This nearly three-hour movie unfortunately misses the mark when it comes to scriptural accuracy. In this movie, Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus is in love with Jesus, although the Bible suggests no such thing. In fact, in this film Lazarus kicks Jesus out of his home when Jesus spurns Mary! Never mind that they were very close according to scripture and Jesus later raises Lazarus from the dead. In addition Pontius Pilate helps plot against Jesus before Jesus is even brought before him! Jesus demands that God bring Joseph back from the dead when his earthly father passes on. Also, in one of the film’s most glaring errors, John the Baptist tells Jesus he will baptize Jesus if Jesus will confess his sins! In fact, the Bible is clear that John told Jesus he needed Jesus to baptize him (John) and he wasn’t worthy to unlatch his shoes. He recognized Jesus as the lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. When Jesus loses Joseph to the grave, Mary reminds him he has a heavenly Father to which Jesus replies, “Joseph was my father.”

Other errors abound but there is also a problem with brief nudity as the side of Mary Magdalene’s breast is seen in addition to a brief glimpse of her nude behind as she is dressing after being with one of her “johns”. The film also contains bloody violence, partly from sword fights by the Romans fighting the Jews and also with Jesus’ crucifixion. A nail is graphically driven in with blood spurting out and Jesus crying out in pain. A scene showing Judas hanging himself is graphic and disturbing. As for the film’s shortfalls in accuracy, I can only assume the filmmakers intended to “humanize” Jesus in the movie. In fact there are a few scenes which include him chasing his disciples in a game and skipping stones on the water.

Due to the aforementioned inaccurate portrayal of the scriptures and the bloody violence, we are unable to award our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal to this film.