In the Beginning
In the Beginning
| 12 November 2000 (USA)

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SEASON & EPISODES
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  • Reviews
    Comwayon A Disappointing Continuation
    StyleSk8r At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.
    PiraBit if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.
    Gurlyndrobb While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.
    mikedavis914 I was born in the era that you feared God and when it comes to the bible, "let it be written, let it be so".I am 50 years old and a believer. This movie helped me understand all the events that happened in early history. I believe in every word that is in the bible and so should you.This movie will explain (no matter how corny the costumes are, the actors are etc) the events from Abraham to Isaac and Jacob forward. I find it fascinating how the movie is so correct to what the bible teaches.Some may criticize the directing and acting but the story is real and should be taken to heart. If you are a true believer, you will see this movie many times in your life as well as the 10 Commandments movie.
    JLRMovieReviews This is a very moving telling of the "beginning" of the Bible. If you know practically nothing about the bible, like me, except for some basic fundamentals, you will rewarded in learning some of the stories and will be entertained by the way they are brought to life in this television movie. It does have a foreword to it, saying they took some dramatic license, but you get the feeling they are very true to the heart and depth to the Bible and are very reverent of its subject. Its main emphasis is on Joseph and His Coat of Many Colors, but it does make reference to Adam and Eve; Cain and Abel; Abraham and his wife, Sarah; Jacob; Esau; and Moses. The role of Joseph was cast well with Eddie Cibrian, and Martin Landau gives his usual best and sincerity as Abraham. At first, I was wary of Billy Campbell as Moses, but as he aged I liked him more and more. I particularly liked the part where the sea parted and Moses didn't make any dramatic speech. He stands high on the rock, in silence and felt God's presence and power, and the sea parted. "In the Beginning" is a very powerful and faithful movie that knows that less is more and tells the story without the DeMille flashy touches of "The Ten Commandments." I wish they could have acted out the whole Bible. But it does make me want to read my Bible. So, it is very successful in making the viewer want to learn more about our beginnings.
    gbennie I was somewhat bemused by some of the odd casting choices in this TV film. First of all, there is a great variety in nationalities such as British, American, Indian, Pakistani etc. Getting down to character specifics, some of the cast worked and others did not.Martin Landau was rather good as Abraham but perhaps too dominant, with anger in his voice in the opening scene. Jacqueline Bisset had a natural complexion but was too young and her grey wig was quite obvious. In this film she is supposed to be way past maternity age yet it seems surprising that in "Joan of Arc" the year before she played Joan's mother quite convincingly. Geraldine Chaplin as Yocheved might have been a better choice for Sarah, by switching their roles. Joseph looked the part but unfortunately had an American accent. As other reviews stated, I did not think Moses was done too badly apart from his prosthetic nose in the last scene. Perhaps the candidate for the worst acting was Sara Carver as Hagar, who as an African American, asked too many questions that her role did not call for. She also had a strong British accent. I was also surprised by the scene where Abraham attempts to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, where he is described as a "boy" in the Bible and not 24, Luke Mably's age.Amongst these casting frustrations, others delivered well such as Rachel and Leah (who bore enough similarities so that they could be possibly mistaken for one another), Rebeccah and Rameses II. The stories had to be abridged but did not need such a simple script. Sarah's line about Hagar being beautiful, in particular, was definitely not necessary. The effects were attempted well though the snakes turned from staffs looked animated as did the thunder on top of Mount Sinai, when Moses was getting the Ten Commandments. The plagues were skipped through rather quickly with little build up to the parting of the Red Sea. The Garden of Eden looked like a set especially when Adam and Eve were being banished and running through the thunder and wind. Also, before Moses pushed it over, the golden calf looked like it was made from paper-mache. I like the fact that this was not a Hollywood adaptation and tried to be realistic in the scenery. However, at times this film was perhaps too dull and uninteresting that I found myself fast-forwarding sections.Do not expect great performances or special effects but this adaptation still tries to remain true to the Biblical stories.
    bryanwx10 I see this movie for the non-believer or someone who is fresh in Christianity because the movie did stay true to the overall truth but it simply left out certain facts which happens when you convert a book to a movie...I am not saying that this is right...but what I am saying is that a person who watches the movie and enjoys it will definitely be intrigued to read the stories for themselves and receive a deeper understanding...I would recommend this movie for the believer or the non-believer overall good movie which acts like a fisherman of men! I agree with some of the comments of the first reviewer but I think he should remember not everyone is on his level...and that the Christian 101 who might just be intrigued by the New Testament will find solace and understanding before they tackle Genesis and Exodus.