The Bible (miniseries) explained

Genre:Biblical epic
Drama
Creator:Roma Downey
Mark Burnett
Based On:Catholic Bible
Director:Roma Downey
Mark Burnett
Starring:Diogo Morgado
Roma Downey
Darwin Shaw
Andrew Scarborough
Narrated:Keith David (US version)
Robert Powell (UK version)
Theme Music Composer:Hans Zimmer
Lorne Balfe
Lisa Gerrard
Country:United States
Language:English
Hebrew
Num Episodes:10
Producer:Roma Downey
Mark Burnett
Richard Bedser
Dirk Hoogstra
Julian P. Hobbs
Editor:Robert Hall
Iain Kitching
Tom Parsons
Julian Rodd
Dominic Strevens
Cinematography:Christopher Titus King
Rob Goldie
Peter Greenhalgh
Runtime:440 minutes
Company:Lightworkers Media
Budget:Under $22 million
Network:History

The Bible is a television miniseries based on the Bible. It was produced by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett and was broadcast weekly between March 3 and 31, 2013 on History channel.[1] It has since been adapted as a feature film, Son of God.

Burnett, best known for producing prime-time hit reality shows, considers the scripted 10-hour series to be the "most important" project he has undertaken. The project was conceived by Burnett and Downey after watching Cecil B. DeMille's 1956 film The Ten Commandments for the first time since childhood.

The series is Mark Burnett's first scripted project.[2] In addition to Burnett and Downey, executive producers include Richard Bedser and History's Dirk Hoogstra and Julian P. Hobbs.[3] The first episode of the mini-series was seen by 13.1 million viewers, the largest cable television audience of 2013 to date.[4] The second installment continued "to deliver blockbuster ratings" for the network, attracting 10.8 million viewers. The third installment on March 17, 2013, was once again the No. 1 show on all of Sunday night television with 10.9 million total viewers. In addition, the series garnered 4.2 million adults 25–54 and 3.5 million adults 18–49. In total, with subsequent airings, The Bible has received more than 100 million cumulative views.

The series received three Emmy Award nominations for best miniseries, and sound editing and sound mixing on July 18, 2013.[5]

Parts of the telecast – including unaired footage – have been turned into a feature film about the life of Jesus entitled Son of God.[6] A sequel series with the title A.D. The Bible Continues aired on NBC.[7]

Description

The series covers "Genesis to Revelation" in "one grand narrative," structured as ten hour-long episodes broadcast in five pairs,[8] with each episode containing two or three biblical stories told through live action and computer-generated imagery.[9] According to Burnett, it included "obvious" stories such as Noah's Ark, the Exodus, and the life of Jesus Christ.[10] Five hours are taken from the Old Testament, five from the New. The series is based on the New International Version and the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.

Downey and Burnett said their "greatest hope" in making the series was that it would "affect a new generation of viewers and draw them back to the Bible."[11]

"Part of what we hoped to accomplish with the series was to show the Bible is not simply a collection of unconnected stories which are often discussed and analyzed in snippets with chapter and verse numbers," the couple wrote in an op-ed in The Huffington Post. "Instead, we wanted to show how the Old Testament connects seamlessly to the New Testament. How they are one sweeping story with one grand, overriding message: God loves each one of us as if we were the only person in all the world to love."[12]

Cast

Development

In May 2011, The New York Times reported that Downey, Burnett and their production team were selecting stories for the series, with production scheduled to begin in 2012 for a 2013 broadcast. The budget for the series was under $22 million. Researchers and theologians were asked to verify accuracy. Academic consultants included Craig A. Evans,[13] Helen Bond, Paula Gooder, Mark Goodacre and Candida Moss.[14] Shooting took place in Morocco and elsewhere.

