Customer Reviews

KJB: The Book That Changed the World

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

2011 marks the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. The King James Bible has shaped the English language, inspired political and religious thought for generations and, arguably, changed the world.

The story behind the King James Bible has been told before. And several new books this year will aim to tell it again. 1A Productions and Lions Gate studio have created a first class documentary featuring John Rhys-Davies which puts this story on screen. And the result is almost as breathtaking as the powerful prose of the King James Bible itself.

"KJB: The Book That Changed the World" takes us on a historical survey of the years preceding 1611 and the political and religious landscape which confronted the new King. The story follows James I from his birth to his ultimate ascension to the English throne. Particular focus is placed on the role the King James Bible would play in James' strategy to unify the landscape, politically and religiously.

Director and producer, Norman Stone does a fantastic job of capturing the life of Jacobean England with all of its intrigue. The plot of Guy Fawkes is detailed in memorable fashion. Filmed on location in England and Scotland, the film takes one inside Westminster Abbey and Oxford College to some of the actual rooms where the translators labored over their charge. The photography and quality of the film is superb, countrysides and cathedrals alike are displayed in all their evocative power.

John Rhys-Davies exudes energy and vigor in his lively narration. His booming, deep voice adds to the grandeur of the story. At one point he climbs up into the pulpit of a centuries-old church to read from the pages of the King James Bible.

The documentary focuses almost exclusively on the historical setting and making of the King James Bible, only briefly explaining its lasting impact. While acknowledging the place the Bible has for Christians, the film aims at a wider audience. At times some historical license seems to be taken to make the story fit the producer's goals. While Puritans and Anglicans worked together on the various translation committees, it should be noted the Puritans were at a decided minority. More detail on translation techniques and practices could have been expected, too. Still the film does not disappoint. It brings to life the world of King James and the creation of his most lasting monument.

This documentary should be available on DVD in the United States this April, and Amazon is already taking pre-orders. If you are in the UK, you can pick up a copy now. Learn more about the film (and watch the trailer) at KJBtheFilm.com.

Disclaimer: This DVD was provided by 1A Productions Ltd. for review. The reviewer was under no obligation to offer a favorable review.

