Abraham
From SPARK
One-sentence summary
This is a good story of Abraham and his pursuit of God (187 min.); it generally fits with Scripture but there are parts that are open to interpretation.
Description
From DVD cover
“Go away from your father’s house to a land I will show you. Make a great nation. And I will bless all those who bless you and curse all those who curse you.” A humble shepherd named Abraham hears these words from God and embarks on an epic journey to the Promised Land. With his family and a handful of followers, Abraham faces thirst, famine, war, the might of Pharaoh, and his own doubts to become the father of three great religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Richard Harris (the Harry Potter series, Unforgiven) leads a stellar cast including Barbara Hershey, Vittorio Gassman, and Maximilian Schell in this sweeping Old Testament story. Filmed in Morocco’s rugged Atlas Mountains, Abraham captures the power of God’s will…and the devotion of one man.
Considerations
The actors, clothing, scenery, and background music are all very good. Aging of the characters with time is also well done. For the most part the story fits well with Scripture. Abram is searching for something more than the gods that are worshiped by the people at Haran (including his own brother, Nahor), which do nothing for him. Finally, God speaks to him (Gen 12:1–3) following a storm in which he is swept down a stream by a deluge of water. He then leaves his family to go to the land God is going to show him. From then on he seeks to follow God as much as he is able. He is shown as a humble, peace-loving man.
After several years in the land where God called him, a famine drives him to Egypt. God did not direct him there but he knew he had to go or the people would die of starvation. After a harsh trip, they are only allowed to enter Egypt because of Sari’s beauty, and she is taken into Pharaoh’s palace. Because of Abram’s great love for Sari, this is an extremely trying time for him. But God delivers them and they come out with large herds and people, including Hagar, who was Sari’s servant in Pharaoh’s palace. After Lot separates from Abram, God confirms his covenant with Abram. Later, God again confirms Himself through Melchizedek’s visit. Yet when Sari feels she is past child-bearing age and Abram has no heir, she convinces him to take Hagar so they might have a child. This results in much trouble for Sari and eventually for Abram. Abram is shown to have great love for Ishmael and believes he is the heir God promised.
Yet, after many more years God appears again to Abram and changes his name to Abraham and Sari to Sarah and promises a son through Sarah. After Isaac’s birth, Sarah sees problems in the future between Ishmael and Isaac and encourages Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away. God confirms this to Abraham and he sends them away. Then he puts all his time into training Isaac. The story concludes with God calling Abraham to offer Isaac as a burnt offering and then at the last moment stopping him and providing a ram instead
Limitations
The movie is very good but much is added to fill in what is not mentioned in Scripture to make it a dramatic story. For instance, the story begins in Haran and the characters are developed there over a period of about 30 minutes, yet Scripture only devotes five or six verses to this period. Much is also added to their time in Egypt. Considerable time is devoted to what happens with Sari in Pharaoh’s palace. The story is also expanded around Hagar and Ishmael. On the other hand, there are portions of the scriptural account that are left out. For example, in the account of the confirmation of the covenant in Gen 15, the sacrifices, future prophecy concerning his descendants, and the presence of God as a smoking firepot and a blazing torch is not presented. Also, the story of Lot and his daughters is left out, as is the story of Abraham’s interactions with Abimelech.
There are scenes of violence during the fighting around Sodom and when Abraham and his allies fight to free Lot and his family. Also, there is some sexual content that may not be appropriate for young people, e.g. revealing clothing of women in Pharaoh’s palace, and scenes around Sodom.
These are only one reviewer’s observations. If you are interested, you should view and test this movie with your people group to learn their reaction and identify any scenes, music, or cultural issues that could detract from the Word of God.
Guidelines for Use
Where to Obtain
Link to Producer or Source Organization
Cost
The Bible Collection, which includes six movies (Moses, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David, and Samson and Delilah) can be purchased for $48 (Sept. 2007) from amazon.com.
Producer/Owners
Author/Artist/Producer
Turner Pictures presents a Lux Spa Production
Current copyright owner
TNT Originals, Inc., and Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.
Other Information
Reviewed by
VMS Staff: Vernon W.
Date
September 2007
