Jeremiah (1998)

The young Jeremiah grows up in a priest's family in the village of Anathoth, near Jerusalem. God appears to Jeremiah in different human guises on several occasions, and makes it clear to ... See full summary »

Director:

Harry Winer

Writer:

Harry Winer (teleplay)

Stars:

Patrick Dempsey, Oliver Reed, Klaus Maria Brandauer

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Patrick Dempsey	...	Jeremiah
Oliver Reed	...	General Safan
Klaus Maria Brandauer	...	King Nebuchadnezzar
Vincent Regan	...	King Sedecia
Leonor Varela	...	Judith
Andrea Occhipinti	...	King Joiakim
Michael Cronin	...	Chelkia
Stuart Bunce	...	Baruch
Roger May	...	Elshuma
Simon Kunz	...	Gemariah
Silas Carson	...	Hananiah
Franco Castellano	...	Babylonian Minister
Damian Myerscough	...	Ephraim
Chris Pavlo	...	Hanamel
Anita Zagaria	...	Jeremiah's Mother

Storyline

The young Jeremiah grows up in a priest's family in the village of Anathoth, near Jerusalem. God appears to Jeremiah in different human guises on several occasions, and makes it clear to him that he has been selected to announce God's message to the people of Jerusalem: a mighty ruler from the north will attack the Kingdom of Judah if the people there continue to worship false idols, and fail to remember the One God. No-one in Anathoth believes Jeremiah's prophecy, however. Instead, he is accused of blasphemy and is physically attacked - and not even his family comes to his aid. Nevertheless, with the help of Baruch, a temple scribe who hears Jeremiah's first sermon and becomes his disciple, Jeremiah succeeds in announcing the word of God. The prophet's message of impending doom incurs only the wrath and rejection of the ruling classes, the priesthood and the King. Jeremiah can find no audience, and lands up in captivity again - but even though he even has to leave his true love for ...

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | jeremiah character | king nebuchadnezzar character | one word title | jewish | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Five Mile River Films

Country:

Italy Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 December 1998 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Die Bibel: Jeremia

Filming Locations:

Ouarzazate, Morocco

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lux Vide

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was Oliver Reed's final television appearance before his death on May 2, 1999 at the age of 61.

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Connections

Follows Joseph (1995)

User Reviews

Weep Not For Jerusalem

Former Brat Packer Patrick Dempsey essays the role of Jeremiah the prophet, the last in a series of prophets sent by God foretelling of the destruction of Jerusalem if they don't turn from their ecumenical ways in allowing other Gods to be worshiped and idols to be built. Dempsey betrays not a hint of his thespian juvenile origins in his performance.

When the Kingdom of Israel was split into Israel and Jusdah following the reign of King Solomon, a series of prophets from Elijah on warned that Jerusalem's destruction and the destruction of the Temple of Solomon would follow. When Jeremiah was born, Josiah was the King of Judah, Israel having fallen to the Assyrians years ago and he's put a temporary halt to foreign religious practices. But that stops at Josiah's demise.

Jeremiah is a most reluctant prophet, but God choosing him as a kid puts the words in his mouth. In the end his warnings about the fall of Jerusalem prove all too true.

Klaus Maria Brandauer plays Nebuchadnezzer the all powerful ruler of Babylon to whom Judah falls. Oliver Reed plays an obstinate Hebrew general who is Jeremiah's greatest foe. Both register well in their roles.

Dempsey is denied earthly pleasure by God in order to serve, a heavy price indeed, but a burden he bears if not cheerfully. Sticking fairly close to the Old Testament, Jeremiah is a more accurate and more literate film than you'll find from Cecil B. DeMille if not more gaudy and spectacular.