Mary, Mother of Jesus (1999)

Recently, I caught a boat over to Australia. I was caught trying to illegally immigrate into Australia, so I was sent to Christmas Island, along with my brotherin. Whilst there, the only thing we had to pass the time was playing COD Zombies (the sickest) and, of course, watching Mary, Mother of Jesus. And how do I put it...GREASTER MOVIE EVER! Before watching this, I was one of Kony's children, but this has helped me pass that, and become a devout Christian. I now hope to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, and become the savior of our land! Now, I may not be a typical Aussie lad, however I think I have the heart to make a real difference in the world!Now regarding the movie, Christian Bale portrays Jesus TO THE MAX! I mean, what a stunning performance! I know he was in Batman and all, but this is an Oscar-Winning Performance!Now, I embrace God in my arms! I embrace Jesus inside of me!Thank you Mary, Mother of Jesus! You've saved my life!Signed, Steven Mc'Mootris (the sickest)HEY GUYS, if you enjoyed this review, be sure to leave some support, so I can give more to other brilliant movies!

This is quite simply, a movie that never should have been made. At the onset it states "While dramatic license has been taken, we believe this film reflects the spirit and historical significance of the biblical story of Mary and Jesus." In actuality, the story's version of the historical Mary could best be categorized as a cross between of St. Joan of Arc and Helen Reddy, more closely favoring the latter. Herein we are treated to scenes of Mary verbally confronting Roman Soldiers on one occasion, confronting Pharisees stoning an adulterous woman in another; questioning why God would allow suffering, among other examples unbecoming of a woman of faith; giving orders to Joseph and the apostles; among numerous other anachronisms that left my wife and I exhausted from incredulous laughter. (Speaking of Joseph, he is portrayed as questioning Mary "Are you insane?!", and admitting that he had been full of hatred).Rather than continuing the litany of outrages, one can summarize the problem with this movie as a serious portrayal of Mary by one example. Can you imagine a biography of Abraham Lincoln without mention or recitation of the Gettysburg Address, for example? Yet, with all of the made up orations of Mary (out of character with her portrayal in the Gospel) in this film, there is not an excerpt or reference to her central statement of faith, the Magnificat?! (Luke 1:46-55). Such an "oversight" gives clear insight into the motives of those who through this piece determined to make Mary in their own image, irrespective of historical fact.One may wish to envision Mary as a bold, brash, outspoken, leader of her Jewish tribe, but any objective reader of the Gospel would clearly have to recognize such an idea as pure fantasy, and promote this movie as such. The Executive Producer, Eunice Kennedy-Shriver (God rest her soul), admitted that her niece Maria Shriver, as well as none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger himself, had a part in writing the script! (Theologians not, are they). Also, as the trivia section here on IMDb indicates, the perverse entertainer who dares to name herself after the Mother of God was originally cast to play the title role! By all reasonable appearances, this movie did not miss the mark with a few extended liberties with the biblical events by the writer, but was in fact a conscious attempt to re-fashion a central character in Christianity into a more appealing modern type, devoid of reality. Anyone approaching this movie as a devotional tool, or as a rendering of the Gospel story, will be sorely disappointed to say the least. Please, do not waste any expense or time on this piece of artistic garbage. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!

The best movie about Jesus. His mission, his sacrifice are not the fruits of a gorgeous planning but the result of relations with others. Jesus is God but he is man, in same measure. He is actor of his life and just this fact is insignificant in many interpretations of Crist activity.Mary is his mother but she is more. The friendship between mum and son is present in each society and it is the basis of the child education. For first time, Jesus is not a victim, master or victim, The Resurrection is not his great gesture. He is the son and Christian Bale builds a touching character. The tales, the dialogs, the joy and the fear are parts of his presence and means to define him. It is normal if Mary is the most important source and witness of the miracle of his son's work.But the trump of film is the Geraldine Chaplin's interpretation. A powerful presence in a exciting role. Elisabeth is not a flat character, a secondary person but the one of sacrifices who offers the strong essence of a religion.The end, with icons from every cultural space suggests not only the Christian spiritual power but the personal image about believe. Mary is a symbol.Like mother, witness and saint. Like Teothokos and Madonna. Like model and purity ideal. But his image is present in any woman (mother, wife, sister, nun). The image of same Annunciation. And this movie is, for me, a messenger of this truth.

I am in no way a religious bigot nor do I try to preach my own personal religious beliefs onto others, but when it comes to a film with a subject matter like this, then I am prepared to comment and offer my views, whether tainted with my own beliefs or not.I am an Anglo Protestant (Church of England) and a regular church goer, and relish the chance to watch a film like this which I feel not only appeals to me with its inspiring and powerful story, but it has a personal message to give to all of us.Firstly, if I can set the record straight, this film is not about Jesus Christ as many people seem to believe, it is about Mary, his mother. Her sense of spirit and duty and of her strong belief in the spirit of God, a spirit which was so strong it led her to her being God's chosen vessel for Christ's entry into the world. This should put straight the reviewers who have stated that there are many chapters in Christ's life which seem to be overlooked. This is why.The young Mary is played wonderfully by Melinda Kinnaman, an under rated and largely unknown actress, but none the less an actress who seems to understand her part and delivers what I believe to be the most powerful performance in the film. She is one of the most talented and beautiful woman I have seen on the screen in recent years.It charts her struggles through Roman occupation, the scorn and ridicule given my her kinsman after the immaculate conception, the Birth in Bethlehem and the part she played in Jesus' upbringing and his later teachings and death. In essence it is primarily a touching Mother/Son drama using the Bible as a base subject.The nativity, the crucifixion and many other chapters of The New Testament are recreated here, in a truly inspiring story which never ceases to fill my heart with the strong messages it gives to us.Christian Bale plays Jesus well, and I think he stands out as one of the better screen Christ's. (remember Max Von Sydow in The Greatest Story Ever Told....Ouch!)Strong support and for once well researched authenticity, makes this a must for fans of all things Bilical.