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The Story of the Twelve Apostles
This documentary from the History Channel does a fine job examining the lives of the 12 disciples chosen by Christ to carry his teachings to the world. Beginning by providing an historical overview of life in Jerusalem under Roman rule, it goes on to cogently explain the circumstances by which Jesus, having become recognized as a teacher, was able to recruit his apostles. Intelligently handled reenactments provide dramatizations of significant events in the lives of the disciples, and their diverse personalities and individual relationships with Jesus, as well as their lives following the crucifixion, are covered in some depth. Biblical scholars, including university professors and priests, appear throughout in interview segments to offer their insights, and the narration by actor Martin Sheen is understated but always interesting. The issue of separating fact from myth is dealt with at some length, and a discussion of how some accounts of the lives of the apostles came to be judged as the Apocrypha is of particular interest. The Story of the Twelve Apostles is a commendable look at some of history's most intriguing figures, 12 men who were considered outlaws but whose influence is today felt around the world. --Robert J. McNamara
The Story of Paul the Apostle
The impassioned life work of the devout Jew who persecuted Christians until he heard the voice of God is thoroughly examined in this 66-minute History Channel documentary. Drawing on the biblical writings of his friend Luke, his own Epistles, and the meager additional writings of the time, this film begins with Paul's conversion and follows his three decades of traveling missionary work, imprisonment, trials, and eventual martyrdom in Rome. Biblical scholars and historians augment Martin Sheen's narration of this secular look at his life. Lavish illustrations include artwork (stained glass, mosaics, paintings, sculpture), old black-and-white movies, contemporary reenactments, and footage of today's ruins of many of the temples and landmarks where Paul preached from Israel to Turkey to Athens. Always controversial in his day, Paul gets his due here, being credited as the single most influential person in taking Christianity from a fledgling sect to a worldwide church. --Kimberly Heinrichs
Customer Reviews:
Good shows.......2007-01-24
Let's call this what this is, a show to help you understand who the Apostles were without having to sift through the New Testament. Not that the NT isn't a good read. Consider this sort of the Cliff Notes version. It allows you to get into their heads a little more to see the hows and whys of their following Jesus.
sounds fishy to me..........2006-05-09
The Beautiful Savior Jesus Christ who created you and me and alone is capable of forgiving our sins, undoubtedly doesn't want a famous liberal humanist who fights for abortion rights to be narrating anything about His story.
Jesus Is God.
Tell Him you're sorry for sinning,
believe that He can forgive your sins,
and you go to heaven to be with Him forever when you die!!
He took your punishment for you already.
That's what The Bible teaches us :)
PRAISE JESUS!!!
He is the greatest phenomenon to ever cross the horizon of this world.
Excellent production value.......2005-06-14
This A and E production for the History Channel is a summary of the history of the 12 Apostles and of Paul. Martin Sheen's narration makes this a powerful production: he gives the stories presented both flavour and emotion. The visual images are also quite dramatic: panning the location of many of the biblical events were to have occurred, snippets of audiovisual productions telling the Christian story, and artistic works inspired by biblical events.
The only drawback is that the content is not particularly enlightening as the production does not deviate greatly from the four gospels, the Acts, and Paul's letters from the NT. I would agree with the last reviewer: there is no political message in this material: it is merely reciting the historical events during the first century of the church.
Simply a Powerful Historical Angle.......2003-03-28
I completely disagree with Robin E. Simmons (a.k.a. "Top 1000 Reviewer") review of 3/24/03; I believe she has become bias in all her "reviewing"; perhaps you need to slow down Robin. I did not see ANY political or religious bias in this AT ALL - that's what, not only made this fascinating, but very informative. It is raw and it is very powerful; I felt it cuts straight to the heart of the history surrounding the Apostles. It certainly put the flesh on the skeleton for me. Definitely check them out!!
