Rating: 
Summary: Best telling of the story I've seen
Review: Of all the Jesus movies that are broadcast around Easter time, this one has topped them all. The portrayal of Jesus is wonderfully human, in notable contrast to the stilted performances I've seen before that were all "Son of God" but no "Son of Man."This movie is simple enough for young children, but will definitely keep the attention of adults. People familiar with the Bible will especially appreciate the attention to detail (for example, the 12 stones on the breastplate worn by the high priest; see Exodus 28:15-20). Also, the makers of this film did not allow the tedious requirements of this type of animation to limit the physical expression of the characters. At one point, Jesus looks positively exasperated when someone calls to him to test him with a question. I think this film appeals to any Christian denomination, and maybe also to non-Christians who are looking for some life in the story of Jesus. This is a fantastic, no-frills, "just Jesus" interpretation.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful depection of the life of Jesus
Review: This was one of the best depictions I have ever seen of the life of Jesus, and amazingly, it was done all in 3d animation, using molded puppets, and in hand drawn animation. I never would have thought that the story could have been told so well using this format, but this movie was truly well told. Unlike a lot of the other stories told about Jesus, this one was mainly told through the eyes of Tamar, the daughter of Jairus. Tamar was the little girl who had died, but Jesus had said that she was only sleeping, and that he would awaken her. That was the extent that we had heard about her in the bible, but this story tells a lot of what happens from her perspective, and though unusual, it did a very good job. Also, one of the things rarely seen in other movies on Jesus, we got to see more of his human side in this movie. Jesus was after all, both a man, and God, so it was nice to see him portrayed that way, to see him laughing, taking joy in life, and not above taking time to enjoy life. It was interesting to see how flashbacks, some miracles, and the parables that Jesus told were done using animation, to give a different style to the movie. They were also done in a somewhat humorous style, and were easy to understand, so that we could see how the parables reflect our own lives. The story never got too preachy, and instead, just showed us the way that God wants us to live our lifes without hammering away at the point. Ralph Fiennes did a good job as the voice of Jesus, as did everyone else, adding to the overall production value of the movie. His inflections, especially as he told the parables, was right on, lending value to the stories themselves. You could feel that he was speaking right to the people, showing them the right path, and trying to help them follow it. I was simply amazed, particularly since the movie only runs for about an hour and a half. Some things are skipped over in this production, some of the other parables Jesus taught such as the man with two sons, and there's no mention of the feeding of the multitudes either, but with the time constraints, certain things had to be cut out. What we are left with though is more than adequate, and leaves you with a warm feeling long after the movie has ended. I highly recommend this movie to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: There May Be No Better Movie of the Greatest Story
Review: I have seen a LOT of movies based on the gospels, and was not expecting to be so touched by one that was done with puppets. There's something about the animations, vocal performances, music, and selections that makes the characters, including our Lord, seem more like real people than in other versions. I don't understand it; but it's remarkable. My kids loved it, too. This is the movie version of the gospel that I sent to all my nieces and nephews.
Rating:
Summary: IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!
Review: I just want to say what an awesome, awesome video this is. I do not usually watch TV and glanced at the listing mainly because Ralph Fiennes was mentioned and I really like his work. On Easter, I flipped on the TV about ten after seven and came across The Miracle Maker and decided to check it out. I am so glad that I did. This has to be the most Bibically accurate "movie" on the life, death, resurrection and acsension of Jesus I have ever had the privilege to view. I do not agree with Anne Hurley's editorial review: I did not find the portrayal of characters "consistently subdued" - I was glad to finally see Jesus portrayed as I have always imagined Him - strong, tall, laughing, bold...it may have been only claymation but it was definitely anointed claymation! As a student of the Bible I was impressed and thrilled to see more of the ministry of Jesus shown - casting the demons out of Mary Magdalene, raising Jairus' daughter from the dead, Thomas confronting his resurrected Lord and on and on and on...The BBC always does a superb job and this is no exception. Buy it, buy it, buy it!!! You will be blessed!!!
Rating:
Summary: The best Jesus movie in the past decade
Review: Now that is a pretty strong statement for me to make. After all I am a huge Christian Bale fan and I loved his performance as Jesus in "Mary, mother of Jesus"...but how can I compare "Mary..." with the superb "The Miracle Maker" and I dont mean the story of Helen Keller. I remember hearing about the Miracle Maker and just rolling my eyes. "Great," I was thinking. "A boring claymation story of Jesus' life. Why cant they leave well enough alone?" When Easter came, I had completely forgotten about "The Miracle Maker" being on tv. My mom was flipping through the tv channels and she called me over to see this "crazy" thing on tv. Well it was the "Miracle maker", I was enticed from the first glance. I caught it at the time Jesus was getting baptized by John and wow, I was impressed. This isnt like all the other claymation stories. There is a high level of technology put in to make the claymation Jesus...real. It is like a cross between an animated cartoon Jesus and the real life human being Jesus. It is a big trip. The actors do a fine magnificent job at their roles. If you had to pick only one Jesus movie, this would be it!
