Friederike L. from RIVERSIDE, CA Reviewed on 5/11/2009...
I really like this movie.( Even that I'm not cathlic) It portraits Mary very well. Both actors( for the young Mary and the older one( Pernilla August- Starwars-) do a great job w/ letting us come to know Mary better - you just have to like her.They both bring warmth through. The relationship between Mary and Jesus is the main point of the movie.( so the public life of Jesus is shown very short) There is a strong bond between them, which can almost give you the feeling to be right there.Also Jesus( Christian Bale) is portrait very likable. He often smiles and shows love to Mary and others. Mary has a strong faith and is also a leader and great example to other.I have seen other movies about Mary( older ones) that were a little heavy and not close to scripture. But this one is different.My only caution is the scene when Mary and Elisabeth come to see John the Baptist in prison and see the dead John( not for children!)They could have left that one out. But the rest of the movie is great.I definitly recomment it. This is one of my favorite "Jesus" movies.
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Anne K. Reviewed on 9/11/2008...
I own this... only becuz i have all of Bale's movies. I would not recommend this to a bible-movie fan. Its really lame. Its so boring and the story is rushed. Bale comes in later as the adult Jesus and he does a good job considering the horrible dialog. Its worth a watch only to Baleheads, like me :)
0 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
Jesus & Mary: Strong, Wise Down To Earth Characters
imearthbound | 04/07/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This may very well be my favorite Jesus movie ever. I think this movie has not been given the full attention nor credit that it deserves. The movie starts off showing how Mary was kind, wise and brave in spirit and thus why she was chosen to to give birth to and raise to manhood the Son of God. Nice too is the fact that Jesus while Savior to world is so very down to earth. Mary is respectful to Jesus because she knows he is savior to the world and yet Jesus is respectful to her because she is his earthly mother and the movie that great friendship as mother and son between them. What I like about this Jesus movie it that it is true to Scriptues, noting that Jesus was/is the Savior and Son of God..but ever so tactfully avoiding the the trinitarian vs. the unitarian issue. This is a great movie and I would highly recommend it."
Mary's Gospel: Lite and Fast
G P Padillo | Portland, ME United States | 03/30/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This short, budgety film was produced by the Schriver/Kennedy family and it certainly will find an audience. It isn't bad at all, and it certainly is earnest.
In less than two hours however, we are whisked through the early womanhood and life of Mary, as well as Jesus's 33 years. It's a whirlwind tour, but not an unpleasant one. Christian Bale is a rather young Jesus, but, like everyone else involved here, very sincere.
The film takes licenses that some may object to, but certainly make their point. Mary is shown as a stronger influence on her son's life than is normally depicted, but I believe these are nice, realistic touches that add much depth to a beloved but not entirely understood figure, whether historical, religious or of fantasy. This Mary witnesses a stoning, and later is herself almost stoned for her unwed pregnancy, foreshadowing Jesus' saving of a woman stoned for adultery. The child Jesus listens to bedtime stories that would later become his parables, etc.
It's nicely done, providing the requisite emotional wallop at the end."
I cried throughout
Brian T. Parker | Houston, TX | 12/23/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been a bible believing christian most of my life, but lately I've been going through a dry spot in my faith. I've felt uninspired and unmoved by my church life and walk with God, and mostly discouraged by my own fear and failures. I asked God a couple of days ago to please 'flip my switch'...touch me...I need a touch from you. After working all day today, I sat down and flipped the channels and on the TBN network, this movie was showing. After watching it for about 10 minutes, I knew this was God's answer to my prayer. This movie to me is 10 times better than The Passion of the Christ because it shows the Lord's stature growing in each successive scene. Jesus's sufferings started from day 1...not just the last 12 hours of His blessed life on earth. It showed how each important step in His life, he growed in grace in majesty. As He went on, He felt the weight of the world's sin more and more. He bore that weight with grace and without sinning Himself. And it depicted His dear mother as sharing in His suffering (the greatest of honor according to others such as Paul the apostle). The artistic license if forgivable. There is nothing in the heart of this movie but pure love, presence of the Holy Spirit, and the eternal, yet misunderstood, love of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. I weeped serveral times throughout this movie. Thanks for 'flipping my switch' God!"
Mary, Mother of Jesus
Sharon Hollinger | Poway, CA USA | 09/05/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The reason I found this film so inspiring is because unfortunately, Mary and I share something in common. We both had to watch our child take their last breath. Before seeing this flim, I hadn't thought much about the heart renching things that Mary had to endure, and through it all, she never doubted God plan for her life. She had complete trust in Him to see her through. Cherish your children each day, introduce them to Jesus Christ, tomorrow you may not have that opportunity."
Jesus became a REAL person to me
Donna L. Pettinelli | Sugar Land, Texas (near Houston) | 09/05/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have seen other movies about Jesus. This version helped me see Jesus as a real person living life. I made a connection of the reality of Jesus's life. Until I saw this movie, I did not know how much God worked through Mary and how much she suffered knowing what she had to do and let happen because of her son. I love to watch this movie many times because it makes Jesus real to me, helps me to have courage, and helps me to practice and grow in my faith."