40: The Temptation of Christ (2020) User Reviews

Not bad! It's more of a documentary then a movie though!

[elvisp-42349 · 6/10 · 12 April 2020]

First the good stuff. The soundtrack is absolutely fantastic. The cinematography was pretty good. The actors were average or above.

The average. Since this was made by a Christian based production company it leans more towards the lower budget side. I mean it's still not bad mind you. The editing needs to be fixed. The laughing Lucifer needs to go. Also the narrator needs to go. Get someone with a better voice.

The story has been told numerous times so nothing really new here. IMO people will view this movie more along the lines of a documentary style of Jesus's 40 days in the desert then an actual movie retelling of the bible. Atleast rent it and give it a shot. It's better then most Christian movies out there. I loved the soundtrack.

Wish it was biblically accurate

[tripletreephotography · 5/10 · 25 August 2020]

I watched this movie with my kids and they kept asking did Jesus really act like that? Why is he afraid? Why is he acting like that? And I totally agree with them, They portray Jesus as startled and slightly in fear and contemplative of being tempted. Not only that, it shows Jesus as being tempted throughout the 40 days when it says in Mathew that he prayed and fasted for 40 days and then the devil tempted Him and Jesus quickly put an end to it, Jesus was never actually "tempted" meaning the thought of bowing down to satan never appealed to Him because He knew who He was. Now this doesn't necessarily make Jesus seem like He's considering but it kinda does, it certainly doesn't portray Him as quickly quoting scripture and putting Satan in his place. Also it portrays Jesus as almost a normal boy in His youth, all I could think of was the boy actor just maybe wasn't able to act and speak? Not putting him down but I assume they just made the roll easy for the kid as he barely spoke. I get people want to add creativity and imagine what could have happened but please at least keep it in the boundaries of being biblically accurate.

Worth a watch!

[vish-n · 6/10 · 14 April 2022]

The movie is slow going and barren but this is to be expected! After all, it is a film based on Jesus in the wilderness. Nice sound track and cinematography. Inevitably the best scenes involve interactions between Jesus and the Devil. Dialogue tends to revert to scripture, which isn't a bad thing! The movie is slightly formulaic and derivative. I guess they had to include filler scenes to elongate the movie. The main protagonists were convincing enough in their roles. I actually would give it 6.5 if the option was available!

Really Boring!

[StanCanada · 1/10 · 23 April 2020]

Most of the movie consists of Jesus walking around in the desert talking to himself. The dialogue is difficult to hear, because the noisy instruments constantly playing in foreground at 2-3X the volume of any dialogue, makes whatever is being said difficult to decipher.

Waste of time!

[maxell-63962 · 1/10 · 23 April 2020]

It wasn't as expected a waste of time! Hope in the near future to see better movies regarding the life o jesus!

Ruined from the opening line...

[pinpointzero · 1/10 · 2 May 2020]

"My name is John", he says, gently in his American accent. The movie attempts mystery and wonder from the opening credits with a hash overture, rushing winds and dry landscape. An isolating Christ talks to the sky, echoing intent for his upcoming journey. We're gestes with flashbacks to the young Jesus, mesmerised by his mother Mary who is preparing a meal. She commands her son to fetch his father, in her American accent. The lone Jesus then makes his way through the streets, serenaded by swooshing birds. Upon reaching his father Joseph, he is greeted as Yeshwa by his father in another American accent.

We're four minutes in, and absolutely nothing of note has taken place. Lovely backdrops, decent score, but bland and boring.

Jesus constantly talks to himself in a profound manner, whilst we remind ourselves that this film focuses specifically on a forty day fast. Yes, one person for much of the duration, suffering the constant torment of Satan. As if making a film based on this topic wasn't boring enough, the film is littered with flashbacks of Jesus' life as a child to his overly gentle mother, and mardy father. No one says anything of note and there is nothing at all meaningful in any of this. Wooden acting, terrible script, Americanised and just an awful watch.

A Christian Perspective

[rajukj · 10/10 · 30 August 2020]

From a Christian perspective, This movie has done its good work. The Director and the Script writers have brought some of their imaginations/insights into the plot which is not abusive or misleading.

For those people who are non-Christians and those who gave bad reviews, There is no action,violence and strong language in this movie.

What do you expect from a Christian movie?

It's a good recommendation for a Christian

Ancient Palestine with Telephone Poles?

[dfpigd · 4/10 · 12 March 2021]

Too much liberty taken with the events and added dialogue to this story. Could have done better with editing, with telephone poles and tire tracks in the desert.

Great Adaptation

[eddiefloyd-57586 · 10/10 · 10 January 2021]

Really enjoyed this movie, plenty of scripture and a good watch, those that have given bad reviews " especially the same guy twice " may possibly be non believers that did watch it all, or maybe? Just maybe want to put others off. Don't fall for this rubbish , even if they did watch it all then they did so with poor understanding of what happened, as Christians we both really enjoyed the movie, if you are not then please don't try and dissuade people who have faith, not in what is seen but what is unseen, because what is seen is fleeting and what is unseen is eternal. Oh and no violence etc so All in all a good clean adaptation that a Christian family can watch ,without the worldy rubbish and lies. Oh and every thing said by the actor portraying Jesus IS ACTUALLY SCRIPTURE " EXEPT 2 LINES" SO BIBLICALLY ACCURATE.

