Review of Hollywood and the Bible
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Dustin Stopher
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Review of Hollywood and the Bible
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Hollywood and the Bible" by Benjamin Sambul.]
Hollywood and the Bible is a dissection of movies based on Old Testament stories written by Benjamin Sambul. Each chapter generally introduces a notable Biblical film and then proceeds to discuss the film in terms of plot, casting, Biblical accuracy, and artistic interpretation. Among the films included in the book are The Bible, The Ten Commandments, and The Story of Jacob and Joseph. Sambul’s description and analysis of these films makes for a unique type of text that feels almost like a collection of movie reviews for religious films. There is also a glossary for Biblical films not discussed in the chapters.
To its credit, the book is a fairly easy read. The chapters are digestible and moderate in length since each covers a film and its discussion. This format makes it accessible for those simply looking for the author’s take on a specific movie. Sambul does a great job of summarizing the events of the movies so that those unfamiliar with a film can still understand its plot and the critiques given by the author. The insights given on a spiritual basis are specific contributions that are not typically offered by other movie reviewers. The religious discussion of the films is thankfully not alienating, as it centers more on accuracy and style than on its potential to spread spiritual messages or beliefs.
There are some critiques that I have of the collection. First, I feel as if the movie selection could have been more robust. Only a single film released after the year 1980 is analyzed, and even then, this film receives the least attention of any of those mentioned in the collection. Out of only six films, I would hope for a broader scope unless the author claimed to specifically be looking at foundational films of the Biblical genre. Second, the commentary came across to me as somewhat shallow. The bulk of the text simply recapitulated plot points of the movies, and the analysis of the films were relatively short in length. It would have been more interesting to see a full breakdown of the spiritual philosophy of certain scenes or the backstory of why certain directions were taken. What is present looks more closely like a rudimentary draft of a discussion rather than a full analysis. Lastly, explanations of spiritual significance or plot events could have been clearer. Occasionally, the author will refer to a story that he assumes readers will be familiar with. However, with some examples, like the tale of Hyrcanus and Aristobolus, I was left in the dark. There were some editorial inconsistencies that could be addressed as well. It was a toss-up whether God was stylized as “Gd” or “G-d”, even though it was stated that the “G-d” spelling would be used for the work. The common thread across these critiques is that the essence of the work appears to be lacking in places and could benefit from increased thoroughness and elaboration.
Nevertheless, the book seems like a great choice for film students, Christians, and Jewish people alike. The catalog visits Biblical films from the formative years of Hollywood, and there is a lot to glean from this era of movies from both a cinematographic and theological perspective. I could easily see this book being a guide to a movie club or film class that is investigating Biblical adaptations on the silver screen. Non-religious audiences may not find much in this collection that sparks their interest, especially if they are unfamiliar with Biblical stories. Similarly, those who do not consider themselves fans of old movies may want to pass on this work.
Overall, I give Hollywood and the Bible 2 out of 4 stars. I admire the author’s enthusiasm for these movies, but the execution of this collection is, in my estimation, bare-bones. It accomplishes its goal of sharing some takes on older films from the point of view of a religious individual. Yet, substantial work is needed before it can become a respectable guide of this slice of Hollywood. I would raise my rating if the analyses were fleshed out, the movie selection was expanded in number and variety, and the presentation was improved for a general audience.
******
Hollywood and the Bible
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Hollywood and the Bible is a dissection of movies based on Old Testament stories written by Benjamin Sambul. Each chapter generally introduces a notable Biblical film and then proceeds to discuss the film in terms of plot, casting, Biblical accuracy, and artistic interpretation. Among the films included in the book are The Bible, The Ten Commandments, and The Story of Jacob and Joseph. Sambul’s description and analysis of these films makes for a unique type of text that feels almost like a collection of movie reviews for religious films. There is also a glossary for Biblical films not discussed in the chapters.
To its credit, the book is a fairly easy read. The chapters are digestible and moderate in length since each covers a film and its discussion. This format makes it accessible for those simply looking for the author’s take on a specific movie. Sambul does a great job of summarizing the events of the movies so that those unfamiliar with a film can still understand its plot and the critiques given by the author. The insights given on a spiritual basis are specific contributions that are not typically offered by other movie reviewers. The religious discussion of the films is thankfully not alienating, as it centers more on accuracy and style than on its potential to spread spiritual messages or beliefs.
There are some critiques that I have of the collection. First, I feel as if the movie selection could have been more robust. Only a single film released after the year 1980 is analyzed, and even then, this film receives the least attention of any of those mentioned in the collection. Out of only six films, I would hope for a broader scope unless the author claimed to specifically be looking at foundational films of the Biblical genre. Second, the commentary came across to me as somewhat shallow. The bulk of the text simply recapitulated plot points of the movies, and the analysis of the films were relatively short in length. It would have been more interesting to see a full breakdown of the spiritual philosophy of certain scenes or the backstory of why certain directions were taken. What is present looks more closely like a rudimentary draft of a discussion rather than a full analysis. Lastly, explanations of spiritual significance or plot events could have been clearer. Occasionally, the author will refer to a story that he assumes readers will be familiar with. However, with some examples, like the tale of Hyrcanus and Aristobolus, I was left in the dark. There were some editorial inconsistencies that could be addressed as well. It was a toss-up whether God was stylized as “Gd” or “G-d”, even though it was stated that the “G-d” spelling would be used for the work. The common thread across these critiques is that the essence of the work appears to be lacking in places and could benefit from increased thoroughness and elaboration.
Nevertheless, the book seems like a great choice for film students, Christians, and Jewish people alike. The catalog visits Biblical films from the formative years of Hollywood, and there is a lot to glean from this era of movies from both a cinematographic and theological perspective. I could easily see this book being a guide to a movie club or film class that is investigating Biblical adaptations on the silver screen. Non-religious audiences may not find much in this collection that sparks their interest, especially if they are unfamiliar with Biblical stories. Similarly, those who do not consider themselves fans of old movies may want to pass on this work.
Overall, I give Hollywood and the Bible 2 out of 4 stars. I admire the author’s enthusiasm for these movies, but the execution of this collection is, in my estimation, bare-bones. It accomplishes its goal of sharing some takes on older films from the point of view of a religious individual. Yet, substantial work is needed before it can become a respectable guide of this slice of Hollywood. I would raise my rating if the analyses were fleshed out, the movie selection was expanded in number and variety, and the presentation was improved for a general audience.
******
Hollywood and the Bible
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Reconfigurement by E. Alan Fleischauer
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Peace10
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I don’t understand if this is a movie or a movie in a book for real. Great review by the way!
Latest Review: Jurisdiction Denied by Jack Gold and Marc Debbaudt
