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Movies / On DVD / The Gospel of John
The Gospel of John

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The Gospel of John (2003)

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Reviews Counted:15

Fresh:4

Rotten:11

Average Rating:5/10

Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for violence involving the crucifixion

Runtime: 3 hrs

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Sep 26, 2003 Limited

Box Office: $3,862,285

Synopsis: A momentous undertaking involving a creative constituency of award-winning artists and esteemed academic and theological consultants from around the world, Visual Bible's THE GOSPEL OF JOHN is an... A momentous undertaking involving a creative constituency of award-winning artists and esteemed academic and theological consultants from around the world, Visual Bible's THE GOSPEL OF JOHN is an ambitious motion picture that has been adapted for the screen on a word for word basis from the American Bible Society's Good News Bible. The story of Jesus' life as recounted by His disciple John, this three-hour epic feature film draws its audience into antiquity by way of meticulous recreation, including an original musical score complete with instrumental sounds of the time. This ambitious motion picture follows the Gospel precisely, neither adding to the story from other Gospels, nor omitting complex passages. Narrated by renowned Canadian actor Christopher Plummer with a distinguished cast from Canada and the United Kingdom selected primarily from Canada's prestigious Stratford Festival and Soulpepper Theatre Company, as well as Britain's Royal Shakespeare Company and Royal National Theatre , it features British actor Henry Ian Cusick in the seminal role of Jesus Christ. John is the best-loved but least understood of the gospels, presenting a uniquely human portrait of Jesus. Intimate and reflective, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN provides audiences with an unparalleled opportunity to understand the tumultuous period in history at the time of Jesus Christ. British actors Stuart Bunce (John), Richard Lintern (Leading Pharisee) Scott Handy (John the Baptist) and Lynsey Baxter (Mary Magdalene) plus celebrated Canadian talents Diego Matamoros (Nicodemus), Stephen Russell (Pilate), Daniel Kash (Simon Peter), Cedric Smith (Caiaphus) and Nancy Palk (Samaritan Woman) are among the highly-praised cast. THE GOSPEL OF JOHN is directed by acclaimed British director Philip Saville ("Metroland"; "Hamlet"; Oedipus the King"), and co-produced by legendary Canadian producer Garth H. Drabinsky ("Ragtime"; Phantom of the Opera"; "Showboat") and celebrated British producer Chris Chrisafis ("The Count of Monte Cristo"; "Reign of Fire"). Executive producers are Emmy® Award winner Sandy Pearl, Joel B. Michaels, Myron Gottleib and Martin Katz. Together they assembled a brilliant creative team including award-winning screenwriter John Goldsmith ("Victoria and Albert"; "Return of the Saint"; "Great Expectations"), veteran production designer Don Taylor ("The House of Mirth"; "Little Voice"), Academy A ward®-winning Sound Mixer David Lee ("Chicago"), Academy® Award winning makeup artist Trefor Proud ("Topsy Turvy"; "Gladiator";"Star Wars") award-winning costume designer Debra Hanson, and highly regarded director of photography and film editors Miroslaw Baszak and Michel Arcand. -- Official Site [More]

Starring: Henry Ian Cusick

Starring: Henry Ian Cusick

Director: Philip Saville

Director: Philip Saville
Screenwriter: John Goldsmith
Studio: ThinkFilm

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Release:

Mar 15, 2005

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • The Gospel Of John
  • An epic in the spirit of THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, this widely acclaimed motion picture is a meticulous recreation of the turbulent era of Jesus and the events that changed the course of history! Narrated by Golden Globe nominee Christopher Plummer (Best Supporting Actor, AMERICAN TRAGEDY, 2000), it?s the bold and powerful story of Jesus as told by his disciple John. The best-loved but least understood of the gospels, John presents a uniquely human portrait of courage and passion encompassing Jesus' entire three-year ministry, the final years of his life. Intimate and reflective, THE GOSPEL OF JOHN offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience the incomparable life and times of Jesus Christ.
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for The Gospel of John

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    The sad truth is that director Philip Saville and writer John Goldsmith have made a picture book rather than a film, one that leans so heavily on Christopher Plummer's placid voice-over narration as to be cinematically inert.

    Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
    04/02/04
    Ty Burr
    Ty Burr
    Boston Globe
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Events unfold as chronological vignettes, and there's little room for screenwriter John Goldsmith to reimagine scenes to mine their full dramatic potential.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
    04/01/04
    Lou Carlozo
    Lou Carlozo
    Chicago Tribune
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Turns out to be surprisingly robust.

    Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
    02/13/04
    Ruthe Stein
    Ruthe Stein
    San Francisco Chronicle
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    I found this Gospel long, dull and, for the most part, acted without apparent inspiration.

    Full Review Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News | comment Comment
    02/13/04
    Robert Denerstein
    Robert Denerstein
    Denver Rocky Mountain News
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Although it might test the patience of the non-believer, for those who take their Christianity seriously, this probably is worth seeing.

    Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
    02/12/04
    Richard Nilsen
    Richard Nilsen
    Arizona Republic
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Despite the filmmakers' efforts to make The Gospel of John into a dramatic feature film, it never quite makes it beyond the lesson stage.

    Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | comment Comment
    01/15/04
    Jeff Strickler
    Jeff Strickler
    Minneapolis Star Tribune
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    The adaptation is not so much tedious as pointless.

    Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
    11/14/03
    Michael O'Sullivan
    Michael O'Sullivan
    Washington Post
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    A slick, earnest, ultimately inert adaptation of the eponymous book of the Bible.

    Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
    11/14/03
    Ann Hornaday
    Ann Hornaday
    Washington Post
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    It's like the Discovery Channel version of the Greatest Story Ever Told, an earnest, not particularly distinguished piece of work that has none of the touch of the poet that made Pasolini's The Gospel According to St. Matthew such a triumph.

    Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
    11/13/03
    Kenneth Turan
    Kenneth Turan
    Los Angeles Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    There is barely a whisper of the spirit, the lifeblood, the passion that has marked the cinema's most memorable explorations of Jesus' life.

    Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
    11/12/03
    Owen Gleiberman
    Owen Gleiberman
    Entertainment Weekly
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Suitably scored and costumed, The Gospel Of John is raised off the pages of the Bible, but more in the manner of a pop-up book than an engrossing movie.

    Full Review Source: Toronto Star | comment Comment
    10/24/03
    Susan Walker
    Susan Walker
    Toronto Star
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Whether you believe Jesus was the Messiah, it is a powerful experience. The movie's images stick.

    Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
    10/24/03
    Eric Harrison
    Eric Harrison
    Houston Chronicle
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    A hero, especially a tragic hero, becomes empathetic when his own actions collide with the hand of Fate. But when the crucified hero is an all-powerful God, when his free will is the only determinism, Fate goes out the window and with it, our sympathies.

    Full Review Source: Globe and Mail | comment Comment
    10/24/03
    Rick Groen
    Rick Groen
    Globe and Mail
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    The heart of The Gospel of John ... is Mr. Cusick's performance.

    Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
    09/25/03
    Matt Weitz
    Matt Weitz
    Dallas Morning News
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    At a very noticeable three hours, it feels like a month of Sunday school classes.

    Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
    09/25/03
    Michael Rechtshaffen
    Michael Rechtshaffen
    Hollywood Reporter
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
     
     
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