Jacob (TV 1994)

In the land of Canaan lives Isaac, son of Abraham, with his clever, strong-willed wife Rebekah and his twin sons Esau and Jacob. The first-born, Esau, is a strong and fearless hunter with a... See full summary »

Director:

Peter Hall

Writers:

Francesco Maria Nappi (book), Lionel Chetwynd (teleplay)

Stars:

Matthew Modine, Lara Flynn Boyle, Sean Bean

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matthew Modine	...	Jacob
Lara Flynn Boyle	...	Rachel
Sean Bean	...	Esau
Joss Ackland	...	Isaac
Juliet Aubrey	...	Leah
Irene Papas	...	Rebekah
Giancarlo Giannini	...	Laban
Christoph Waltz	...	Morash
Christoph M. Ohrt	...	Be'or (as Christoph Ohrt)
Philip Locke	...	Diviner
Daniel Newman	...	Reuben (age 14)
Cecilia Dazzi	...	Billah
Yvonne Sciò	...	Judith (as Yvonne Scio')
Garry Cooper	...	Caananite 1
Bev Willis	...	Caananite 2

Storyline

In the land of Canaan lives Isaac, son of Abraham, with his clever, strong-willed wife Rebekah and his twin sons Esau and Jacob. The first-born, Esau, is a strong and fearless hunter with a voracious appetite for sensual pleasures. Jacob is a shepherd, more tender and compassionate than Esau. Just as Esau is the pride of his father, so is Jacob the apple of his mother's eye. Rebekah is convinced that Jacob, though the second born son, is the chosen one and the rightful heir of Isaac and Abraham. And she tells him that when she was with child, God announced to her: "Two nations are within thy womb. Two manner of men shall be delivered to you. The one shall be stronger than the other and the elder shall serve the younger". One day Esau returns from a hunt to find Jacob preparing a lentil porridge. Famished, he asks Jacob for some food. Jacob agrees, but on one condition: that Esau sell him his birthright. Since Esau ascribes little value to its meaning, he readily agrees and they ...

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Plot Keywords:

jewish | religion | one word title | sequel | biblical | 

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | History

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Details

Official Sites:

Five Mile River Films

Country:

Czech Republic France UK Italy Germany USA Netherlands

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 December 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jacob: A TNT Bible Story

Filming Locations:

Ouarzazate, Morocco

Company Credits

Production Co:

Antena 3 Televisión, Beta Film, British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Followed by David (1997)

User Reviews

Heartfelt and engaging

The story of Jacob was one I knew nothing about before I sat down to watch this TV movie, which may be why I found it so engaging to watch. The hour and a half running time flies past as we follow a story involving pride, betrayal and eventual redemption.

JACOB works because it's all about the characters and the emotion. The whole gamut of the human experience is explored here - love, death, pain, suffering, respect - against a canvas of people who aren't merely vessels for story elements but who seem to be alive whether they're on the screen or off it.

And what a cast! Matthew Modine, who I've never liked before, is unrecognisable and all heart as Jacob. Sean Bean is excellent, if seldom used, as his brother Esau. Then we get the supporting players: elder veterans (Joss Ackland, Irene Papas, Giancarlo Giannini) mixed with the then-popular (Lara Flynn Boyle) and the future famous (Christoph Waltz). Their talents help to make this a compelling Biblical adaptation.