Burnett and Downey consulted "a wide range of pastors and academics," including their friend Joel Osteen, Joshua Garroway (a rabbi from Hebrew Union College), and a Catholic cardinal. Geoff Tunnicliffe of the World Evangelical Alliance, read each episode's script and visited the set in Morocco: he "wanted to be sure that the final edits would hold together as a singular thematic message throughout the entire series" and "was not disappointed."[15] Another consultant, Focus on the Family President Jim Daly, applauded the couple's courage for making the series: "Let's face it, it takes some moxie to lift up the Bible in the middle of Hollywood. In fact, when they first proposed the project they were told to try and tell the story without mentioning Jesus. They refused."[16]

Other project advisors included:[17]

Days before the series premiere, Downey and Burnett authored an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal arguing that Bible teaching should be mandatory in U.S. public schools because "(t)he foundations of knowledge of the ancient world – which informs the understanding of the modern world – are biblical in origin."[18]

Reception

TV ratings

The opening episode of the series premiered to very high ratings.[19] The miniseries was watched by 13.1 million total viewers, according to Nielsen. In Canada, the premiere was watched by 1.05 million viewers.[20] The second installment saw a ratings slippage, but still brought in 10.8 million viewers, tops in all television for the 8–10 p.m. time period.[21] Week three's installment, meanwhile, garnered 10.9 million total viewers.

Critical reception

The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported that 14% of critics have given the series a positive review based on 14 reviews, with an average rating of 4.63/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "An earnest but shallow take on the Greatest Story ever Told, The Bible suffers from leaden pacing and mediocre special effects."[22] At Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 45 out of 100 based on 13 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[23]

Allan Yuhas of The Guardian compared the series to reality TV, as well as criticizing the lack of ethnic minorities in major roles.[24]

Distribution

On March 19, 2013, Roma Downey and Mark Burnett offered remarks on the viewership and its anticipated diffusion. He said: "We've realized, on the journey around the country to churches and all over the place, many people cannot afford cable TV. And those people need to see this Bible series. So we're rushing the DVD out April 2nd, also immediately with Spanish subtitles. This is very important. And this is only for America and Canada. Now we're about to start around the world. This will be in every country of the world. More people will see this series than everything we ever made; together, combined. Billions of people will see this series. Billions."

Differences from the Bible

In the introduction to each episode, the message is displayed "This program is an adaptation of Bible stories that changed our world. It endeavors to stay true to the spirit of the Book."[25] Roma Downey stated in an interview, "we had a great team of scholars and theologians helping us, making sure that we told these stories accurately and truthfully".[26] A few of the cases of artistic license that have raised comment include:

Lookalike controversy

There have been claims of a resemblance of the actor in the role of Satan (Mohamen Mehdi Ouazanni) to then-U.S. President Barack Obama. The resemblance was first pointed out notably by Glenn Beck ahead of the episode's premiere.[33] This led the History Channel to announce:

Burnett and Downey responded in a joint statement that "This is utter nonsense" and that the actor, Mehdi Ouazanni, had previously played Satanic characters long before Barack Obama was elected as president. Downey added separately:

In the film Son of God, all scenes with Satan were deleted. Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter, Roma Downey said,

Awards and nominations

The Bible was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Miniseries or Movie, Outstanding Sound Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special, and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Miniseries or a Movie.[34] The 44th GMA Dove Awards gave a tribute to the miniseries in October 2013. In 2014, The Bible won the honor of Home Media Magazine's Best Miniseries or TV Movie on Disc for the year.[35]

Other media

International broadcasts

DVD release

The series became the biggest-selling miniseries on DVD in its first week of release, and biggest on Blu-ray and Digital HD of all time. In its first week on home video, The Bible series sold 525,000 copies. It was the fastest selling television show on DVD since 2008.[37] A Blu-ray version is also available via 20th Century Fox.

Novel

Roma Downey and Mark Burnett have also released a novelization of this miniseries, entitled A Story of God and All of Us: A Novel Based on the Epic TV Miniseries "The Bible." It debuted at No. 27 on the New York Times Best-Seller List.[38]

Soundtrack

The Bible: Music Inspired by the Epic Miniseries
Type:soundtrack

A CD was released on March 12, 2013, with Christian music singers performing songs inspired by the miniseries:[39]

Theatrical release

See main article: Son of God (film). Mark Burnett announced in April 2013 that a three-hour version was being prepared for global theatrical release. He claimed that he has had no distribution arrangements yet, though he could possibly release it himself. In June 2013, Burnett elaborated that the film, which has already been edited, would focus exclusively on the life of Jesus, and would run at two hours and fifteen minutes.[40] In September 2013, it was announced that 20th Century Fox would partner with Burnett on theatrical distribution, currently titled Son of God.[41] [42] In October 2013, it was announced that Son of God would be released on February 28, 2014.[43]

Sequel – A.D.

