Moses, Part 1
From SPARK
One-sentence summary
Bible movie (TV 2-night miniseries, first aired April 7-8, 1996.)
Description
Life of Moses, Part One.
Begins with dramatic scene of Hebrew baby being seized by Pharaoh’s men and thrown off a cliff. Initial scenes of baby Moses found by Pharaoh’s daughter, with one scene each from later childhood (showing Moses stumbling in Pharaoh’s presence) and adolescence (competition between Moses and stepbrother, who bests him in a game). Moses is tongue-tied in Pharaoh’s presence. Moses struggles with his identity, and runs away from Egypt only after establishing that Jachobed was his real mother. Moses tricks men bothering Zipporah at the well by revealing his Egyptian identity. Shows developing bonds of relationship between Moses, Jethro, and daughters. Burning bush scene well done, but not exactly according to Scripture (not all dialogue recorded in Scripture is included.) Aaron meets Moses halfway in the wilderness on Moses’ return to Egypt. Builds on theme of doubt, reluctance, and surrender. Vivid depiction of plagues and interaction between Moses and Pharaoh, and growth of Moses as leader. Brings the story up to the Red Sea, just before its parting, with a note “To Be Continued.”
Considerations
- Level of Media Sophistication required to understand video. Same as that for any modern movie. Uses flashback. Moses first seen as old man walking through wilderness, and then flashes back to Jachobed pregnant with Moses.
- Type of audience for whom this video might be useful is a sophisticated one which could think about what part of this video was plainly Scriptural and what part was conjecture or dramatic license. An excellent, realistic movie.
- Ben Kingsley who plays part of Moses is a salient Actor/Narrator.
- Actors and environmental details appear genuinely Middle Eastern, whereas musical background is Western.
- Biblical/cultural accuracy is high overall, but contains conjecture and character development of major figures. For example, Moses’ brother Aaron is presented as the Hebrew whom Moses saved by killing an Egyptian. I’m unaware of a Scriptural basis for this. Shot in Morocco.
- Notable interpretation or contextualization of Scripture as it develops characters beyond what is obvious from the Scriptures.
- From the point of View of Actor/Producer/Narrator it is faithful to general theme of Scripture, speaks to modern man, especially as regards doubt and obedience.
Limitations
Graphic violence.
Guidelines for Use
Where to Obtain
Link to Producer or Source Organization
Amazon.com sells both Part 1 and Part 2 (in the VHS format) in one package.
Cost
Producer/Owners
Author/Artist/Producer
Lube Productions and BetaTaurus.
Copyright held by Turner Pictures Worldwide, 1996. (TNT/Turner Network Television).
Current copyright owner
Other Information
Videos for Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph advertised at end of video.