THE MEN WHO MARKETED CHRISTIANITY.......2003-03-25
A two disc set from the History Channel, THE APOSTLES includes "The Story of the Twelve Apostles" and "The Stoy of Paul the Apostle." Narrated by Martin Sheen, it's hard to disassociate the material from his high-profile Catholic and political bias. That said, the material is an OK primer on Jerusalem under Roman rule 2000 years ago and the fascinating identity of the men who promulgated what was to become the Christian religion, now embraced by well over a quarter of the world's population. St. Paul's message was simple: The free gift of God's grace to a broken world that needs healing and that "all are one in Christ." Look around; it's still a volatile message.
Description
Ancient Evidence is a fascinating series of programs, using dramatic re-enactments and CGI graphics, to piece together compelling evidence of the great figures and events from biblical times. Did Joseph actually have a coat of many colors? Was Mary Magdalene really a prostitute? This series answers these questions and many more.
Customer Reviews:
Impressive.......2007-01-05
This is a wonderful addition to anyones video library. They approach the subjects in a non-religious, scientific manner. I like that. It's "OK, here's what the Bible says, here's what we know, here's what we can prove. Now go make up your mind." They don't set out to debunk the 'religiousity' of any of it, just to present the facts based on what we know. Plus, the visuals of the area are unbelievable. This is perfect for anyone with an interest in Christianity.
Well-Produced, but flawed in some aspects.......2006-02-21
Overall, this series is well produced and provides some interesting things to think about. The actors and costumes used in the reenactments seem to reflect the time period of Jesus Christ accurately. It was refreshing to finally see Jesus and the Apostles pictured as the tan to dark skinned middle eastern Jews they are, rather than as white Greco-Roman persons that they are traditionally pictured as.
The series purports to discover evidence and compare parts of the Bible with modern science. It is presented from a mostly secular liberal point of view (I am sure conservative Christians will not like it). My impression is that it is trying to discuss new theories floating around in the academic world. I found the series interesting, but flawed in some respects.
I noticed that there are some factual inaccuracies in parts of the series, particularly in the DVD that deals with the Apostles. In the reenactments, the series shows Paul falling down a hill when Jesus appears to him on the road to Damascus. None of the Biblical texts (and to my knowledge the Christian Apocryphal texts) have a version like this.
In some parts of the DVD, the series is blatantly dishonest and tends to ignore the Biblical account of what they are supposed to be investigating. One episode explores the theory that Paul's vision of Jesus may have been epilepsy. But the series never mentions that according to the book of Acts, the people traveling with Paul saw the light as well (Acts 22). The series is selective in what Biblical texts that it uses and when.
Some artistic liberty is also taken in depicting some of the reenactments. One episode shows Paul breaking a statue of the goddess Diana (Diana is mentioned in Acts 19). This incident doesn't occur in the Bible or any of the Apocryphal texts.
Oddly enough, the series claims they have probably found the Hebrew Patriarch Joseph's tomb and house in Egypt. You might want to buy the series for that purpose (or just the one DVD, "Ancient Evidence - Mysteries of the Old Testament").
The topics discussed are way too involved to fully handle in 45 minute episodes. There is no substitute for studying history on your own. If you decide to buy this series, you should also look for an opposing viewpoint. Since one episode also references Apocryphal works. I would also read "The Acts of Peter" and "The Gospel According to Mary Magdalene" (even if you do not accept them as valid) to better understand what the episode is trying to argue. If you are a Christian, I would also read the Gospels and book of Acts before watching so you can catch the obvious errors in some of the episodes.
FICTIONAL, BIASED, NOT GOOD..........2005-12-13
Yuck! It would be so nice to see a balanced perspective. It's not apparent in any of the series out there on cable tv that they even try to get other opinions. This one especially. I trust and believe the Bible is accurate. This series does not. Buy "The Stones Cry Out" DVD from World of the Bible Ministries and "The Second Great Battle of Jericho" by The Associates for Biblical Research. Then you will get another perspective.
Haven't those in the media ever heard of The Near East Archaeological Society, The Associates for Biblical Research, The Institute for Biblical Archaeology, World of the Bible Ministries? Here is a list people that unfortunately many in the media forget about.