See main article: A.D. The Bible Continues.

On December 17, 2013, it was announced that there would be a follow-up miniseries in 2015, titled A.D. The Bible Continues, also produced by Burnett, Downey, and Bedser.[7] [44] The limited series began airing on NBC on Easter Sunday, April 5. It airs in twelve weekly one-hour episodes. The story takes place immediately after the events of The Bible, beginning with the Crucifixion and Resurrection, and continues with the first ten chapters of the Book of Acts.[45] [46] On July 3, 2015, NBC canceled A.D. The Bible Continues after one season. However, producers Burnett and Downey plan future biblical productions on their OTT digital channel.[47]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Littleton. Cynthia. Mark Burnett, Roma Downey promo 'Bible' mini to faithful. Variety. February 18, 2013. February 12, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130212093421/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118065870/. live.
  2. News: Mark Burnett to produce 'The Bible'. May 24, 2011. August 28, 2011. Gary. Levin. USA Today. Gannett Company. September 3, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110903180638/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2011/05/mark-burnett-to-produce-the-bible/1. live.
  3. Web site: Mark Burnett producing 'The Bible' miniseries for History Channel. Rick. Porter. May 24, 2011. August 28, 2011. Zap2it. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110828222210/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2011/05/mark-burnett-producing-the-bible-miniseries-for-history-channel.html. August 28, 2011. mdy-all.
  4. Web site: Mark Burnett's 'The Bible' begets record ratings . Entertainment Weekly . March 4, 2013 . Hibberd, James . March 6, 2013 . December 15, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141215055713/http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/03/04/bible-ratings/ . live .
  5. Hayden, Erik. 'The Bible' Earns Three Emmy Nominations, The Hollywood Reporter, July 18, 2013.
  6. Web site: Mark Burnett Prepping 'The Bible' Miniseries For Theatrical Release . PMC . April 22, 2013 . February 18, 2020 . March 3, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140303170000/http://www.deadline.com/2013/04/mark-burnett-announces-the-bible-miniseries-recut-for-theatrical-release/#more-481442 . live .
  7. News: Celebrity Extra. Elavsky. Cindy. King Features. November 17, 2013. February 18, 2014. March 5, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140305092617/http://downriversundaytimes.com/2013/11/17/celebrity-extra-225/. live.
  8. News: Mark Burnett Declines to Make Bible Reality Show. May 24, 2011. August 28, 2011. Margaret. Lyons. New York. 0028-7369. New York City, New York. New York Media, LLC. May 26, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110526012849/http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/05/mark_burnett_declines_to_make.html. live.
  9. News: 'The Bible': History Channel, Mark Burnett Creating CGI 10-Hour Miniseries. May 24, 2011. August 28, 2011. Lynn. Elber. The Huffington Post. August 27, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170827084415/http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/the-bible-history-channel-miniseries_n_2767706. live.
  10. News: Reality-TV Producer Mark Burnett Tackles the Bible. Bill. Carter. May 24, 2011. August 28, 2011. The New York Times. C1. May 27, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110527160247/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/24/arts/television/reality-tv-producer-mark-burnett-tackles-the-bible.html?_r=1. live.
  11. Web site: From Survivor and Touched by an Angel to the Bible. Christianity Today. February 25, 2013. Crosby, Robert. March 12, 2013. March 2, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130302232026/http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013/february-web-only/from-survivor-and-touched-by-angel-to-bible.html. live.
  12. News: Making The Bible a Daunting, Deep Experience . The Huffington Post . February 28, 2013 . Roma . Downey . Mark . Burnett . February 18, 2020 . March 3, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231032/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/roma-downey-and-mark-burnett/making-the-bible-series_b_2782643.html . live .
  13. Web site: Evans. Craig. Dr Craig A. Evans. Homepage. February 28, 2013. March 30, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130330030655/http://www.craigaevans.com/. live.