Rating:
Summary: Superb and not heavy handed, for a change.
Review: The Miracle Maker tells, in 3#D claymation and animation, the story of Jesus life and death and Resurrection,without so much of the treacley smarmy treatment that fundamentalist retelling often have. There is a wonderfully light touch here,as the BBC once again shows how well it does television. The voice overs are wonderful,Ralph Fiennes as Jesus, Richard E Grant as John the Baptist,William Hurt as Jarius {the raising of his daughter is one of the centerpieces}and others{Julie Christie,etc.] The stories of Jesus life are told in animation{brilliantly so}as are the parables,reverantly and lovingly. This is a top line production,done so well and gently that my children actually liked it and watched it. there is nothing controversial here,though, of course the message of Jesus is, as always,startling and fresh. Absolutely wonderful family fare.an Amazing production
Rating:
Summary: Miracle Maker is Wonderful!
Review: I too saw this fantastic animated film on Easter, 2000 on television. And, I was spell bound! I was really moved by an animated movie! It was amazing how historically and Biblically accurate it was. I have come to expect some degree of "artistic license" in any film about Jesus (especially these days). But Miracle Maker kept such license to a minimum! I was also astounded that an animated movie could capture the feel of Israel at the time of Jesus so very well. The costuming of the characters, the appearance of the buildings, even down to the way the Jews typically ate! Finally, in this film Jesus looks Jewish! I found out from the film's website that the makers of this film actually did a vast amount of research for this film (on archaeology etc.) as well as consulted several Christian theologians to be Biblically accurate. The animation to is wonderful and is very intersting the way it shifts between "claymation" and 2D cartoon looking stuff. Very interesting. What is best of all though is the producers managed to catch a wonderful view of Jesus Himself. They really honored Him and the Gospel accounts (and for that I am really grateful!). In this film Jesus is compassionate, approachable, powerful, confident, laughs, cries, etc. In other words, He is shown as both human and God! How amazing! How truly amazing! Please see this wonderful film!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful animation and retelling of the life of Jesus
Review: I bought this film after seeing the end of it on ABC one Easter Sunday. I must say it is one of my favorite films and brings me to tears on many occasion. The animation is superb, blending claymation and drawn animation to tell a wonderful story. I also liked the portrayal of the characters with tanned skin, although the British accents were funny and off putting at times, especially their casting of Peter as an Irishman always about to blow his top. Yet, I loved the complexity of the characters, especially Judas and the way they set the story in the historical and political situation of the times. It tries to portray some of the possible motivations for people following Jesus or rejecting him, reasons that are political, spiritual and sometimes class based. This brings the Bible to life for young people as well as old. I'd recommend it to anyone.
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent, Miraculous, Mesmerizing!
Review: This is a beautiful film that you'll enjoy watching again and again. I'm touched every time I watch it. Very authentic and accurate (see notes below). It effectively mixes 3D modeling (literally models with an armature inside to allow for posing) and animation. The models used are 12 inches tall and appear life-like on film because they're adjusted 24 times for every second of film (see DVD insert). Employing predominantly this 3D-modeling, the film uses animation to depict such scenes as the wilderness temptation of the Lord Jesus and His post-resurrection interaction with disciples on the road to Emmaus, as well as the parables such as the Wise Man and the Foolish Man. Ralph Fiennes speaks the part of Jesus. I like that an unfamiliar voice (at least to me) was used. Far better to choose Fiennes than someone with a voice we've all heard in other movies (like Michael J. Fox of Stuart Little, or some other famous actor). The story of Jairus' daughter (Luke 8:41) is an underlying framework through which much of the story is told, which is not what we find in the Gospels; however, in this film it works just fine and doesn't take from the overall story. It sort of anchors the point of view in a way. The animated portrayal of Mary Magdalene as demon possessed (Luke 8:2) is Biblical, but could be scary for little ones-- take caution. The treatment of Judas Iscariot is unique. Very much like the treatment of Pharoah in the Prince of Egypt, this film depicts Judas as someone torn, a character you might dare to sympathize with, if it were not that we know he was a zealot who wanted to use Jesus to gain power. The tedious craftsmanship required to produce this movie is mind-boggling. The teams from Wales and Russia worked for 4 years to produce this film! I highly recommend the DVD which includes the ''Making of'' Documentary. A simply fabulous story. Enjoy the film and share it with your friends.
Rating:
Summary: Greatest story ever told...
Review: My husband and I saw this on Easter 2000. It is by far the most biblically accurate account of the life of Jesus. It is absolutely moving, and it's an instant classic.
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