Dr. Bryant Wood
Dr. Edwin Yamauchi (infrequent guest)
Dr. Gary Byers
Dr. Bob Smith (from Florida)
Dr. Charles Aling
Dr. Clyde Billington
Dr. Michael Wise
Dr. William Shea
Mr. Gordon Franz
Dr Randall Price etc;
Good, not fictional.......2004-10-04
I saw those documentary's on disc channel and i recommend them to people who are not extremist
people who talk negative about this are just extremist,
It is thruth that about some archaelogical evidence you can argu in different directions but this is a very plausible and more realistic story, because the bible is totally contradiction
NO bible is a absolute thruth
The statements where for sure not fictional.
Good, But Not Complete.......2004-05-22
I watched this series every week on the Discovery Channel and enjoyed it very much, although I disagree with some of its findings. If a thought-provoking (though at times controversial) set of documentaries on the Bible is your cup of tea, then this box is for you.
I would give this set 5 stars, if it weren't for the fact that there was space on these discs for two more programs in the series. Discs 1 and 3 contain only three episodes, while disc 2 has four. The program "Who Was Moses?" would have fit rather nicely on the first DVD about the Old Testament. And if the episode on the second disc called "The Real Disciples" had been placed on the third disc, titled "Mysteries of the Apostles", there would have been room on disc 2 for perhaps the best documentary of the entire series, "Mary, the Mother of Jesus". I think the Discovery Channel and the BBC dropped the ball a bit on this set but, overall, it is still worth the purchase.
Average customer rating:
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The Da Vinci Code - The Total Story Collection 2 Disc Special Edition The History Channel Authentic Region 1
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Product Description
Author Dan Brown's phenomenal best-seller The Da Vinci Code has captured the mind and the imagination of the world -- but what are the facts behind the fiction? It is possible that Jesus really did have a family? What do we really know about Mary Magdalene? Who were the mysterious Knights Templar, and what evidence exists about that most elusive of religius relics -- The Holy Grail?
This remarkable DVD set explores the true stories behind these mysteries as only THE HISTORY CHANNEL can -- using unparalleled research and expert commentary. As captivating as the book itself and featuring six complete, full-length programs, this DVD set is a masterful blend of history, speculation and mystery.
Set Contains: Beyond the Da Vinci Code, The Templar Code, Davinci Code Bloodlines, Opus Dei Secrets Revealed, Mary Magdalene: the Hidden Apostle and The Holy Grail.
Product Description
8 DVD Collection includes books of Matthew, Luke, and Acts.
Witness Jesus' miraculous ministry on Earth as recorded by John; accompany the Lord through Holy Week as portrayed by Matthew; and behold the birth of the church as recounted by Luke! Shot on location in Morocco and South Africa, the Visual Bible DVD Collection vividly re-creates the life of Christ and the beginning of the early church in these stunning word-for-word dramatizations of the biblical text. Eight DVDs. Closed-captioned.
DVD:
- The Astronomers
- The Awful Truth - The Complete DVD Set (Seasons 1 & 2)
- The Celts - Rich Traditions & Ancient Myths
- The Day After Trinity
- The Directors - The Essential DVD Collection
- The Dreamers (Original Uncut NC-17 Version)
- The Dreamers (Original Uncut NC-17 Version)
- The Errol Morris DVD Collection (Gates of Heaven/The Thin Blue Line/Vernon, Florida)
- The Exodus Revealed: Searching for the Red Sea Crossing
- The Filth and the Fury - A Sex Pistols Film
DVD
DVD
Christianity-The First Two Thousand Years
A History of God (History Channel) (A&E DVD Archives)
Apocalypse - The Puzzle of Revelation (History Channel) (A&E DVD Archives)
Mysteries of the Bible - The Bible's Greatest Secrets (History Channel) (A&E DVD Archives)
Mysteries of the Bible 2-pack