"KJB: The Amazing Tale of the birth of the King James Bible" can best be described as a "celebration" of the Authorized Version, released to mark the occasion of its 400th anniversary this year. A docu-drama narrated and hosted by John Rhys-Davies (Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Lord of the Rings trilogy), the film takes the viewer through the tumultuous times which led up to the publication of the KJB in 1611. Produced by IA Productions and Lionsgate as a direct-to-DVD release, it is a film clearly targeted to a Protestant Christian audience and, to a lesser degree, British history enthusiasts. While for many this may appear as condemnation, given the often poor quality of many "Christian" films and documentaries, KJB comes off quite well when compared with many mainstream historical docu-drams and may be of interest to a general audience as well.
Overall production values were quite good, even lavish, with excellent cinematography, music and editing. There was none of the repetitive use of "money shots" so beloved of directors of low-budget doc TV. What was perhaps most distinct about this production were the longer than normal dramatic sequences. At times, these "mini-dramas" were so extensive and engrossing as to almost threaten to derail the documentary through-line.
On their own, these dramas were quite good, and when compared with other recent depictions of the Tudor and Stuart eras, were refreshingly unglamorous. Paola Dionisotti as Elizabeth I, with her eccentric mannerisms and hilariously askew fright wig, presents a far less varnished (and perhaps more accurate) version of the Virgin Queen than the recent iconic portrayals by Cate Blanchet and Dame Helen Mirren. The bulk of the dramatic narrative, however, is given over to Andrew Rothney as James VI and I. One could almost say that this is as much a biography of James as his book. Rothney's James is one of emotional frailty and sudden flashes of strength and even vitriol. The two best scenes in the film involve a debate with his tutor George Buchanan (played with Puritanical intensity by James Bryce) at a young age, and the negotiation with establishment churchmen and puritans which leads to the commissioning of the AV. Both scenes are emotionally charged, but also give a good sense of James's legendary scholarship. As a family film, KJB skirts around the more sordid and controversial aspects of James's character, but such details would not have been relevant to the main story of the translation in any case, and would only have been sensationalistic if included.
Perhaps the best acting in the film, however, comes from Rhys-Davies himself. As host, his enthusiasm for history and the KJB are palpable. As he ambles through churches and palaces, his energy and gusto make other historical documentary hosts seem pale, even cold-blooded by comparison. His great moment comes at the end, when he ascends into the pulpit and intones some of the "highlights" of the KJB's remarkable prose. Listening to these so-familiar passages in Rhys-Davies baritone, it was not hard to see how even atheist Christopher Hitchens can have a sense of awe and reverence at the power of the KJB's language, as he recently expressed in Vanity Fair.
Despite all the remarkable qualities of this doc, there is one great weakness to "KJB" and that is there is so little about the KJB itself. With so much attention given to the royal succession, the commission and even the gun powder plot, the actual translation process becomes a secondary consideration. Yes, translation work is not exactly "hot stuff" dramatically, at least it is not as visually dramatic as the gunpowder plot, which only has a tangential connection to the story of the KJB, and I realize that the filmmakers were attempting to garner as wide an audience as possible, but I find this lack of imagination disappointing. To be fair, my complaint about this is not directed exclusively at the makers of this film, but comes from an overall and long-term dissatisfaction with so much of "educational" programming. Is it an inherent limitation of the medium? I'm not certain, but it would be encouraging to see more filmmakers take a risk and make the effort to create truly intellectually engaging and inspiring documentaries.
That said, the filmmakers attempt to make up for the film's weaknesses in the bonus features of the DVD. For my money, this is where the gold is. Along with some trailers, there is a 40 minute long featurette called "Words from the Wise". This is in fact the real documentary about the KJB. Comprised entirely of interviews with historians who are given only minor sound-bites in the main doc, a much more comprehensive and interesting picture of the KJB finally emerges. Much of the discussion revolves around the colourful lives of the translators and the often heated committee meetings. While listening to these historians, which included the likes of Carl Trueman, Helen Moore, W.B. Patterson, William Naphy, David Burke, Peter McCullough, Pauline Croft and Ashley Null, I kept thinking to myself `why wasn't this dramatized?' and `why didn't they mention that character in the main doc?'
Along with this featurette there was also a twelve minute interview with John Rhys-Davies. I did not watch this immediately, suspecting it to be one of those puff pieces where an actor is allowed to wax uneloquent on material for which he or she is not exactly an expert. To my amazement, when I did finally watch it, I found it to be the best and most moving twelve minutes of the whole DVD. Rhys-Davies may not be a professional scholar, but as a word-smith, he was able to articulate a view of the significance of the KJB almost as worthy as the prose of the KJB itself. Two of my favourite quotes:

"It's a special Bible, written at a special time, a time when the language was actually molten, when language could have gone any way... they shaped it thus."

"The Protestant Reformation is about a need for words, is a need for great sermons, is a need for instruction, is a need for moral debate as much as it is entertainment. They don't want these puny thirteen minute homilies, they want four hours of scholarship [and] difficult reasoning. They want the assurance that there is a way from this mire of earth to the certainty of heaven. How do we navigate, how do we negotiate a way there? Tell us, o curer of our souls! And they get it."

The interview ends with Rhys-Davies discussing his own relationship to faith. I won't say whether he is or is not a Christian, but will leave that for the viewer to discover. As a Christian myself, I found his testimony to be the most unbelievably moving few minutes I have seen on video in a long while. If there are Christian filmmakers out there reading this, moments like these are the kind of thing you need to be capturing on film.

KJB: The Book That Changed the World DVD is both a movie and a documentary. Fascinating in its account of the reasons for the creation of the KJV Bible, the attempt to overthrow the King, Parliament, and the birth of this new version and the affect the KJV had on the English language and Western Culture. James was not a manipulated royal puppet nor was he the saint many have made him out to be but he was an intelligent human being with strength, vision and determination that exceeded his idiosyncrasies and helped offset his faults. In other words he was an above average human. John Rhys-Davies was the perfect host, narrator and guide for this subject and thoroughly entertaining.

Outstanding! This movie goes beyond the five stars I can give it. Of the movies I have seen this year, this one stands out as being one of, if not, the best. Whoa! That doesn't mean that I don't get out or watch movies much, it does mean that this production has many elements that make it far better than the uninspired rhetoric we are getting from Hollywood these days. It also has content that draws you into the story and makes answering the phone or door much too much of a bother. But, I dare say it is even more than that.

What does it have to make it so good? An exceptionally well acted recreation of the story behind the making of the biggest selling book of all time, the King James Version of the Bible. Narrated by John Rhys Davies, a man who puts himself into the story rather than being a distant voice droning on behind the scenes, shows a passion for the story himself and it is clearly evident. The acting is superb and those portraying known characters represent them with astounding accuracy.

