Search - The Exodus Decoded (History Channel) on DVD

Fantastic and Engaging

L. Reynolds | United States | 09/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From minute one the host of this fantastic program engages your mind. The views are cold and hard edged in that they did not bother to remain politically correct. Instead they give an awaking view of the events of the Exodus historically, biblically, scientifically and archeologically. Anyone, Christian or not, could appreciate the lengths to which these brave individuals go by traveling to hostile territory to put to film evidence of this highly debated event of the Exodus.

Tensions build as the Egyptian government's armed presence on site tries to deter the explorers from filming archeological evidence that could very well prove the stories true. After all if a mighty empire such as the one of the Egyptians was placed in such peril by a group of slaves, it is no wonder they try to keep the truth permanently buried in the sands of the desert.

A must see. Intriguing!
"

If you have an open mind...

C. Hopkins | United States | 10/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You can listen, watch and process the information presented. While the controversy surrounding the Exodus has existed for thousands of years, there are indeed facts associated with it.

The Producer, James Cameron, and the host, Simcha Jacobovici, an Emmy Award winning filmmaker, pull together and weave a compelling narrative that is historically, scientifically and Biblically engaging. The science is solid and accurate. The comparisons between the Bible's account and the review of facts that are pulled together, provide a fresh perspective that is well thought out and appears to be a valid rewrite of the "scientific" and "historical" record.

This film does NOT attempt to remove God from the story, only that God could have utilized the Earth and its natural forces to affect the outcome of a people and this time in history.

Highly recommended if you are open to a means of defining a Biblical account using science to show what could have really happened, via God's hand (or not)."

Appalling manipulation of Greek archaeology

mariakam | Springfield MA USA | 07/14/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I just saw The Exodus Decoded on History Channel.

At the beginning I found it very interesting and perhaps even convincing.

As the argument progressed, I became frustrated and exasperated!!! The extent of manipulation of Greek archaeology was amazing... As an experienced Greek archaeologist, who specializes in prehistory, I was appalled by the interpretation of a number of the Mycenae grave stelai, and further more of the golden ornament with the doves.

It is very easy to interpret an artifact in such a way to fit one's story. The grave stele are decorated with motifs that have been portrayed in Greek art since the 3rd millennium BC, and the golden ornament portrays a Minoan tripartite shrine (a motif very well documented in Minoan Art/Crete). Furthermore, the implications that the people who were buried in Mycenae/Greece were Hebrew, are beyond comment... Only someone who has no knowledge of Greek history and archaeology, would ever imply this.

The interpretation of the Thera fresco has also been manipulated to fit the Exodus story, too.

It is a great pity that a widely viewed channel, such as History Channel is, instead of stimulating people's minds, creates misconceptions of world history by offering dangerously misleading arguments, falling pray to the propaganda of certain producers and directors.

Mrs Maria Kamoulakou
Archaeologist
"

Should have given credit to Velikovsky

Science-minded | USA | 07/23/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I think that this documentary is correct in that the Ipuwer papyrus and inscription of El Arish are related to events in the Book of Exodus. However, the documentary should have given credit to Immanuel Velikovsky (1895-1979) who was the first to propose that these Egyptian texts contain historical memories of events in the Book of Exodus. Velikovsky discussed these texts in his 1950 'Worlds in Collision' and in his 1952 'Ages in Chaos'. Also, although the Ipuwer-Exodus parallels are indeed striking, the papyrus does not mention a hail of mingled fire and ice as claimed in the documentary.

The documentary's idea that the Israelites were Hyksos is not realistic. The Hebrews would not have made up the idea that they were slaves, especially if they had been Hyksos rulers of Egypt who were expelled during a civil war. However, Velikovsky's main ideas on the Exodus and on the identity of the Hyksos in 'Ages in Chaos' really make sense.

The claim in the documentary that Ahmose was the pharaoh of the Exodus is probably wrong, for Ahmose probably lived centuries after the Exodus. Based on books by Velikovsky it appears that some pharaohs, including Ahmose, have been dated centuries too early in the conventional chronology of ancient Egypt. If their dates are moved forward to correct this, Egyptian history fits more convincingly with the histories of neighboring countries. The respective histories then shed light on each other. Unfortunately, many archaeologists today probably know little or nothing of the real content of Velikovsky's works because Velikovsky has been widely misrepresented for decades.

The documentary does well in showing how earthquakes and volcanism might explain extraordinary events in the Book of Exodus. Interested readers would also enjoy books by Velikovsky or 'Unwrapping the Pharaohs' by John Ashton and David Down.

"