Visual Bible - Matthew

The wonder of these videos, however, is the fact that they are able to make you think. While sticking so closely to the Bible and with well researched visuals, the producers, directors, and actors give their own interpretation of the story, which allows you to open your eyes to something new. The best example of this is Bruce Marchiano's portrayal of Jesus. Instead of the solemn, serious person you usually picture, here we see a person who enjoyed life, laughed, and had some fun in between dealing with the serious issues of life. When I first watched these videos, it made me look at my preconceived ideas of God very differently.

While expensive, these DVD's are worth checking out for a different perspective on a familiar tale.


Life-changing   December 8, 1999
22 out of 22 found this review helpful

This video portrays Jesus in a way that I have never experienced. It depicts Him with very real emotions. There is laughter, joy, sadness, despair, etc. I was very impressed with the fact that the entire story was told from scripture...verbatim. There is no words added, whatsoever, it's told strictly from scripture. I didn't think I would like that but that turned out to be one of the most impressive things. This video will definitely change your life. If you don't Christ, you will...if you want to know Him better...you will! After watching this, I don't know how anyone could refuse His gift of salvation!


the power of The Word   February 14, 2004
Alejandra Vernon (Long Beach, California)
22 out of 22 found this review helpful

This is a lovingly crafted production of The Gospel According to Matthew, and is a treasure to own for repeated viewing. Filmed in Cape Town, South Africa, it is visually beautiful, with marvelous detail in the costuming and set design; it has a cast of mostly unknown actors, anchored by Richard Kiley and Bruce Marchiano. Notable in the cast is Gerrit Schoonhoven, wonderful as Peter, and Marcel Van Heerden as John the Baptist.
Kiley is fabulous as an aging Matthew, who is dictating his gospel to two scribes, and with his resonant voice he narrates portions of the dramatization of Jesus' life.

Bruce Marchiano is remarkable in the long and difficult part of Jesus. His portrayal is strong, warm and accessible. It is a Jesus who laughs and hugs people, and the first two tapes are largely in this upbeat mood, with it not getting dark and dramatic until the entering of Jerusalem on the third tape.
Marchiano is the only one in the cast with an American accent, which at first sounds odd, especially since his voice has an uncanny resemblance to Kevin Costner's, particularly when speaking with force and emotion (perhaps they both hail from the same area of the country), but this initial reaction is soon forgotten as one gets engrossed in the film.
Marchiano is an expressive actor, and so natural; he is hilarious in Ch. 7:3-5 (the speck in your brother's eye), and so moving in the parable of the wedding feast (Ch. 22:7-14), and 23:3-39, when Jesus speaks to the scribes and Pharisees. It's a powerful performance, nuanced and full of insight, and will inspire the mind and feed the soul.

Taken from the New International Version, the language is contemporary, and is understandable to all, making it an excellent introduction to the Bible for children.
Vol. One, Chapters 1:1-9:1; 58 minutes.
Vol. Two, Chapters 9:2-14:36; 58 minutes.
Vol. Three, Chapters 15:1-23:39; 70 minutes.
Vol. Four, Chapters 24:1-28:20; 64 minutes.