I am in no way a religious bigot nor do I try to preach my own personal religious beliefs onto others, but when it comes to a film with a subject matter like this, then I am prepared to comment and offer my views, whether tainted with my own beliefs or not.
I am an Anglo Protestant (Church of England) and a regular church goer, and relish the chance to watch a film like this which I feel not only appeals to me with its inspiring and powerful story, but it has a personal message to give to all of us.
Firstly, if I can set the record straight, this film is not about Jesus Christ as many people seem to believe, it is about Mary, his mother. Her sense of spirit and duty and of her strong belief in the spirit of God, a spirit which was so strong it led her to her being God's chosen vessel for Christ's entry into the world. This should put straight the reviewers who have stated that there are many chapters in Christ's life which seem to be overlooked. This is why.
The young Mary is played wonderfully by Melinda Kinnaman, an under rated and largely unknown actress, but none the less an actress who seems to understand her part and delivers what I believe to be the most powerful performance in the film. She is one of the most talented and beautiful woman I have seen on the screen in recent years.
It charts her struggles through Roman occupation, the scorn and ridicule given my her kinsman after the immaculate conception, the Birth in Bethlehem and the part she played in Jesus' upbringing and his later teachings and death. In essence it is primarily a touching Mother/Son drama using the Bible as a base subject.
The nativity, the crucifixion and many other chapters of The New Testament are recreated here, in a truly inspiring story which never ceases to fill my heart with the strong messages it gives to us.
Christian Bale plays Jesus well, and I think he stands out as one of the better screen Christ's. (remember Max Von Sydow in The Greatest Story Ever Told....Ouch!)
Strong support and for once well researched authenticity, makes this a must for fans of all things Bilical.
I am an Anglo Protestant (Church of England) and a regular church goer, and relish the chance to watch a film like this which I feel not only appeals to me with its inspiring and powerful story, but it has a personal message to give to all of us.
Firstly, if I can set the record straight, this film is not about Jesus Christ as many people seem to believe, it is about Mary, his mother. Her sense of spirit and duty and of her strong belief in the spirit of God, a spirit which was so strong it led her to her being God's chosen vessel for Christ's entry into the world. This should put straight the reviewers who have stated that there are many chapters in Christ's life which seem to be overlooked. This is why.
The young Mary is played wonderfully by Melinda Kinnaman, an under rated and largely unknown actress, but none the less an actress who seems to understand her part and delivers what I believe to be the most powerful performance in the film. She is one of the most talented and beautiful woman I have seen on the screen in recent years.
It charts her struggles through Roman occupation, the scorn and ridicule given my her kinsman after the immaculate conception, the Birth in Bethlehem and the part she played in Jesus' upbringing and his later teachings and death. In essence it is primarily a touching Mother/Son drama using the Bible as a base subject.
The nativity, the crucifixion and many other chapters of The New Testament are recreated here, in a truly inspiring story which never ceases to fill my heart with the strong messages it gives to us.
Christian Bale plays Jesus well, and I think he stands out as one of the better screen Christ's. (remember Max Von Sydow in The Greatest Story Ever Told....Ouch!)
Strong support and for once well researched authenticity, makes this a must for fans of all things Bilical.