Rating: 
Summary: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly."
Review: The Gospel of John stays close to the original source material but strays from the original in the tone adopted by the director for some of the words Jesus speaks, particularly when dealing with various scribes and pharisees. Some moments do require righteous anger such as when Jesus drives the money changers from the temple. However, when Jesus speaks with the scribes and the pharisees who challenge him for healng on the Sabbath, we can expect him to take a tone more appropriate for his title as rabbi; that is, to point out the errors in the scribes understanding of what is required in the law and to gently lead them toward the truth knowing that argument is futile and beneath him.In order to believe that Jesus is the Son of God we must posit three things. First, that he has perfect love for mankind. "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son to suffer and die for our salvation." Jesus knew from the beginning that death on the cross was his mission and he accepted his mission to the end and forgave his enemies with some of his last words on the cross. Second, Jesus must be the most patient of men. He knows all things including the heart of man. He loved everyone in spite of what they might have done or might do in the future and he offered forgiveness to all right to the end when he said to the good thief that he would see him in paradise that very day. Third, Jesus is completey understanding. He loves uncondtionally and has the highest regard especially for sinners such as the prodigal son. Some might argue that what is required is for the sinner to turn to Jesus for forgiveness and that the scribes and pharisees are confirmed in their sin and are unable to repent. This point of view would be a Calvinistic interpretation of the Gospel and one not warranted by the film under discussion. For God to be God, God must be love and love does not condemn but seeks endlessly to forgive. God's love is so powerful and overwhelming (see The Hound of Heaven) that it is never possible to say that salvation is impossible for anyone. For this film to be accurate, Jesus must be completely without sin -- "one like us in all things but sin." To be strident in tone or impatient in action would be inappropriate for Jesus and the viewer must determine if the director properly demonstrates humility and love in all that Jesus says and does. "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eyes." Jesus saw rightly with his heart. The viewer must decide if the filmmakers are true to his vision. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: possibly the worst film ever made on the life of Jesus
Review: The invention of the PC and DVD has paved the way for retelling of the Bible story visually. Some see this as an opportunity for evangelism and for making the Gospel intelligible to unbelievers. The concept forgets that the Scripture is literature, not a movie. Its power lies in its language and text. The Gospel of John is a mediocre film that recounts the life of Jesus by narrating the Gospel of John (Good News Bible). As the Gospel is read, so the viewer is made to witness the action. The film is based upon a noble aim but fails dismally to deliver, despite its splendid narration by Christopher Plummer. Among its several flaws one must make mention of the following. First, the man who portrays Jesus cannot act, is too short, and generally smiles all the time like a Californian surfer. He seems not to be thinking about the words he is saying since he even smiles when he says such this as: "You are the children of your father, the Devil, and you want to follow your father's desires." Second, the acting generally is of the grade of a high school acting class. Third, the choice of translation (the Good News Bible) is mystifying since the power of the Gospel of John lies in its language, and the colloquialisms of the GNB make it all sound like the action happens in the kitchen. Finally, although I am a Christian minister, I had to watch the film over several days: it is that boring. I also did not allow my eight years old to watch it for fear he would think the Bible was uninteresting. Bottom line: possibly the worst film ever made on the life of Jesus.
Rating:
Summary: Top Quality
Review: What an awesome presentation of the Gospel of John! The last half of the movie, in which Jesus does a tremendous amount of speaking, leaves me in tears every time. The acting, directing, and mood/story all get an A+ in my book.
There are many, many Christian products I regreat purchasing, but this was not one of them.
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