Approved for 12+

Joseph & Mary

"Joseph & Mary" is a biblical drama that follows Elijah, a devout Rabbi, during a time of unrest when King Herod the Great's slaughter of innocent lives claims the lives of two boys Elijah had sworn to protect. Elijah is determined to avenge their deaths, but when he meets Joseph, Mary, and their young son Jesus, he begins to doubt the beliefs fueling his revenge. When the time comes to face his lifelong enemy, Elijah finds himself warring within himself on whether to kill or choose forgiveness.
7
Negative Rating
12345
SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
0
Positive Rating
12345
FaithIntegrity

Dove Review

“Joseph and Mary” is a unique story about the parents of Jesus: his earthly father and mother. Kevin Sorbo stars as Joseph in the film. The movie blends a fictional story about a rabbi named Elijah who realizes Jesus is special, along with the biblical narrative of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. This biblical narrative includes the visit of the Magi to Jesus at his birth and the story of the prophetess Anna and a man named Simeon, who get to lay eyes on the Messiah before they die.

The writers take some creative license in this film. Some of that creative license includes the rabbi Elijah, a friend of Joseph and Mary, helping out a widow named Rebekah and her son. When King Herod decrees the death of children two years of age and younger, his decree affects Rebekah in a tragic way. Elijah becomes her husband and Rebekah’s quest for vengeance is difficult for Elijah to deal with, especially when Jesus speaks to him of God’s forgiveness. Both Elijah and Rebekah will receive an opportunity to show forgiveness, and it isn’t easy. Joseph is a major influence on Elijah, in a good way. Due to a few violent scenes that include some blood, we award this film our “Faith-Friendly” Seal for ages 12 and over.

Dove Rating Details

0
Faith

None

0
Integrity

A man is stabbed in the back and blood is shown and the man dies; other scenes of violence include a woman slicing a man's face with a knife, which causes him to bleed, and a boy being murdered with a sword with blood is shown on the boy, on the sword, and on his mother's hand; screams of children being killed and slicing noises; a woman scratches a man's face and he bleeds; a man slices woman with a sword, but she lives; a man shoves another man; dead body shown on ground; man falls over a cliff to his death; the brief but bloody image of Jesus on the cross.

0
Sex

None

1
Language

A woman with leprosy is called a "Filthy wretch."

2
Violence

A man is stabbed in the back and blood is shown and the man dies; other scenes of violence include a woman slicing a man's face with a knife, which causes him to bleed, and a boy being murdered with a sword with blood is shown on the boy, on the sword, and on his mother's hand; screams of children being killed and slicing noises; a woman scratches a man's face and he bleeds; a man slices woman with a sword, but she lives; a man shoves another man; dead body shown on ground; man falls over a cliff to his death; the brief but bloody image of Jesus on the cross.

1
Drugs

The drinking of wine; a man says he had an extra cup of wine.

1
Nudity

Shirtless man on cross.

2
Other

A woman wants to avenge the death of her two sons; tension between characters; the people are sorrowful, due to heavy taxes.

More Information