Bible movies are bland, lame, and lifeless – with a few exceptions like THE PRINCE OF EGYPT. How could they be better?
20 COMMENTS
Thanks for watching! What are some of your favorite Bible movies? What would you like to see more of in the genre? I'm trying to post more regularly on the channel with less "longform" videos – so let me know what you think of this format.
Concerning the color in ancient times, I would like to add that temples and statues were actually painted in really bright colors in antiquity, marble buildings were NOT plain white, so that's also a point.
Watched The Miracle Maker based on your recommendation. It's the kind of movie I would have assumed was a hokey Sunday school time-filler, but it's really a beautiful and surprisingly nuanced depiction of "the greatest story ever told." I also watched The Prince of Egypt and enjoyed it too. I vaguely remember watching part of it when I was younger and not really getting hooked, but I appreciated it more now since I've recently been taking a bit of a deep dive into animated movies.
I will never understand why Prince of Egypt isn't on more lists of greatest animated films. I feel the same way about the coloring with the Western genre. Way too much sepia and not enough color anymore.
Bro, I completely agree with everything you said. As a Christian, I've gotten so bored with all these bland biblical movies. It's one of the reasons why it's my passion to make an animated David and Goliath movie for Dreamworks (I already wrote a full 2-hour draft script). I also have an idea for an anime-style series on the life of Jesus but puts more focus on the supernatural as you said in the video. I have so many ideas of what I can do and once I finished my masters degree in film directing I'm going to do everything I can to get my two passion projects made. Seriously the ideas I have are exactly what you said you want to see in biblical movies.
Although I'm a non-religious person, I adore a portuguese miniseries called José do Egipto, which narrates his life in Egypt and his connection with God and others characters, and it's made with a lot of passion and love for art, I think you would like it! (Sorry for any mistakes, english is not my native language :c)
I've often thought these same lines in terms of biblical story telling. There's an element of "fantasitcalism" and otherworldly/supernatural with the different stories; imagine a series where young Jewish children are told their history (ie the different segments of the "Torah" aka the Old Testament) where we have a bit of live action at the start, but as the teacher begins we are transported to the animated world of the past, to see the story of noah, Moses and Israel in Egypt, the Exodus, Joshua's conquests, the age of the Judges, the rise of Saul, his fall and rise of David, Solomon, the corrupted kings and the Prophets that come to foretell judgement on a rebellious Israel. All these stories and more showing the full weight of what is written in the Bible. And don't skip out on those stories, that was "Noah"s downfall, adding in extra stories that had no right existing in an already complete story
There may be a fear in Christian moviemaking that visual emphasis will detract from the purity of the message they're sharing, but Prince of Egypt is a sterling example of how visuals can emphasize the message!
The logical, theological part of me firmly believes in God and the Bible, but I have a hard time registering it emotionally. The use of color, imagery, and general artistry (Like in PoE) is how I'm able to experience those emotions. They reflect that God is an artist too, and it makes me feel close to Him. That C.S. Lewis quote gave me chills, man.
This is a bit off topic but I have a similar issue with color and wardrobe in medieval movies. Why is everyone in those movies (including nobles) wearing grays and browns?
I notice that the live action Bible films you show in the beginning have the colour noticeably muted, which is a touch naughty. Take King of Kings, which you show a few seconds of. I've seen this film many times and have never noticed any lack of colour. Ditto Ben-Hur. Or maybe you've just got the colour on your TV turned down—I don't know. I notice you've also written, "Bible movies are bland, lame and lifeless" yet you don't make that point in the vid; you only refer to lack of colour. Lame and bland are something else again. Animated Bible films I have no interest in.
Growing up Christian, I was obviously surrounded by Christian cartoons. My entire concept of Miracles is surrounded by rainbows and gold and spectacle. I’m not Christian anymore, but I still believe in a divine entity of some form. I still greatly enjoy and find amazement in the theology and history of Christianity. Bible musicals are fantastic. I absolutely adore Godspell.
As you were talking about the lack of color I was thinking about why these directors feel they need to make everything seem so bland and like mud. And I think the answer is. These movies usually arnt made for spectacle they are to show something. All the Moses movies shows the power of God his ability to take everything away from a powerful power. In a matter of days yet protect those who place a lambs blood over their doorways. And for instance the Passion of the Christ is there to show Christ's love for us that he would endure such pain just to save people who didn't even want it. So I feel that's what the directors see. They want to get that's message across. But I feel you make an amazing point that there should be color and liveliness. We can see the beauty and the love and just the time itself. And it will make those moments of sorrow and all those other emotions even more profound because you have the color of the setting to match the color of the acting.
I’ve met the writer of The Miracle Maker- Murray watts. Fascinating guy with a background in Christian theatre.
I’m so excited by everything you say. It keeps chiming with me. I’m a priest in the Church of England, but my first calling was writer and storyteller. My imagination to tell Bible stories and to do so well for screen is my dream. One day, maybe…
Thanks for watching! What are some of your favorite Bible movies? What would you like to see more of in the genre? I'm trying to post more regularly on the channel with less "longform" videos – so let me know what you think of this format.
