Living Bible: A Walk Through the New Testament, Volume 1

From SPARK

Contents 1 Unpublished 1.1 Cross-references 1.1.1 Media Type 1.2 One-sentence summary 2 Description 3 Considerations 3.1 Limitations 3.2 Guidelines for Use 4 Where to Obtain 4.1 Link to Producer or Source Organization 4.2 Cost 4.3 Producer/Owners 4.3.1 Author/Artist/Producer 4.3.2 Current copyright owner 4.3.3 Other Information 4.4 Reviewed by 4.5 Date

Unpublished

One-sentence summary

These are Bible stories - apparently unrelated - made prior to a Bible translation of same name.

Description

Begins with some brief background and maps on Bible times before launching into the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth. Volume 1 contains: Birth of John the Baptist; Birth of the Savior; Childhood of Jesus; Ministry of John the Baptist. (60 minutes)

Considerations

• Level of media sophistication required to understand video is moderate. It contains maps at the beginning, but otherwise uses live actors. Most of action is narrated, but it does contain some dialogue.

• Volume 1 of this video might be useful for a type of audience who have some familiarity with the Christmas story and desire to have further understanding. Not very suitable for more sophisticated audiences that would demand realistic acting.

• Salient actor/narrator characteristics: Narrated by American male speaker. Apparently American actors in biblical costume go through motions, and occasionally speak in King James English. Costumes appear ‘antiseptic' (clean, neat, colorful).

• Biblical/cultural accuracy appears to be high. Some dramatic license allowed to link separate scenes, but follows biblical narrative closely overall. Unsure about accuracy of costumes.

• No notable interpretation or contextualization of scripture.

• From the point of view of the actor/producer/narrator, the narrator generally summarizes biblical narrative, sometimes directly quoting Scripture.

• Additional Concluding Remarks or Recommendations: Has a 1940s “Lassie” or “Robinhood” feel to it due to type of musical background and “stylized” acting.

Limitations

• Dramatic scenes and displays of emotion not very realistic. Angel Gabriel symbolized by column of light and voice-with-echo.

• Somewhat confusing time line, as John the Baptist is shown as an adult before Mary is introduced. Then suddenly Elizabeth is pregnant again with John. Major scenes introduced by ‘scroll' showing title of section. Innkeeper at Jesus' birth is shown to be kindhearted.
• The adult Jesus appears in person to be baptized by John, but method of baptism not clearly shown.

Guidelines for Use

Where to Obtain

Link to Producer or Source Organization

Amazon.com has new and used copies of various sets for approximately $5 US in November 2008.

Cost

Producer/Owners

Author/Artist/Producer

Front Row Entertainment

Current copyright owner

Other Information

Reviewed by

Reviewed by: Steve Quakenbush

Date

Date: January 2002