Joseph
From SPARK
One-sentence summary
A dramatic, realistic movie of the life of Joseph, which is generally true to the Scripture (187 min.).
Description
From DVD Cover
Cast into a pit by his jealous brothers, young Joseph pleads for mercy. Instead, the brothers sell the terrified boy into slavery in Egypt. But Joseph turns this agonizing betrayal into triumph.
Academy Award winners Ben Kingsley and Martin Landau highlight an outstanding cast in this beloved Biblical tale of treachery and redemption. Joseph uses his gift for divining dreams to rise from slave to Pharaoh’s most trusted aide, saving Egypt from seven years of famine. Then his brothers travel to Egypt in search of food…and right into Joseph’s power. “Forgiveness is greater than vengeance,” Joseph declares. “Compassion more powerful than anger.” But can he forgive so grievous a wrong?
Considerations
This is a good movie. The actors, clothing, and scenery are all very good. The music fits well with the culture and scenes, although a couple of times it seemed a little loud. As with Moses, Abraham, and Jacob the story generally fits well with what is known from Scripture (Gen. 34, 35, 37 – 46).
The movie begins with Joseph in the slave market in Egypt. He is bought by Potiphar and taken to be one of his slaves. Joseph excels above the other slaves due to his ability to read (doesn’t mention how he learned to read Egyptian writings) and God blessing his work. From the start Joseph is shown to stay true to his God even in the midst of ridicule and persecution from the Egyptians with their many gods and Pharaoh as a living god. The portrayal of events in Potiphar’s house leading to his imprisonment is well done.
It is during Potiphar’s questioning of him after his wife’s accusation and demand to have him killed; that Joseph relates his life story and it is played out on the screen. It begins by Joseph explaining why he could never rape anyone because of what happened with his sister Dinah at Shechem. It goes on to tell of his brother’s jealousy of him and their selling him into slavery. The story then goes back and forth between Joseph in Egypt and what is happening in Canaan, including the story of Judah and Tamar.
Joseph’s interaction with, and interpretation of, the cupbearer’s and baker’s dreams is well done, as is his interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams and rise to power. When his brothers come to Egypt they are still bickering with each other – nothing seems to have changed among them over the 20-plus years. When Joseph forces them to bring Benjamin back with them on their next visit and then Benjamin is taken for stealing Joseph’s cup, the brothers do unite around Benjamin. This gives Joseph hope and he reveals himself to his brothers. The movie ends with Joseph and his sons meeting Jacob as they are arriving in Egypt. Overall it is a very dramatic representation of the story of Joseph.
Limitations
Although the story weaves around known events in Scripture, it does fill in the gaps and is therefore open to interpretation. The story of Dinah at Shechem is an example of this. Dinah and her family are invited to a combination festival for the gods of Shechem and a wedding. Scripture only says she “went out to visit the women of the land.” The movie shows Jacob’s sons killing all the people of Shechem, yet Scripture indicates they took the women, children, animals, and wealth as plunder.
According to the movie Jacob intends to make Joseph, and later Benjamin, his heir, as he believed Rachel was to be the mother of his heir. I don’t know the evidence for this in Scripture, although it does say Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons.
Some of the events with Judah and Tamar do not match with Scripture, although the main points are indicated. This is also true of Joseph’s interactions with his brothers in Egypt, especially the events just before he reveals himself. According to Scripture, Judah makes a plea to Joseph to take him in place of Benjamin as a slave so he would not have to see the misery that would come upon Jacob. Although some of this is indicated in the movie, the overall picture is the unity of the brothers over Benjamin.
This movie may not be appropriate for young people due to some of the violence and sexual content. Potiphar’s wife’s dress is very revealing, as are the dresses of Pharaoh’s wife and Asenath.
The producers do a good job with the limited cast of people and animals, but it is evident that the flock of sheep is awfully small to require the care of ten brothers. Also the number of people in and around the Egyptian city is too small.
Guidelines for Use
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.
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
TNT Originals, Inc., 1995
Current copyright owner
TNT Originals, Inc and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Other Information
Reviewed by
VMS Staff: Vernon W.
Date
September 2007