MOVIES MENTIONED
The Chosen TV Series: https://studios.vidangel.com/the-chosen/
The Miracle Maker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm_uHE1956I
Last Days in The Desert: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDfySDiGeh8
Simetria by LeitoLegito: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko-CICfm4hE
The Bible Project: https://www.youtube.com/user/jointhebibleproject
The Prince of Egypt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NieC8KA0EvI
I 100% agree with you! I saw the Miracle Maker as a kid. Now that I can fully appreciate animation and film I will definitely give it a rewatch.
Concerning the color in ancient times, I would like to add that temples and statues were actually painted in really bright colors in antiquity, marble buildings were NOT plain white, so that's also a point.
Watched The Miracle Maker based on your recommendation. It's the kind of movie I would have assumed was a hokey Sunday school time-filler, but it's really a beautiful and surprisingly nuanced depiction of "the greatest story ever told." I also watched The Prince of Egypt and enjoyed it too. I vaguely remember watching part of it when I was younger and not really getting hooked, but I appreciated it more now since I've recently been taking a bit of a deep dive into animated movies.
I will never understand why Prince of Egypt isn't on more lists of greatest animated films. I feel the same way about the coloring with the Western genre. Way too much sepia and not enough color anymore.
Here here! Even though The Chosen is such a great show, I would love to see more BIG Bible movies and T.V. shows!
8:35 if you’re ever in the mood for a Bible musical. Check out Sight and Sound Theatres. The Bible musicals they do their are amazing
So True…Truth is in the eye of the beholder
Life of Brian is always the best
You should really watch The 10 Commandments with Charleston Heston.
Bro, I completely agree with everything you said. As a Christian, I've gotten so bored with all these bland biblical movies. It's one of the reasons why it's my passion to make an animated David and Goliath movie for Dreamworks (I already wrote a full 2-hour draft script). I also have an idea for an anime-style series on the life of Jesus but puts more focus on the supernatural as you said in the video. I have so many ideas of what I can do and once I finished my masters degree in film directing I'm going to do everything I can to get my two passion projects made. Seriously the ideas I have are exactly what you said you want to see in biblical movies.
Although I'm a non-religious person, I adore a portuguese miniseries called José do Egipto, which narrates his life in Egypt and his connection with God and others characters, and it's made with a lot of passion and love for art, I think you would like it! (Sorry for any mistakes, english is not my native language :c)
3:20 re: more colourful clothing, that reminds me of The Dovekeepers (2015)!
which is so soapy btw & I love it
I've often thought these same lines in terms of biblical story telling. There's an element of "fantasitcalism" and otherworldly/supernatural with the different stories; imagine a series where young Jewish children are told their history (ie the different segments of the "Torah" aka the Old Testament) where we have a bit of live action at the start, but as the teacher begins we are transported to the animated world of the past, to see the story of noah, Moses and Israel in Egypt, the Exodus, Joshua's conquests, the age of the Judges, the rise of Saul, his fall and rise of David, Solomon, the corrupted kings and the Prophets that come to foretell judgement on a rebellious Israel. All these stories and more showing the full weight of what is written in the Bible. And don't skip out on those stories, that was "Noah"s downfall, adding in extra stories that had no right existing in an already complete story
There may be a fear in Christian moviemaking that visual emphasis will detract from the purity of the message they're sharing, but Prince of Egypt is a sterling example of how visuals can emphasize the message!
The logical, theological part of me firmly believes in God and the Bible, but I have a hard time registering it emotionally. The use of color, imagery, and general artistry (Like in PoE) is how I'm able to experience those emotions. They reflect that God is an artist too, and it makes me feel close to Him. That C.S. Lewis quote gave me chills, man.
This is a bit off topic but I have a similar issue with color and wardrobe in medieval movies. Why is everyone in those movies (including nobles) wearing grays and browns?
I notice that the live action Bible films you show in the beginning have the colour noticeably muted, which is a touch naughty. Take King of Kings, which you show a few seconds of. I've seen this film many times and have never noticed any lack of colour. Ditto Ben-Hur. Or maybe you've just got the colour on your TV turned down—I don't know. I notice you've also written, "Bible movies are bland, lame and lifeless" yet you don't make that point in the vid; you only refer to lack of colour. Lame and bland are something else again.
Animated Bible films I have no interest in.
Growing up Christian, I was obviously surrounded by Christian cartoons. My entire concept of Miracles is surrounded by rainbows and gold and spectacle. I’m not Christian anymore, but I still believe in a divine entity of some form. I still greatly enjoy and find amazement in the theology and history of Christianity. Bible musicals are fantastic. I absolutely adore Godspell.
As you were talking about the lack of color I was thinking about why these directors feel they need to make everything seem so bland and like mud. And I think the answer is. These movies usually arnt made for spectacle they are to show something. All the Moses movies shows the power of God his ability to take everything away from a powerful power. In a matter of days yet protect those who place a lambs blood over their doorways. And for instance the Passion of the Christ is there to show Christ's love for us that he would endure such pain just to save people who didn't even want it. So I feel that's what the directors see. They want to get that's message across. But I feel you make an amazing point that there should be color and liveliness. We can see the beauty and the love and just the time itself. And it will make those moments of sorrow and all those other emotions even more profound because you have the color of the setting to match the color of the acting.
I’ve met the writer of The Miracle Maker- Murray watts. Fascinating guy with a background in Christian theatre.
I’m so excited by everything you say. It keeps chiming with me. I’m a priest in the Church of England, but my first calling was writer and storyteller. My imagination to tell Bible stories and to do so well for screen is my dream. One day, maybe…