The Bible - Esther
 
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The Bible - Esther (2000)

Louise Lombard (Actor), F. Murray Abraham (Actor) | Rated: NR | Format: DVD
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews) |

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Product Details

  • Actors: Louise Lombard, F. Murray Abraham, Jürgen Prochnow, Thomas Kretschmann, Ornella Muti
  • Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
  • Language: English
  • Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Rated: NR (Not Rated)
  • Studio: Lions Gate
  • DVD Release Date: September 26, 2000
  • Run Time: 90 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00004VVOY
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,131 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

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  • Learn more about "The Bible - Esther" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The biblical story of Esther, the Jewish woman who saved her people when they faced annihilation, is told in this production featuring British actress Louise Lombard in the title role and F. Murray Abraham as Mordecai, Esther's cousin and foster father. As a girl living under Persian rule, Esther was essentially kidnapped and taken into the harem of the king, Xerxes. The king, taken by her beauty, made her his queen, and as dramatized in the film, she found herself involved in a delicate balancing act between the ruling Persians and her own Jewish people. While this is a fairly elaborate production with a solid supporting cast, it proceeds at a relaxed pace and never quite takes off dramatically. But it does provide a solid telling of Esther's story, and if considered as something of a docudrama, it's successful. The story is clearly told of how the king's chief minister, Haman, had hoped to see the Jews annihilated, but thanks to Esther's intercession the Jews were able to defend themselves and destroy their enemies (events which are celebrated at the Jewish Feast of Purim). The production does provide much of the period flavor of ancient life, and the major facets of the story and portrayals of the characters coincide with biblical accounts. --Robert J. McNamara

Product Description

Following the conquest of Babylon the King of Persia gives a banquet for his people at which he requests the presence of his wife Vashti. As she refuses the King's demand Ahasuerus disowns Vashti and goes in search of her replacement. In his harem he meets the young girl Esther who immediately captivates him with her charm and beauty. Unaware of her Jewish heritage King Ahasuerus falls in love with Esther. Esther then reveals to Ahasuerus that she is Jewish and asks him to show her people mercy because of a planned genocide of the Jews by the King's right-hand man Haman. In doing so she saves the lives of many innocent people and paves the way for their return to Jerusalem.System Requirements: Running Time 91 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR UPC: 031398745525 Manufacturer No: VM7455D

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
71 of 72 people found the following review helpful
a woman of courage March 14, 2004
Format:VHS Tape|Amazon Verified Purchase
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.

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49 of 51 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
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."
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53 of 56 people found the following review helpful
ONE OF THE BEST January 16, 2001
By A Customer
Format: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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Esther
Wonderful story of Esther , like the Bible and very easy to follow. The later version was very hard to follow the characters , this movie you knew who everyone was, very good... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Joan D. Webster
Wonderfull.
A joy to watch. This is my absolute fave bible movie. I can watch it over and over. I also recommend The Story of Ruth.
Published 1 month ago by Sweet Kawaii
Esther
My wife and I enjoyed watching this movie. It was thought provoking and makes you want to go back and read the book of Esther.
Published 1 month ago by Wil V
Esther
This is a good movie to watch. It's not exactly on the straight line with the Bible, but it's a good movie to settle into and enjoy!
Published 2 months ago by Beawoman
Biblical But Unimpressive
The book of Esther lacks nothing for a great film. I hoped this would be it, but I was disappointed. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Alexis K. Wisniewski
Wonderful story
This was a great story and is very true to the Bible story of Esther. My Bible Study group had discussed this story. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Marguerite O. Davis
Esther Movie
The movie cut out much of the Biblical story, and was somewhat disjointed. At that time the Medo-Persian Empire extended all the way to Africa, and all of the Middle East, for... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Clara Pellom
Esther
I really like this movie. I dont know what others would say but if you ask me, get this. It is simple and she is also very pretty, makes you think of how they said that esther was... Read more
Published 11 months ago by daniel
Very misleading.
It shows ESTHER after being kidnapped and groomed give herself freely and submissivly to the king as a prostitute would. Read more
Published 11 months ago by JOJO DANCER
Very Entertaining
This was a very entertaining film - I highly reccomend it. F. Murray Abraham was great in his role as Mordechai; all the other actors were excellent as well. Read more
Published 12 months ago by James
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