  14. Web site: Goodacre. Mark. More Bible Series News and Video Clips. NT Blog. February 28, 2013. February 14, 2013. February 19, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130219015639/http://ntweblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/more-bible-series-news-and-video-clips.html. live.
  15. http://www.christianpost.com/news/review-the-bible-this-time-hollywood-got-it-right-90992/ Review: 'The Bible' – This Time, Hollywood Got It Right
  16. News: Focus on the Family CEO Jim Daly consulted on TV mega-hit "The Bible" . Denver Post . March 10, 2013 . Draper, Electa . March 12, 2013 . March 16, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130316054722/http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_22756926/focus-family-ceo-jim-daly-consulted-tv-mega . live .
  17. http://www.outreach.com/the-bible/about.aspx About the Bible - Outreach.com
  18. News: Roma Downey and Mark Burnett: Why Public Schools Should Teach the Bible - WSJ.com . The Wall Street Journal . August 8, 2017 . October 16, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20171016190410/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324338604578326150289837608 . live .
  19. Collins, Scott. 'The Bible,' 'Vikings' premieres tell a ratings epic for History, Los Angeles Times, March 4, 2013.
  20. Web site: Redirecting. March 10, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131224120142/http://tvfeedsmyfamily.blogspot.ca/2013/03/good-start-for-screenies-vikings-and-god.html. December 24, 2013. dead.
  21. Web site: History's 'The Bible' & 'Vikings' Slip In Week 2, Still Tower Over Competition. Deadline Hollywood. March 12, 2013. February 18, 2020. December 24, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131224114053/http://www.deadline.com/2013/03/historys-the-bible-vikings-slip-in-week-2-still-tower-over-competition/. live.
  22. Web site: The Bible: Season 1 . . . January 7, 2020 . August 9, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200809004226/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_bible/s01 . live .
  23. Web site: The Bible - TV Show Reviews . . . January 7, 2020 . November 9, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201109022846/https://www.metacritic.com/tv/the-bible . live .
  24. Web site: History Channel's The Bible series is worse than reality TV. Yuhas. Alan. March 25, 2013. The Guardian. September 10, 2019. December 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181213120957/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/mar/25/history-channel-the-bible-series-is-reality-tv. live.
  25. Web site: Owen. Rob. Miniseries tries to stay true to spirit of the Good Book. Standard-Examiner. April 2, 2013. December 30, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131230233641/http://www.standard.net/stories/2013/03/03/miniseries-tries-stay-true-spirit-good-book. dead.
  26. Web site: Higginbotham. Steve. The Bible: The Mini-Series. March 19, 2013. April 2, 2013. March 24, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130324092332/http://preachinghelp.org/wordpress/the-bible-the-mini-series/comment-page-1. live.
  27. Web site: The Bible: first episode, first impressions. March 8, 2013. April 4, 2013. April 3, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130403154424/http://www.patheos.com/blogs/filmchat/2013/03/the-bible-first-episode-first-impressions.html. live.
  28. Web site: Garvin. Glenn. Reviews of 'The Bible,' 'Red Widow' and 'Vikings'. Miami Herald. April 4, 2013. May 10, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130510153222/http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/03/03/3261342_p2/reviews-of-the-bible-red-widow.html. live.
  29. Web site: Dawn. Randee. One scholar takes issue with 'The Bible': 5 things the series got wrong. April 4, 2013. November 7, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171107013350/http://theclicker.today.com/_news/2013/03/29/17492225-one-scholar-takes-issue-with-the-bible-5-things-the-series-got-wrong?lite. dead.
  30. Web site: Jonathan Merritt. Jonathan. Inaccuracies in The Bible . . . the miniseries, not the book. April 2, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130521164307/http://jonathanmerritt.religionnews.com/2013/03/25/10-inaccuracies-in-the-bible-the-miniseries-not-the-book/. May 21, 2013. dead.
