Joseph (1995) (2pc)

That out of the way... This is a wonderfully entertaining film. Although I knew exactly what was going to happen next, I discovered that I was very anxious to actually see how the events would be played out in the film. I was especially impressed with the character development of the brothers. Rather than as a group being presented as a single antagonist, they were presented as 10 distinct individuals. It was interesting to me to view their interaction with each other. The actors who portrayed Simeon and Judah delivered exceptionally strong performances.

Paul Mercurio was perfect as Joseph, and I must admit, he's rather easy on the eyes (thankfully since he spent so much of the film dressed in just that teenie tiny little towel)

Ben Kingsley and Martin Landau are both convincnig in their rolls as Potiphar and Jacob respectively.

With its compelling story, top notch performances, and bits seduction, mayhem, and adventure, Joseph is sure to entertain, if not inspire, even the most skeptical viewers.


Interesting but......   August 3, 1999
6 out of 25 found this review helpful

I am a bit flabergasted by some of the five star ratings here. I thought that Joseph was a good movie but more having to do with the second half than the first. One of the reasons I love reading and gain so much from the Bible is that it shows the struggles of "ordinary people" to live a holy life. Joseph never seemed to be ordinary(flawed) in this movie he was a golden boy from start to finnish! While I agree that most of this movie was particularly acurate. The characterizations left much to be desired. Why is Joseph so perfect? I admit that he is a man of great character and intergrity. But the movie fails to point out that one of the reasons that Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers was that he was a proud, arrogant tattle tale whom they could not stand. While I do not in any way commend what the brothers did. The movie makers would have greatly contributed to the story if they had shown how Joseph went from a spoilt daddy's boy. To a humble slave in potiphers slave and wrongfully convicted man in prison. Who ends up becoming the #2 man in Egypt and refuses to dish out payback to his brothers. This portrayal would certainly would have showed how the good Lord can redeem us if we let him. Another minor problem I had was why was it that there were two Josephs? Why use one actor cast into the well and another at the slave market? Paul Mercurio was should have been used in both cases. I have no clue why they did such an extensive expose on the 10 older brothers when they burnt the town? I thought that the movie was supposed to be on Joseph.


Great beginning, great ending   September 11, 2002
TammyJo Eckhart (Bloomington, Indiana United States)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

This four hour video looks a the familiar "Joseph" story from the Bible but with a few wonderful twists. First, it just jumps into the Egyptian setting. Second most of the actors do a great job on their roles -- I want to say "brava" to Leslie Ann Warren for making Potiphar's wife engaging and even more scary than the original tale suggests. Finally, the customs and backgrounds are the best yet that I've seen in a film version of the tale. However, my "four star" rating refers to the "flashback" section of the film. Yes, why it happens makes sense internally but did they need to spend so much time on it? It very sad that Paul Mercurio's careers seems to have turned off onto the "B" grade track -- I think he is excellent in this movie and also in Exit to Eden.