PFFF don't watch this movie.

[carlossalgado-78773 · 1/10 · 17 April 2020]

I wouldn't recommend the movie to anybody. The pacing is extremely off. About 60% is talking or Jesus walking without the story progressing. It's extremely boring and wouldn't recommend to anyone. Also they actually put chucky's laugh as the devil's laugh.. I'm not even joking, they actually thought it was a smooth idea to put chucky's laugh as- I can't believe it, just don't watch the movie.

Nonsense

[domagojbys · 1/10 · 23 April 2020]

God creates satan, and then satan tempts god? ''Almighty god''? The boss of satan? Just horrible....

where was the director?

[compjazzca-68116 · 1/10 · 20 April 2020]

Clean hands and manicured nails? I think not. didn't waste my time on something so ridiculous!

Boring to those who the promises don't apply

[infinger-04908 · 8/10 · 14 August 2020]

I think they did a beautiful job. Love the cinematography. As for those that hate it, whatever. The promises are beautiful and poinent.

Yes, it takes its time, but I guess that what you have when in the desert 40 days. Time to think, time to hear. This isnt "Speed" or "Gone in 60 Seconds", which is apparently what the creatins were hoping for.

(I've only watched the first 1/2 so far and was irritated about the bad reviews.. )

Amazing Show

[apundalizzy · 10/10 · 9 July 2022]

This movie was nothing short of AMAZING and I hope more Bible believing and knowing Christians get to see it because it uses A LOT of scripture. We should be immersed in God's word and know it through and through and understand what the Spirit is saying. For those who thought this was boring, perhaps you should read your Bible more or do you find that boring too? Every single word Jesus spoke was from scripture and so it brought everything together for me since I was reminded of verses in both the old and New Testament. I am only 25 years old but I love reading scripture since it is my daily bread. I felt fed and full after watching this on pureflix. Thank you so so so much for this.

Fantastic

[qutoxz · 10/10 · 26 June 2020]

It is a really good movie, the music, the way they have captured the light when Jesus is talking is just amazing. its a perfect movie for anyone that has read the bible and or also for any movie lovers out there.

very good

[ciprianjuganaru · 10/10 · 1 May 2021]

A very good movie, makes you better understand Jesus sacrifice for us.

I Enjoyed this movie

[day-62301 · 9/10 · 18 April 2022]

Personally I thought the conversation between Jesus and satan was very insightful and gave a better understanding of the scriptures and a reality of what he went through doing that time. I like to read the Word of God in layman's terms and this movie really helped to give a basic understanding of what Jesus went through and the deceptive ways of satan and and how he comes from man. He is a deceiver. I also thought the way Jesus dealt with it in this movie really brought it home for what we go through daily with the enemy. I found it to be very relatable..... And I really appreciate that! This movie may not reach all in a positive way but it definitely makes me want to study more and draw closer to the Lord.

40 the temptation of Christ

[gwpetroski · 10/10 · 4 September 2021]

Mr Vail,you did an awesome job depicting what Jesus would have encountered during his 40 days in the desert , his agony and temptation were brought to life. Absolutely worth watching and rememgering what the messiah went through. Please accept my warmest and sincere review as outstanding in every way-George Petroski.

Riveting

[timpayne-07954 · 10/10 · 9 December 2022]

If viewed only through lenses of technical excellence and historical accuracy, this film might fairly be critiqued, but I did not find those components distracting. Instead, they added to the flavor, forcing me to focus on the dialogue that is fiercely aligned to the human experience.

While the Bible presents a relatively brief and pointed account of the confrontation between satan and Yeshua, this film expands the temptation into logical, rationalized arguments against spiritually based concepts. The writing and acting are natural, and the casting is magnificent! Each actor humanizes their character into a believable and satisfying resolve.

It was said of Jesus He was tempted in every way as we are, but without succumbing to it. The three temptations as presented in this film strikingly parallel my own where logic battles faith and intent rules outcome. The impact of this film on me is, I want to be better, do better, exhibit more strength as Jesus did. That alone made it worth watching.

Given the extremely modest size of cast and production team, this is a magnificent effort, and one that touched me deeply.

Lots to think about

[rejoicer · 9/10 · 4 November 2022]

This is a very different take on the Life of Christ. It covers things similar to the way The Chosen does, filling in bits of the narrative not recorded in scripture but completely plausible. We know so little about the 40 days in the wilderness.

The film sets Jesus in the desert and portrays flashbacks of his life as a boy, which are really well done, as well as the temptations he faced. The portrayal of the devil is fascinating, having him appear in many ways: as his father and mother, but setting him as an ordinary looking younger man and spinning his lies. He makes things sound so good, as he does. Jesus sees through them. Its a good model for us to be aware of his ploys.

Well done.