The Bible ... In the Beginning
 
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The Bible ... In the Beginning (1966)

Michael Parks (Actor), Ulla Bergryd (Actor), John Huston (Director) | Rated: NR | Format: DVD
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (91 customer reviews) |

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Product Details

  • Actors: Michael Parks, Ulla Bergryd, Richard Harris, John Huston, Stephen Boyd
  • Directors: John Huston
  • Writers: Christopher Fry, Mario Soldati, Orson Welles
  • Producers: Dino De Laurentiis, Luigi Luraschi
  • Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
  • Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
  • Subtitles: English, Spanish
  • Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 2.55:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Rated: NR (Not Rated)
  • Studio: 20th Century Fox
  • DVD Release Date: October 16, 2001
  • Run Time: 174 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (91 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B00005NKT6
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,054 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

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  • Learn more about "The Bible ... In the Beginning" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

John Huston adapted the first 22 chapters of the Book of Genesis in this mostly silly film that takes us from Creation through Noah's Ark through Abraham's near-sacrifice of son Isaac. This is one of Huston's more personally distant projects, à la Annie or Victory; and for the most part you'd barely know there was even a director involved. On the other hand, Huston does provide some of the only liveliness on screen, playing Noah. --Tom Keogh

Product Description

The greatest stories of the Old Testament are brought to the screen with astounding scope and power in this international film which depicts the first 22 chapters of Genesis. This is the spectacular story of man's creation, his fall, his survival and his indomitable faith in the future. From the film's opening amidst cosmic chaos, to its lingering message of hope and salvation, "The Bible" stands as a monumental motion picture achievement.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
65 of 69 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
I do not understand why most critics have very few good things to say about this movie. Okay, maybe the atmosphere is a little dead at times, and perhaps there could be more dialogue, but overall this is one of the most beautiful biblical stories I've ever seen. A superb cast - including Michael Parks as Adam, Ulla Bergryd as Eve, Richard Harris as Cain, George C. Scott as Abraham, and Ava Gardner as Sarah - bring warmth and sensitivity to the familier stories. John Huston's somewhat comical portrayal of Noah is definitely the highlight of the film. I first saw this movie when I was very young. I now own it and watch it often. The script sounds like it was taken directly from the Bible itself. The opening dialogue is, of course, "In the beginning..." The creation scenes which follow are simply magnificant. And the music which coincides with it is just beautiful. Right now I have that image of the birds in flight and the raging sea waters. The one scene which gets me every time ( and which I keep rewinding to see ) is the scene with Hagar and Ishmael in the desert. The spring of water bursting up through the ground at Hagar's feet is one of the most moving moments in the entire movie. This film is definitely worth seeing. Never mind what the critics say.
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69 of 75 people found the following review helpful
By K. Jump
Format:VHS Tape
Legendary director John Huston's "The Bible...In the Beginning" is something of a mixed bag. Though undeniably reverent and generally (though not totally) faithful to the original Scriptures, Huston's film is ultimately epic in scope but too often cold and unmoving. There are certainly some fine scenes, particularly in the Creation , the story of the Garden of Eden (Adam and Eve's storm-shrouded exile from Paradise is perhaps the most powerful moment in the whole film), Cain and Abel, and an especially moving interlude between Abraham and only son Isaac in the ruins of sinful Sodom. But Huston fails to make the movie emotionally appealing on a consistent basis, so that what should have been an enthralling picture is merely adequate--which, after all, is not so bad. The cast is very powerful, featuring Richard Harris, Ava Gardner, George C. Scott, Peter O'Toole, and Huston himself as an endearing Noah. If only Huston had let his performers live a little on camera, this might have rivaled The Ten Commandments. As it is, the whole is respectable but flawed, too passionless and slow-paced to match The Ten Commandment's grandeur. Even so, "The Bible" does bring the opening chapters of Scripture to life, and if this movie is not thrilling, it is nonetheless enlightening.
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51 of 55 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
This film is entertaining on many levels, and if you appreciate good art direction, you'll enjoy this film.
The cinematography by Giuseppe Rotunno, and the classical score by Toshiro Mayuzumi are also superb.
Outstanding are the first 15 minutes, with director Huston narrating a mix of verses from Genesis Chapters 1 and 2 (KJV), and I have a special fondness for the sprawling "Tree of Knowledge", with its strange looking white leaves.

Other favorite sections:
The great Richard Harris, fabulous in a highly choreographed telling of the Cain and Abel story.
The animals going into Noah's Ark, with its wonderful music, is a delight for kids of all ages.
The Tower of Babel, as an awesome ziggurat, with Stephen Boyd looking simply stunning in exotic makeup.
Peter O'Toole as the Angel, always a fascinating actor, and even in a small part, a scene stealer.

Yes, it's abysmally slow in parts, especially in the final Abraham section, which could have used some serious editing. A half an hour could easily have been cut from this portion, and also, this is where most of the stilted dialogue can be found...but nevertheless, even though it dwindles as the film progresses, this telling of the first 22 chapters of Genesis is one I've seen numerous times, and am sure to view again.
My tape is unfortunately, on the dark side, but still a visual treat at its best.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews
In the Beginning God created the universe and then in 1966 Hollywood...
THE BIBLE(1966) Directed by John Huston. Script by(among others) Christopher Fry and Orson Welles. Produced by Dino De Laurentis. Some score written by Ennio Morricone. Read more
Published 7 days ago by The Mysterious Traveler
Drew Me Closer To God and the Scriptures
I followed along with the Scriptures when this film started and then ended up just watching it when my mind couldn't keep up reading and watching at the same time. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jill H.
The Bible
This movie was wonderful, A friend at church thought that the scene in Sodom was a little too true to life, but I saw it as the sin place it was. Ab. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Joan D. Webster
JOHN HUSTON, OPUS 23
Wow! John Huston as Noah, George C. Scott as Abraham, Ava Gardner as Sara and God as God. I liked the second chapter with Huston as a facetious Noah and the Babel tower episode. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Daniel S.
An interesting interpretation of the Bible
Even though this is a very long movie, it tries to incorporate the entire Book of Genesis & does a fairly good job. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Sandra
Impressive Restoration to a Classic Tale!
The Bible has been a great staple of my family for years and they did a really good job putting it on Blu ray. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Michael Byrd
A must have for your DVD collection!
Our family absolutely loves this movie! We feel it's a must have in our collection! Very entertaining and pretty accurate account of the Bible!
Published 4 months ago by Jodie L. Miller
In the very beginning....
The Bible: In the Beginning is a 1966 masterpiece....

Wikepedia tells us that The Bible: In the Beginning "was originally conceived as the first in a series of films... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Joseph P. Tevington
Interesting
I like Noah's story the best. The Creation story was on the slow side and garden wasn't as vibrant as I would envision Eden to be.... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Happy Customer
it is ok
It is ok, I expected more, but it is okay, Sometimes expectations are not good but the dvd shows what it says it will, short version of it.
Published 7 months ago by Pearl Luv
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