Search - The Living Bible Collection - The Greatest Stories Ever Told on DVD

The HOLY BIBLE: Timeless, Classic, and Priceless...

Angelis | New York City | 07/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"WOW! WHAT A COLLECTION!

Anyone who loves the Bible, or wants to get to know the Bible, will truly appreciate this collection.

5 DVDs comprehensively walk you through many of the most popular stories of the Bible. Also, this collection is very simple, beautiful, and very much in accordance with Scripture.

Also, anyone who appreciates the old and classic movies of the 50's will love this collection as well (created 1952).

All in all, this collection has enough for everyone. Again, it is timeless and classic, just as is the Holy Bible.

You will certainly love it...all 13 hrs and 33 minutes.

Angelo
NYC"

GREAT series!!!

Peter Estes | Capitola, Ca | 08/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This series, while possibly seeming a little dated as far as films go, is simply fantastic!
This is a 5 DVD set with hours and hours of 15 minute(+/-) Biblically accurate segments following the course of the Bible. I would suggest this set to anyone wishing to learn more about the Bible, and the King and creator of the Universe Jesus Christ.
All praise be to Him!!!"

One of the Best!!!

Lucy Poems | 05/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The early 1950s saw the release of two epic church produced movies on the life of Christ. The first was the 6 hour production of "The Living Christ" (1951) which was presented in 12 half-hour installments. This was followed one year later with another 6 hour film - also serialized into twelve 30 minute segments - entitled "Jesus, the Christ" (1952). The later is the first of four films to appear on "The Living Bible Collection". The significance of these two films is that they are the strongest pictures to date on the life of Jesus; this 1952 version being my personal favorite. "Jesus, the Christ" like "The Living Christ" uses a combination of narration and acting to advance the action. Unlike "The Living Christ"; however, this film keeps the "Hollywood" scripts to a bare minimum and opts for straight scriptural dialogue. As a result, there is a heavier emphasis on off-screen narration to fill in the gaps. If there is a downside to this choice, it's in terms of character development. There is actually less conversation between the characters, so in terms of a film viewing experience, we really don't get to know all of the key players in detail. The disciples, in particular, recieve the short end of the stick; they are a pretty faceless bunch. When in direct comparison to "The Living Christ", this movie is a bit less structured, a bit less colorful, a bit grittier, and perhaps a bit lower in budget. Some of the actors presented here are less than professional - Peter being the main offender. Complaints are relatively minor;however, as this film is very comprehensive and has tons to offer.
Early on, this picture establishes the abusive behavior of the Roman troops towards the Jewish citizens. The climate is ripe for social unrest and the zealot movement is gaining strength. Those who oppose open violence are crying for a spiritual revolution and are turning to the scriptural promise of the coming Messiah. The action is cut to Mary in her room; the angel - an off-screen voice - tells her that she will bear the Son of God. Okay, we see Mary visit Elizabeth (who is pregnant with baby John); we see a disheartened Joseph comforted by an angel; and we see the couple travel to Bethlehem for the Roman census. As there is no room at the inn, the innkeeper offers his stable to Mary and Joseph. The angel informs the shepherds that the Christ has been born and they travel to the stable to see and praise Him. An accurate nativity scene follows. The action picks up with the wise men - more than three in this film - following the star. They are summoned by Herod the Great and they tell him of the birth of the "new" king. The wise men bring gifts to baby Jesus at Mary and Joseph's home. Herod orders the massacre of the innocents, but no action scenes follow in this film. The angel tells Joseph to flee Egypt and he and his family return to to Nazareth only after the death of Herod the Great. Young Jesus' trip to Jerusalem is also present in this film.
The second episode in this series deals with the entire story of John the Baptist from his birth to his death. This movie even covers the stories related to his parents. We see him preaching repentance at the River Jordan; we see him confronted by the Pharisees; and we see him baptize Jesus. Well, sort of...actually we see the wet hem of Christ's robe. I believe Hays Codes in the 1950s prevented viewers from seeing sacred acts on film and in some cases from seeing the image of Jesus at all - thus the "faceless" Jesus films of the time. Anyway, John declares that Jesus is the Lamb of God and tells his followers that the impact of Jesus' teachings will increase beyond his own ministry. While the arrest of John is not shown in this picture, his imprisonment is covered. A cute Salome dances - in the most non-erotic outfit of them all - for Herod Antipas. This Herod is not so reverent of John and is quick to give the order for his beheading. The Herod Antipas/John the Baptist relationship is better explored in "The Living Christ", but this film offers a greater comprehensive overview of the Baptist's life.
