Customer Reviews
Totally stupid and silly 
2008-08-26
This movie came out in the theatres when I was in elementary school, and it was all the rage, so "inspiring." Well, I loved the music, and even sort of liked the film (when I didn't fall asleep during it; saw it at the drive-in). I was thrilled to recently receive it as a Christmas gift. Well, when I watched it again all these many decades later, I really cannot see what the fuss was all about. The film drags on endlessly, the garden of Eden scenes are so dark it isn't funny (so we can see no nude images, which I do understand). The actors, though greats and great in other things, simply are NOTHINGS when it comes to their acting. There is not a real person amongst them, and the Bible is telling the stories of real people. Noah comes across like a mentally deficient idiot (but the ark looks very impressive). There is simply no direction, no purpose in each story we are presented with. The sets and cinemascope are wonderful, the music is epic (and beautiful and well in keeping with the grandeur of the topic), but that is about all. The script and dialogue are laughable, not to mention silly to the extreme. It was definitely a product of its times, and well, we can and should do a much better version of the same thing now. Since it is covering certain chapters of Genesis, one cannot expect any smooth flowing of plot, as we are actually dealing with many small stories. But, as a point in favor of the movie, that fact really doesn't upset the viewer at all. We just take it for what it offers us. It was a bold move, to try and make a movie about the Bible (and admittedly, we are not really seeing a movie about the Bible, had that happened, I think we would still be watching the first showing today, it would take that long to tell the tale), and I have to admit that the project did come off rather well in places, and proved it could be done. I only wish the director actually believed in what he was producing. He didn't believe the Bible to be truth, nor did he believe in God, so he really didn't have anything to "bring" to the table when creating this movie, and it shows. He is basically presenting an emotionless, empty, liveless, portrayal of things he really thinks were less important than standard fiction of the day. The fact he could actually step outside himself long enough to do what he did, and accomplish what he was able to accomplish (which was really quite a lot) is a miracle. But I am left wondering, "How much MORE could we have had, if he actually was creating a project he actually believed in?" I haven't bothered to watch the movie again since I watched it after I opened up the wrapping. Kids and other visitors have tried to watch it, but usually turn it off because they are so bored it isn't funny. They don't get a thing out of it. It was a great attempt at doing something really good, of actually having a "Bible Epic" that deals with the Bible and not some fictitious character "living at the same time as great Bible events." There are people today who really enjoy this movie, and it "speaks to them" in special ways. It proved there are audiences out there who wouldn't mind having a Bible movie that actually is based on the BIBLE. Now we just need someone who believes in the Bible and believes it actually has lessons for our times worth hearing who will create such a movie for us. Someone who will make these people spoken of in the Bible into real Flesh and Blood people, like they were when they lived on this earth adn recorded their life stories for the future generations to read. I rated it only 2 stars because of the stupidity of the writing, I give it 5 stars for effort, and 2 stars for results. It does have something to offer, though, and that I am not overlooking as I share what I found wrong with the movie. And I know that those who really find it fabulous, it is what those things are bringing to you that makes this movie touch you as it does. It is just the movie didn't bring those things to me in the way I really would have wished to have experienced them.
Very low quality 2008-08-03
The video on the DVD is very poor quality, it's very dark and low contrast and flickers a lot, there is a constant non-artistic vignette.
The music is over powering but not good and makes it hard to hear what you want to. It sounds like they just decided to play a generic track regardless of what was going on on screen the music doesn't match the film in any way.
A statement from the BIBLE 
2008-07-03
This was a story created from OUR LORD to instill in our souls the true meaning of HIS thoughts for LIFE and FAMILY.
Timeless Classic 2008-06-04
This is a classic, I've seen it many times just needed to have it in my collection. A must for "true believers", others should just enjoy, John Houston is great as Noah, and the rest is just plain excellent.
Great Movie and Moving 2008-03-21
This was a fine movie with great emotional appeal. People are so used to all the bang and shabazz of high-tech movies today that it comes as a shock when real old-fashioned drama comes into play. As for the light-heartedness of the people in the ark, from a dramatist point of view, smart move. The flood was a horrendous ordeal so some lightheartedness about it helps keep the faith of the folks inside.
I was impressed by the movie. If John Huston was an atheist, I wouldn't have known. It was a job well done with the right pacing and performances. George C. Scott was brilliant as Abraham. Some of the moves seemed a little "theatrically stylized", but those are theater actors on film. Nothing new. Richard Harris (the original Dumbledore) did a great performance as Cain.
I was impressed. This is worth watching.
Part Brilliant, Part Disappointing 
2007-05-18
The greatest stories of the Old Testament are brought to the screen with astounding scope and power in this international film which depicts the first 22 chapters of Genesis. This is the spectacular story of man's creation, his fall, his survival and his indomitable faith in the future. From the film's opening amidst cosmic chaos, to its lingering message of hope and salvation, "The Bible" stands as a monumental motion picture achievement.
The Bible ,,,,, In the Beginning 2007-05-16
I first purchased this movie when it was on VHS. It is great to now replace the film in DVD format.
Bible In The Beginning 2007-05-14
It was a great view of the Bible. I enjoyed watching this move very much.
save your $, read the book 2007-04-21
one of the last of the biblical epics, this was a bomb in its initial release, and deservedly so. the movie doesnt know whether it is de mille or italian realism, and most of the sequences (adam & eve, tower of babel) are either laughable or langorous (george c scott & ava gardner as abraham & sarah). yet stuck in the middle is a fine half hour sequence of the story of noah, with director john huston casting himself in the one strong sequence in the movie: replete with the right mix of humor and awe. that half hour isnt enough to recommend buying or renting the dvd, but if you can catch it on tv some day, its worth a half hour of your life.
THIS IS THE VERY BEST VERSION EVER MADE. 2007-02-19
THE ACTING AND COSTUMES ARE EXCELLENT. THE MUSIC SETS THE MOOD PERFECTLY FOR EACH STORY. THE SPECIAL EFFECTS ARE GREAT. THIS IS A MUST SEE FOR BIBLE ENTHUSIASTS. THE ACTING IS VERY GOOD. YOU FEEL AS THOUGH YOU ARE PRESENT WHEN THE EVENTS ARE OCCURRING.
