Search - The Bible - Jeremiah on DVD

"Behold, I have put My words in your mouth"

Alejandra Vernon | Long Beach, California | 03/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This film is an excellent telling of Jeremiah's life, and although time has been compressed, and some fictitious characters added to fill out the scenario, the heart of this part of biblical history is intact, and follows the accounts given in The Book of Jeremiah, II Kings 23-25, and II Chronicles 34-36.
Some of the additions: The lovely "Judith" (Lenor Varela) as an early love interest, and "General Safan", played by that lionesque man, Oliver Reed, as one of Jeremiah's adversaries, and someone who consistently gives bad advice to the king.
Among the omissions: Jeremiah's good years, when he was a friend and confidant to the devout King Josiah, which ended in 609 B.C. with the Josiah's death.
Jeremiah was older when most of the events that take place in this film occur, and had been ministering since 627 B.C.The film starts with the finding the scriptures, which King Josiah reads to the people, and a young Jeremiah, "I cannot speak, for I am only a youth" (Jer. 1:6).
Sixteen years elapse, and in some of the following scenes, Jehoiakim (Josiah's son) is king, and the constant and brutal persecution of Jeremiah begins.
Patrick Dempsey is wonderful as Jeremiah, and also Stuart Bunce as his faithful scribe Baruch (it is Baruch who in all probability recorded The Book of Jeremiah).
Enter Nebuchadnezzar, played with gusto by Klaus Maria Brandauer. This is one nasty guy, but he is the instrument to complete Jeremiah's prophesies, with his armies sacking and burning the temple (in 586 B.C.) and the ensuing famine in the land. Nebuchadnezzar takes Jehoiakim's son and succesor Jehoiachin captive, and and places his uncle Zedekiah (formerly known as Mattaniah) as king.The final 10 minutes of this film are riveting, with King Zedekiah's fate brilliantly depicted (literaly taken from II Kings 25:7), and Jeremiah's story, though a sad one, is one of faith and perseverance, and well worth watching.
Most of the films in this series are terrific, and have beautiful cinematography by Raffaele Mertes; they are set in Quarzazate, Morocco, with its rugged landscape and ancient structures. A good score by Bruce Broughton adds to the atmosphere, and it's well directed and written (with a fair portion taken from the scriptures) by Harry Winer."

Biblical, Creative, Inspiring

James D. | Joppa, Israel | 08/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This film demonstrates the tremendous power movies have to inspire and instruct. The production team of Jeremiah did an excellent job of taking a 52 chapter book of the Bible and condensing it accurately to film. The dialogue is Scriptural, creative, and inspiring. The acting is superb. The sets, costumes, and effects are all realistic. But what sets this film apart from other Biblical stories on film is that while some liberties were taken with characters and dialogue, they were both believable and in-line with Scripture. One example ? The character of "Judith". Basically, this young woman is the wife-to-be of Jeremiah. They have a tender relationship, share some adventures together, but never marry. Why ? In the book of Jeremiah, God tells him that he will never marry because of the terrible wrath and destruction the Babylonian armies will bring upon Israel. In creating this character, the writers make the audience feel the pain and devastation such an unction from God would bring--far more than if he had no romantic ties whatsoever. But Judith represents even more. In creating this character, the writers brought to life a living metaphor for all good and lovely things God wanted to give His people to enjoy in their lives--had they been faithful to His commandments. Without this faithfulness to God, He could not bless them with all the good things He loves to bring upon His people. This is just one example of a 'liberty' the writers took that, contrary to most uses of this, greatly enhanced the characters and enriched the story. A definite "must see", for both Jew and Gentile."

The character with creative license

Jeffrey Leeper | Seattle, WA USA | 04/12/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was not aware that Bible stories were being revisited by movie studios anymore. From the previews of this video, I see that Trimark has made movies of Genesis, Esther, Solomon, Jeremiah, and Jesus. These are all part of a series.If the other films are like this one, there is a bit of creative license. The book in the Bible deals more with the prophecies from God that Jeremiah told the people of Israel. We get very little about the man. In the movie, however, the writers have given him more of a background. They also provide him with a love interest, and we also see some of his childhood. He also has a couple of helpers including a scribe and a eunuch.Although I would rather they keep to the Bible, I don't think this background hurts the film. Not every statement from the book of Jeremiah is listed in the movie, but this movie is enjoyable without taking away from the prophet. I would simply remind myself that not all of this is found in the Bible.I would recommend this movie."

Gripping-Inspiring-Motivating

barry colin hill | 12/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you know the book of Jeremiah from the Bible you will quickly see how few of Jeremiah's words are actually used in the film - BUT - make no mistake, the mood of this picture succeeds in portraying the tension within Jeremiah as he begins his prophetic career.His unwilling initiation is quite scriptural and you really sense the power of the counter culture which he has to battle against. Nevertheless, as he embraces his calling his influence, through God's direction, begins to hit home and you experience his turmoil as not only he suffers, but the cities of Judah suffer as they reject Jeremiah's word to them. This film is gripping and highly motivating for the believer - will you and I follow as hard after God and His will and, like Jeremiah, be willing to lay everything down for God's call on our lives?"