  31. Web site: Ross. Hugh. Reasons To Believe: Fulfilled Prophecy. April 3, 2013. March 28, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130328195339/http://www.reasons.org/articles/articles/fulfilled-prophecy-evidence-for-the-reliability-of-the-bible. live.
  32. Web site: John 11 - The Death of Lazarus. February 5, 2015. February 6, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150206050749/https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John11. live.
  33. Web site: Anyone else think the Devil in #TheBible Sunday on HIstory Channel looks exactly like That Guy?. @glennbeck. Twitter. April 16, 2013. October 30, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131030234922/https://twitter.com/glennbeck/status/313120671297306624. live.
  34. Web site: Emmy nominations 2013: "House of Cards" makes history, "American Horror Story" leads. December 20, 2013. July 18, 2013. CBS. July 22, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130722132312/http://www.emmys.com/sites/emmys.com/files/2013-noms-Press-Release.pdf. live.
  35. Web site: 'Breaking Bad,' 'Doctor Who,' 'Game of Thrones' Big Winners of 'HM' Awards - Home Media Magazine. April 26, 2014. May 1, 2014. May 2, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140502040621/http://homemediamagazine.com/award-winners-2014. live.
  36. http://www.channel5.com/shows/the–bible{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  37. TV News: On Set Interviews and TV Show Listings – EW.com. Entertainment Weekly.
  38. Web site: 'The Bible' Miniseries Novel Hits National Best-Seller Lists . Charisma News . March 31, 2013 . April 4, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130404102540/http://www.charismanews.com/culture/38800-the-bible-miniseries-novel-becomes-national-best-seller . live .
  39. Web site: CD. Jesus Freak Hideout. November 3, 2013. October 13, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131013175103/http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/TheBibleMusicInspiredByTheEpicMiniSeries.asp. live.
  40. Web site: Produced By Conference: Mark Burnett On 'Bible' Follow Up, Feature Version Of History Series Finished Editing . Patten . Dominic . June 9, 2013 . April 13, 2017 . Deadline . June 19, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140619063537/http://www.deadline.com/2013/06/produced-by-conference-mark-burnett-planning-bible-follow-up-feature-version-of-history-series-finished-editing/ . live .
  41. Web site: Fox Lands 'Bible' Feature Film Cut From Mark Burnett-Roma Downey Miniseries . September 12, 2013 . April 13, 2017 . Deadline . March 10, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140310104259/http://www.deadline.com/2013/09/fox-lands-bible-feature-film-cut-from-mark-burnett-roma-downey-miniseries/ . live .
  42. News: 'The Bible' Producers Resurrect Jesus for Expanded 'Son of God' Film (EXCLUSIVE) . Variety . Littleton . Cynthia . September 12, 2013 . April 13, 2017 . January 5, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180105074741/https://variety.com/2013/film/news/fox-to-distribute-son-of-god-feature-from-bible-pair-1200608999/ . live .
  43. Web site: Mark Burnett's 'The Bible' Feature Film Gets February 2014 Release Date . October 15, 2013 . April 13, 2017 . Deadline . April 14, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170414082224/http://deadline.com/2013/10/son-of-god-bible-movie-release-date-february-28-2014-612325/ . live .
  44. Web site: NBC Greenlights 12-Hour Miniseries 'A.D.'. https://web.archive.org/web/20170417155439/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/network-press-releases/nbc-greenlights-12-hour-miniseries-a-d/. dead. April 17, 2017. December 17, 2013.
  45. Web site: Dent Brant. Ginny. 'A.D.: The Bible Continues' slated for primetime. The Biblical Recorder. April 3, 2015. April 6, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150406165839/https://www.brnow.org/News/March-2015/A-D-The-Bible-Continues-slated-for-primetime. live.
  46. Web site: About A.D. The Bible Continues. Lightworkers Media. April 3, 2015. April 6, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150406131926/http://www.shareadtheseries.com/#/about. live.
  47. Web site: NBC Cancels 'A.D.' As Producers Plan Digital Revival For Biblical Drama. Cynthia. Littleton. July 3, 2015. December 7, 2017. December 26, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171226131210/https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/a-d-the-bible-continues-nbc-cancels-mark-burnett-roma-downey-1201533794/. live.