Now, let's look at Jesus in this film. Well, he certainly is divine. The miracles performed in this movie are as follows: Jesus cures Simon Peter's mother of fever; he heals a nobleman's dying son; he heals a paraplegic; he drives a demon from a madman; he restores sight to two blind men; he heals 10 lepers; he cures an epileptic boy; he raises a widow's son from the dead; he is transfigured; he heals a man crippled for 38 years; he heals a withered arm; he raises Lazarus from the dead; and he is resurrected. Oddly enough, this movie totally skips over Christ's temptation in the wilderness! Oh well, a film can only fit so much in. Jesus also teaches in this picture and usually to his disciples. He teaches them the Lord's Prayer and an indepth and visual parable of the unforgiving servant. We see the sinful woman wash Jesus' feet at the home of Simon the Pharisee and Jesus recites his parable; we see a very short Sermon on the Mount; and we see Jesus speak to the Samaritan woman at the well - which leads to him teaching in her town.
Okay, let's turn to Nelson Leigh's portrayal of Christ. On a physical level he is a "semi-living room Jesus". He has a distinct caucasian look complete with flowing auburn hair and a trimmed beard; he also dresses in white for most of the movie - though he does change his clothes in this film!!! Leigh; however, is more charasmatic than "flat out" handsome. He is also a bit too old for the part as the real Jesus was in his early thirties. With all physical issues aside and with the sole exception of his extremely stiff "crucifixion" dialogue, Nelson Leigh turns in one of the strongest portrayals of Christ in movie history. I really like the fact that his Jesus is so serious and so focused about his mission on earth. He is somewhat stiff and "Shakespearian" in approach, yet he is not arrogant. This aspect seperates him from the normal human beings without promoting anything demeaning or creepy. Let's face it, while Jesus is fully human, he is something different do to his full divinity. Nelson Leigh's Christ also displays the needed compassionate side; this actor is able to shift effortlessly betwwen kindness and concern. While he smiles on occasion, his portrayal is more that of Jesus the leader; the Christ who has a mission at hand; the Christ who has little time to spare. Not surprisingly, Judas is also stereotyped; he looks like an evil wizard against the backdrop of the other disciples.
Another highlight of this picture is the Last Supper scene. This version is one of the most emotional renditions committed to film. Jesus' interaction with the disciples is first rate and Nelson Leigh's performance as the patient and sympathetic Christ is excellent. This outing also includes the foot washing sequence; a heartwrenching scene displaying Christ's humility and one which serves as a precursor to his self sacrifice. A lengthy Garden of Gethsemane scene follows and contains most of the Biblical events connected with this story. How about the Messiah's moment of despair? Well, Nelson Leigh fairs better than some other actors, but even he misses the mark as the emotionally suffering Christ. His "film Jesus", like most others is just too stoic in the Garden. Okay, after his arrest, Jesus is tried by a genuinely sympathetic Pontius Pilate. This guy really goes to bat for Jesus and actually pleads for the crowd to spare Christ's life. It is odd how Pilate is is portrayed from so many different angles in cinema. We don't actually see Jesus being tortured in this film, but unlike its 1951 counterpart, "The Living Christ", we do see Christ's death march to Golgotha. The result is both touching and powerful. Now, having liked Nelson Leigh's "kind but stern" Jesus for over 5 hours, his time spent on the cross is a let down!!! His Christ dies a very unemotional, stoic, and Shakespearian death. For the record, during the same year, 1952, Christ died a much more convincing death in the otherwise inferior film, "El Martir del Calvario". The film gets back on track with the tomb and resurrection scenes and Leigh returns to the wonderful Jesus he portrayed before the crucifixion. Ths movie covers more post resurrection action than any other Jesus film I've seen. "The Living Bible Collection" also contains the epic "The Acts of the Apostles", the epic "Old Testament Stories", and the short film "The Power of the Resurrection". I believe that all of the films wre produced by the same church organization. Well worth your time and money!!!"