtitle selections. Now, I can't wait to watch it again. Thanks, Warners..for not butchering this fantastic production.

I bought this film after seeing most of it on A&E. This film is by far the best way to see Joseph. The settings are beautiful and the entire look of the production are perfect in presenting the story. The casting choices could not have been better! Paul Mercurio is a perfect Joseph. Everyone of the cast was perfect for their parts. This film is the best Joseph movie to date.