What it doesn't have is any proselytizing or overt religious biases. Considering where such a production might go, this one is in it for the story, not an alter call. The added features, though few, are worth commenting on. The interviews behind the making of the movie are moderately interesting and conducted well. However, the separate interview with Mr. Davies is definitely worth watching and adds a bit of a twist to the whole thing. When they asked him at least one question, you wondered if the DVD had stuck as he took a little longer than one would expect him to answer, but he did and perhaps not the way you were thinking he would.

So, to say it simply, this one deserves more than 5 stars as it has made it into the class of movies which have achieved the well deserved moniker of "outstanding". `5 stars' is for those movies that you feel satisfied with when you finish them that you saw everything you came to see and got your monies worth. `Beyond 5 stars' is reserved for those you would watch repeatedly and still find them worth your time every time you see it. This is most certainly one of those.

This is an excellant production that bridges between a documentary and a drama. The narrator covers the history with location filming and then this is interspersed with acted, drama of the events. It paints a vidid and engrossing picture that makes for easy but valuable bible information. The video does what it says and tells the story of how the King James bible came into being by following the political termoils of James, his life and ambitions.

Absolutely outstanding! Not only is this film packed with truth and information, but it is amazingly woven together. The acting is superb. The narration is enthralling and crisp. The story line is right on track with proving truth in an incredibly entertaining way. I purchased this film for $10.49, but I would pay $30 for this gem. The most important piece of all is the way they truthfully uphold Gods word. Amazing...

The DVD "KJB: The Book That Cahnged The World" was very well done, highly informative and very entertaining. The narritive discussions were very informative as well. This would be a good Bible Study supplement to a course on The King James Bible.

Excellent scholarship and acting; well-crafted; a wonderful example of how to convey greatness without sentimentality or hagiography. I was prepared to be bored, but I was unexpectedly moved.

It is quite a surprise when something actually good is made in film about God's Book! You just don't see it enough, but 'KJB' is real good stuff.

Having enjoyed the career of John-Rhys Davies in the Indiana Jones movies and the television show 'Sliders', I was really happy to see him do this.

For the first time in my life as a Bible history student I have actually seen in this documentary a portrayal of James I that is historically accurate. Also pleasing was the fact that this was made without the absolutely false homosexual accusation against James that came from Anthony Weldon! Great acting, all around, as well!

This documentary gives you the facts about the making of the KJV objectively and without any arguments for or against it being the words of God. Just the facts man, just the facts.

Although I believe it is the word of God, this was done for historical purposes and to celebrate the 400 year anniversary of the Great Book, without any theological slant.

While there is a great deal more information regarding the making of the KJV than presented in this documentary alone, it is still very informative and makes you want to learn more. However, for folks like me it's un-necessary, myself being a seasoned KJV researcher.

Another great thing about this was the interview of Mr. Davies in the bonus features which is heart-warming and intimate. There are few actors as genuine as Mr. Davies.

I cannot say enough great things about this documentary. Just buy it already!

I was surprised at just how good this was. I am not a fan of docudramas. I have found that most of them take huge liberties with history in order to fulfill some kind of theatrical effect that those involved seem to think necessary. But this one escapes from that kind of limitation. I was impressed with the acting, the history, the settings and costumes. It all works together effectively.

The dvd is a narrative history of how the KJB was created. The narration is done superbly by John Rhys-Davies who walks us through the actual locations where the events took place. The central character is King James I and VI. The dvd gives us a lot of information about the background of James in Scotland and how that background shaped his character. This background helps us to understand the way James approached the competing High Church and Puritan factions when he assumed the throne of England, thereby uniting England and Scotland under a single monarch.

I was intrigued with how the producers gave James a more hands-on role in the translation than some histories of the KJB I have read. There has, at times, been a tendency to diminish the role James played in the sense that some put forth the idea that though James initiated the project, after that he had little to do with it. This dvd depicts, in contrast, a James who is deeply involved in the project. Given the background of James, and his own considerable scholarly attainments, I suspect that the dvd is a closer reading of the relationship James had with the project.

Be sure to view the special features section. This contains more extensive remarks by historians and by the narrator John Rhys-Davies. I found these remarks at times deeply moving. I rarely view special features for movies, and if you are similarly inclined I urge you to make an exception in this case. The material offered in these interviews is fascinating and heartfelt.

This is a dvd that you can give to friends and family. It is an excellent introduction to the history of the King James Bible. I think it will open the door to its beauty and majesty for many people.