Joseph (The Bible Collection)

This film is Biblically accurate, well-acted, and the producer and director are to be praised for the sound Biblical reasearch!

Although some of the sexually explicit (though historically accurate) scenes should be screened from the very young, this film is an ideal platform from which teens can search out characteristics of moral uprightness in a character of whom the Bible has not one negative thing to say!

Kingsley (as he did in 'Moses') steals the show, and Mercurio does an admirable job as Joseph. Only Leslie Ann Warren (Potipher's wife) seems to strain as an actor, nevertheless, her performance detracts little from the drama. Especially capable are the actors portraying Joseph's wicked brothers, with Vincenzo Nicoli sterling is his performance as the wicked Simeon.

Having watched the film dozens of times with adults--as well as with my middle-schoolers in the classroom, I can say that the greatest of Bible stories is captured in all its power, pathos, and glory. Although creating a few anachronistic vignettes (such as Joseph's 'foreshadowing' Christ's "My God, my God..." speech from the Egyptian prison), the film also captures all of the great ironies of the Joseph story.

When Mercurio tenderly reveals himself as the second most powerful man in the ancient world--to the brothers who hated him as a youth, the words 'I am Joseph' will not fail to bring even the most calloused heart to tears.

As my students synthesized the thirty or so characteristics of moral goodness extant in Joseph into an essay, one asked why no such heroes existed today. The question revealed both the effectiveness of this presentation, and the dearth of role models in our society.

'Joseph' is both gripping in narration, and brilliant its direction. It is faithful to Scripture and well-acted. It is THE finest of the TNT productions to date, of which only one ('Jacob') was a failure.

Everyone will appreciate this wonderful story of forgiveness, but those those who are looking for the 'hidden things of Christ' cannot miss the poignant messianic threads which are so skillfully woven through the life of Joseph. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!


Gripping and accurate ...the ending will bring you to tears!   January 31, 1999
55 out of 55 found this review helpful

As a teacher of ancient history with a doctorate in Biblical theology, I can say--without hesitation, this account of the Joseph story is as good as it gets! Although some of the sexually explicit (though historically accurate) scenes should be screened from the very young, this film is an ideal platform from which teens can search out characteristics of moral uprightness in a character of whom the Bible has not one negative thing to say! Kingsley (as he did in 'Moses') steals the show, and Mercurio does an admirable job as Joseph. Especially capable are the actors portraying Joseph's wicked brothers, with Vincenzo Nicoli sterling is his performance as the wicked Simeon. Having watched the film dozens of times with adults--as well as with my middle-schoolers in the classroom, I can say that the greatest of Bible stories is captured in all its power, pathos, and glory. Although creating a few anachronistic vignettes (such as Joseph's 'foreshadowing' Christ's "My God, my God..." speech from the Egyptian prison), the film also captures all of the great ironies of the Joseph story. When Mercurio tenderly reveals himself as the second most powerful man in the ancient world--to the brothers who hated him as a youth, the words 'I am Joseph' will not fail to bring even the most calloused heart to tears. As my students synthesized the thirty or so characteristics of moral goodness extant in Joseph into an essay, one asked why no such heroes existed today. The question revealed both the effectiveness of this presentation, and the dearth of role models in our society. 'Joseph' is both gripping in narration, and brilliant its direction. It is faithful to Scripture and well-acted. It is THE finest of the TNT productions to date, of which only one ('Jacob') was a failure. Everyone will appreciate this wonderful story of forgiveness, but those those who are looking for the 'hidden things of Christ' cannot miss the poignant messianic threads which are so skillfully woven through the life of Joseph. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!


a man of character and faith   February 21, 2004
Alejandra Vernon (Long Beach, California)
84 out of 87 found this review helpful

Though this interpretation of Joseph's life has been substantially embellished, the heart and soul of the story remain intact, and is ultimately quite faithful to the Biblical account covered in Genesis Ch. 33:18 through Ch. 46:30.
Much of the acting is marvelous, especially Ben Kingsley as Potiphar, whose part has thankfully been enlarged, because he is riveting in every scene he is in.
Martin Landau is also excellent as the patriarch Jacob, who mourns the apparent loss of his favorite son, Joseph.
Australian actor/dancer Paul Mercurio ("Strictly Ballroom") is good in the lead, and others in the cast include Leslie Ann Warren as Potiphar's lying wife, the always beautiful Dominique Sanda as Leah, and some fine character actors playing Joseph's brothers, notably Michael Attwell (Judah), and Vincenzo Nicoli (Simeon).

Included in this film, and intrinsic to Joseph's life are the stories of Tamar and Judah, and the horrific tale his sister Dinah, both done effectively.The only parts that are less than first-rate are the scenes in Pharoah's court; almost campy in costuming and acting, they can provide some amusement in the midst of all the drama. Stefano Dionisi is a most unlikely and modern looking Pharoah, and has the ultimate babe for a wife, the pulchritudinous Monica Bellucci. The entire film though, is always mentally and visually entertaining, and has much spiritual content. As with so much of the Old Testament, there are allegories that run through its narrative that point to the New Testament, and the story of Joseph has much of this symbolism.

Filmed in Quarzazate, Morocco, with its exotic ancient structures and landscapes, the cinematography by Rafaele Mertes is wonderful; this is a way above average production for television, and a film about a man who "does nothing against his conscience even on pain of death" is worth watching again and again.


AMAZING!   May 13, 2003
Colorgirl (NE US)
16 out of 16 found this review helpful

Having just seen this movie for the first time last night, I have to say that in spite of the very white actors in a culture that would clearly be darker in appearance, this movie in writing, production, and acting overcame that one glaring inconsistency with accuracy and with beauty.

Bible in hand, we marveled to see that this story followed the actual biblical account with astounding accuracy almost never seen in biblical productions. Entirely enjoyable and a marvelously acted piece, my entire family loved this movie. We had been expecting another biblical mish mash eliciting merely yawns, but were startled to see such a wonderful movie.

Martin Landau (Jacob) gave a fantastic performance, as did Ben Kingsley(Potiphar), Paul Mercurio(Joseph) (which bumps STRICTLY BALLROOM out of #1 on my Paul Mercurio list of favorite performances), Leslie-Anne Down was good as Potiphar's wife, and the 11 brothers of Joseph were fabulous. The supporting cast was excellent.

The sensitive and well rounded way in which this story was handled was fresh, creative, yet took no liberties in veering from the original story. Although it is not as spectacular in production as THE TEN COMMANDMENTS and other such movies, this movie was more like it "really" would have happened complete with humanity in all of its misery and magnificence.

I can not speak highly enough of this movie. What a pleasant surprise. We even got a chuckle out of it now and then!


Incredible--Wow!   November 30, 1999
18 out of 19 found this review helpful

I thought this movie was incredible. I am a fourteen-year-old who has read the Joseph story many times in my life. I was so breath taken by this movie and watched it over and over again. It gave me a new understanding of this story. I couldn't believe this movie. I was in awe every time I watched it and I would rewind it and watch it again. I would watch it and just sob and sob at the faithfulness of this man. It helped me raise a better understanding in faith in our Heavenly Father at all times. It gripped me in a way that I became addicted to it. I will never get enough of this movie. If I had to suggest one movie to anyone, this would be it. It is the #1 recommended movie on my list.