POP CULTURE FROM A SPIRITUAL POINT OF VIEW
TELEVISION

THIS PAGE CREATED ON MAY 26, 1999
Last Update on April 23, 2003

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JUNE 2000 UPDATE
AN ALL-STAR CAST -- HEADED BY MARTIN LANDAU AND JACQUELINE BISSET -- BRINGS THE BIBLE?S MOST POPULAR STORIES TO LIFE IN NBC MINISERIES ?IN THE BEGINNING?

Billy Campbell, Diana Rigg, David Warner, Eddie Cibrian, Christopher Lee And Art Malik Also Star In Four-Hour Epic Now Filming in Morocco Production has begun in Morocco on NBC?s "In the Beginning," a four-hour miniseries starring Oscar winner Martin Landau ("Ed Wood," "Crimes and Misdemeanors") and Emmy nominee Jacqueline Bisset ("Joan of Arc," "Jesus").

"In the Beginning" will dramatize some of the most popular stories of the Bible, from the story of Creation to the Ten Commandments. The film, which will also be filming in Budapest, Hungary, is tentatively slated to air on NBC in November, 2000. Golden Globe nominee Billy Campbell ("Once and Again," "The Rocketeer") and Emmy Award winners Diana Rigg ("Rebecca," "Samson and Delilah") and David Warner ("Masada," "Titanic") also star, along with Eddie Cibrian ("Third Watch," "Sunset Beach"), Christopher Lee ("The Odyssey," "Ivanhoe") and Art Malik ("Cleopatra," "A Kid in King Arthur?s Court"). "In the Beginning" will compellingly weave together best-loved stories from the largest selling book of all time, the Bible. Focusing on the books of Genesis and Exodus, the movie begins with the story of Creation and ends with Moses delivering the Ten Commandments. It spans the biblical time when God?s word is passed verbally from one generation to the next, from Abraham (Martin Landau) to Isaac through Jacob to Joseph (Eddie Cibrian) and Moses (Billy Campbell). Favorite Bible tales, including Adam and Eve, Joseph and his coat of many colors, and Moses? struggle to free his people from Egyptian rule ? including his miraculous parting of the Red Sea -- will be dramatized. Jacqueline Bisset stars as Abraham?s wife, Sarah; Diana Rigg plays Isaac?s wife, Rebeccah; and David Warner plays Abraham?s chief servant, Eliezer. Christopher Lee and Art Malik play Egyptian Pharaohs. David V. Picker ("The Crucible," "The Saint of Fort Washington") is the executive producer, Paul Lowin ("Animal Farm") is the producer and Kevin Connor ("Mary, Mother of Jesus") directs from a script by John Goldsmith ("Mary, Mother of Jesus," "David Copperfield"). The miniseries is produced by NGP Holding, Inc.

MAY 1999:
NBC IS PLANNING ITS MOST EXPENSIVE TELEVISION SERIES YET.
A 12 HOUR EPIC CALLED "THE BIBLE"

In what reportedly could be the most expensive miniseries ever launched for broadcast TV, NBC Studios and Hallmark Entertainment ("The Odyssey") are planning a massive 12-hour epic called "The Bible," with Richard Attenborough executive producing.   Television director Robert Halmi is one busy guy. He'll be involved in the 12-hour "The Bible," which Richard Attenborough will produce. He's expected to direct at least one and perhaps also star in one story.

BIBLE SERIES ISN'T NOAH
Subject: The Bible BibleSeriesNBC
Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2000
From: Aiwkid

So far I've heard of some bad expectations for the Bible film airing on NBC. Too many people are judging it because of that Noah's Ark trash but you must realize that not every NBC movie is directed and produced by the same people. Jesus of Nazareth is one of the greatest Jesus films ever made and guess where it's from? That's right, NBC. I'm planning on watching The Bible, regardless of how the horrible Noah's Ark came out (yes, I too had to turn off the tv after only watching Noah's Ark for only a half hour, I couldn't stand it).

ABOUT THE BIBLE SERIES
September 6, 1999.I'm looking forward to this new Bible movie. I hope they take time to study  the bible first. I too started watching Noah's Ark but I had to stop  because there was so much inaccuracy in it that it made it very  uncomfortable to watch. They had people such as Lot living at the same time  of Noah. Hello! Obviously someone thought that Noah's story needed some  more excitement. I guess the end of all civilization wasn't enough.
PS I found your site by reading Sept's Christianity Online Magazine.
Keep up the good work.
Mercyshine

HAPPY ABOUT BIBLE SERIES, HOWEVER...
August 20, 1999.  20, 1999. About the NBC Bible Series. I am happy to hear that NBC is considering such an endeavor; however, I do hope that this production is more accurate than their attempt at the tale of Noah's Ark. Despite the grand cinematic effects and award-winning cast, the movie presented a very twisted portrayal of Noah and his family. I have discussed the film with many fellow believers, and they, too, share my feelings. In a world where so much liberal and ungodly thinking has overtaken our culture, we need to see to it that the songs, stories, and movies that are labeled as 'biblical' bring forth the honest truths that are written in God's Word.
It is possible, despite what some in today's Hollywood might think, to deliver a motion picture that is historically and biblically sound, with the added highlights of notable actors, colorful effects, and majestic musical composition. Case in point: The Prince of Egypt. Though, from what I have gleaned, it was a story that was amassed from ancient biblical texts (Exodus) and other historical writings, the movie was factual, exciting, and heart-warming. It can be done, and I hope and pray the good people of NBC realize that they, too, can attempt such a feat.
-Ross French

FROM TED KLIEN:
     May 26, 1999. Btw, the proposed NBC "Bible" miniseries reminds me- do you recall an NBC series from the late 70's or early 80's-
"Greatest Stories of the Bible" or something like that? AWFUL! Not that they were inaccurate but they were so low in production values, scripting, acting, etc.
     On the other hand, an excellent syndicated series of individual stories was produced by Paulist Productions thru the 1960's into the late 1970's- INSIGHT. Great acting, intense moving scripts and very minimal budgets. I think they recently made some of their most
popular episodes available on video.