Paul the Apostle (DVD, 2004)

This revision of my previous review of this movie is based on additional knowledge since learned, as well as new considerations.

These considerations are expounded upon in the following points:

1. This movie has the best acting of a "Christian" movie I have seen yet. I know not if they professing Christians, but they did perform well.

2. Though "apparently" biblical, only with the obvious. There are many things in the bible different from how the movie depicts it. Paul and Barnabas splitting over pride (really it was over Mark), Paul killing a beggar when persecuting the church (the bible never mentions this), and the sprinkle baptism (baptisms are full immersions) to name a few.

3. There are two very ungodly scenes in the movie. One, of course, as mentioned earlier, is the nude scene. Though in the dark, you can still very much make out the young woman’s figure, leaving little to the imagination. The second, a very licentious dancing scene with a woman wearing very little clothing. These scenes of course, were omitted in the TBN version I saw. I was not aware of them before I bought this DVD, and I shall leave it up to thy conscience and relationship with Christ to determine whether this be permissive to thee. Nevertheless, I do bid thee all beware, for you WILL have to fast forward past these scenes, the scene selection feature is very limited.

4. The movie has more than one plot and extra dialog than that of the bible story (naturally). This makes it somewhat more entertaining.

All considered, this is a very entertaining movie. It is about 45% biblical. It was refreshing to see the story of Paul visualized; but I declare it a necessity to read the biblical account of ACTS first before viewing. It not only gives you the truth before the twisted, but also refreshes your mind so you’ll enjoy the movie more.

I recommend it minus the unchaste scenes.

I had my qualms about buying this DVD. Once I started watching it, I couldn't stop! I watched this 180 min miniseries in one sitting and after that couldn't stop raving about it to my friends.
The movie goes like this. Saul(Paul) is a succesful entrepreneur and a man of great influence and popularity and a student of a the most emminent Rabbi Gamaliel, belonging to the Pharisees. His best friend is Reuben, a priest and Sadducee. Reuben is very zealous for his Jewish faith and cannot stand the new sect of Christians. His anger is percipitated at the success of the Apostles and the loss of his mother (who was secretly Christian), when Peter could not heal her.He then forces Saul into a situation to persecute the Christians, of whish Saul does a good job. However he is converted at the gates of Damascus.......
Reuben, Saul's best friend becomes his worst enemy.The movie continues.
What is fantastic is that, the character Reuben, although is fiction, is at the same time not fictitious. If one goes through the Acts and epistles of St. Paul, we hear of the Jewish hirarchy who are always plotting to ensnare and even kill Paul. These characters have been given a face in Reuben. It is absolutely BRILLIANT!
The only drawback and serious disappointment is that there a 3 scenes which are not acceptable. They consist of nudity and erotic dancing. Otherwise it would have been a fantastic movie to show in church circles. Due to these scenes, I would strongly advise people from doing so.
Paul is shown to be a man with burning love and devotion for Christ his master, and his epistles are filled with love and hope and not the fire and brimstone with which he is traditionally associated. One cannot feel that the spirit of St.Paul himself was guiding the actor. A great meditation for the Pauline year.

I love movies based on the Bible like In The Beginning, Joseph, Esther, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Passion of the Christ, David, Salomon, Apocalypse Of John, and The Ten Commandments. Though they are not 100% one and the same with the Bible I am very pleased with them. But “Paul The Apostle” (though as a motion picture is a great film) is not a reflection of the actual life of Paul and has a lot to be desired. There are many acts of this apostle that are not based in the Bible. For example: The Bible says that Paul and all the men that were with him fell to the ground when he was called by Jesus and the film doesn’t show that. It also doesn’t show the other times that Jesus talked to him. It seems to me that the directors of this movie were more worried about building up a superficial story and forgot history. There is a made up friend of Paul’s, the way baptisms are done are not based on truth, Stephen doesn’t see the Heavens opened and the list goes on.
I still think we should buy it in order to cooperate with this trend of making films based on the Bible. If there is no demand for this type of films, they will simply stop making them.

I love how wonderfully this movie depicts the life of Paul. It is a very powerful story. I bought it so that my family and I can learn about this very godly man of the Bible and how he spread the word of God so vast and far. This Paul the Apostle DVD is part of The Bible Collection movies. I was ecstatic to own yet another one of these movies so I can be deepened in my faith and some day my future children can be taught by them as well. This was an excellent buy! I am very pleased!

I bought this on Disc and so glad I did. I did not know too much about Paul's life. After watching this film and re-evaluating what I thought I knew, I realized more insight into who Paul may actually have been like and what he might have gone through. I enjoyed all the color, the characters, the clothing, the action and etc... keeps one attention and interest.