Jesus: The Complete Story (2001 TV Movie) User Reviews

A Fine Documentary, if not a bit tedious

[g0b0 · 8/10 · 23 December 2001]

To begin with the Narrator: Avery Brooks has such an outstanding speaking voice. It has become his trademark. He articulates so well that he at once becomes the voice of authority. One finds themself believing the man. Then, there's the TONE of his voice. Once again, he gets high marks. He has such a rich, warm quality that he evokes comfort and trust as emotional qualities.

Indeed, the choice to have Avery Brooks narrate was brilliant!

Now, on to the substance of the show: This show is typical of a Discovery Channel program. It was very interesting and very scholarly. In fact, there were even bits of information that were either newly discovered or else new to me. I found myself refreshing my memory on some items and learning new info all together on other issues. The show was very intellectual and Avery Brooks kept it well grounded.

I particularly liked the fact that the producers and script writers did not gloss over any topics. I'm thinking specifically of the issue of whether Mary was a virgin or not. They were tactful to be sure but pragmatic just the same. My greatest complaint of the documentary is it's length. Whew! I watched the show while doing other activities, otherwise I would have definitely lost interest. I think that this incredible program would have been enhanced by making it a 'mini-series' similar to the 'Mysteries of the Bible' series.

Great for Christians and Non-Christians

[chris_fodder · 8/10 · 24 September 2007]

As a non-Christian, I found this documentary very interesting.

It examines ancient Jewish culture and provides culturally accurate details about events such as the 'last supper' and the 'crusifiction'...etc. For example, DaVinci's painting of the last supper is very culturally inaccurate. In an ancient Jews would have eaten at a 3 sided table with the guest of honor on the left. They also would have eaten in a reclined position, or lying down. Also, Jesus never would have had the 'Hanson-like' appearance we always see. He would have had short hair, a closely trimmed beard and a more ruddy appearance.

I didn't find anything offensive for Christians....probably depends on your denomination though. All in all an interesting insight into ancient Israeli culture and Jesus.

Completely Fiction

[crantons · 2 October 2004]

It's funny how programs like these seem to crop up before religious holidays like Christmas or Easter, like the truth is finally coming out just in time to cause serious doubt in people who don't know the real history. Most of the ideas espoused in this program and the earlier "The Search for Jesus" by Peter Jennings draw heavily from the "scholarship" of groups like the Jesus Seminar. The Jesus Seminar is a small group of extremely liberal scholars whose aim is to discredit the teachings of Biblical Christianity. They reject 80% of the sayings attributed to Jesus Christ as well as much of what is taught about the life of Jesus Christ.

It is really amazing how out of touch the creators of this program are with the vast majority of credible and reliable research done on Jesus Christ over the past two millenia. Even if one decided to rely on extra-biblical sources for details on the life of Jesus (many of which were antagonistic to Christianity) you would find details matching the Biblical account, a far cry from that which Jesus: The Complete Story suggests to be the truth.

At first I was surprised that Avery Brooks would lend his voice to try and class up this sloppy and highly biased work. But looking at other programs he has narrated I am not surprised any longer. They continue the theme of humanistic propaganda that this one lives up to.

Through scholarship and archeology examines life of Jesus

[chicitysue · 10/10 · 30 July 2007]

The version of this I watched was narrated by Tom Hodgkins.

I agree that the commentators are Christians. That aside, the discussions they have on the social situation of Mary, Jesus' mother, the archaeological evidence for what the Roman and Jewish world in Judea was like at the time with virtual reconstructions and many other situations was very enlightening.

For example, they point out that the High Priests were appointed by the Roman government and were filthy rich. This shows that they certainly would be very threatened by the ideas of someone proclaiming he was the messiah with a popular following.

The whole movie is filled with facts as well as ideas on interpreting the meaning of events portrayed in the Bible and by other writers.

By the way, one of the theologians, N.T. Wright, is very well known and respected. I was very surprised by his interpretation of the betrayal by Judas. It might not have been the kind of betrayal we have been taught to believe, but Judas may have handed Jesus over with Jesus' tacit approval. The sad part is Judas' hanging himself if it was all prearranged.

No one has to believe all that the scholars say, but this is one of the most interesting movies I have seen discussing the life and historical and social situation of Jesus.

These commentators have nothing to do with the Jesus Seminar as far as I can tell. Any odd comments quoted by reviewers were taken out of context.

it's a miracle, people. ALL of it. ALL of Him.

[suziejean · 4/10 · 14 August 2005]

It's odd to me that they would try to prove Jesus' life and existence through historical proof. He is a miracle. His life isn't going to be as easy to track historically as say, George Washington. I guess it just comes down to faith. Either you have it or you don't. If you don't, well those of us who do are praying for you.

But the best part of all: I find it funny that they are say for Jesus to have been born to Mary, a virgin, she would had to have had an X and a Y chromosome. OK, so they accept that she had a child w/o having sex, but can't accept that she could have a boy unless she had an X and a Y chromosome?? How can you accept one miracle and not the other??

The best

[tjllatt · 10 April 2019]

The people who criticize this Documentary must not be watching the same one I did. This is a fabulous Documentary and includes much absolutely true historical facts. Objectivity and common sense seem to be lacking with the reviewer who really criticized this work heavily. It is the best on this subject I have ever seen. Others tell me that I have more than my share of common sense and objectivity plus I am more than an average History Buff. Apparently these traits are scarce these days.