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Bible and Film
An International and Intercultural Exploration
Melody D. Knowles (Author), Ian N. Mills (With)
9781394350315, Wiley
Paperback / softback, published 2 April 2026
320 pages
22.6 x 15.2 x 2.3 cm, 0.431 kg
Illuminates Global Interpretations of Biblical Narratives Through Cinematic Storytelling and Critical Analysis In a media landscape increasingly shaped by images, biblical narratives are now encountered more often through film than through text. Nevertheless, the interpretive frameworks needed to engage these portrayals critically are seldom developed with the same care as traditional textual analysis. In addition, discussions of Bible films largely engage American productions only. Bible and Film: An International and Intercultural Exploration situates cinematic adaptations of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament within a global conversation. Rather than centering only familiar American productions, the book draws together films from a wide range of cultural and historical contexts to reveal how particular settings, artistic traditions, and social assumptions shape the way biblical stories are visualized and understood. Bible and Film offers a structured and accessible approach to film analysis designed for both classroom and independent study. Each chapter places multiple cinematic treatments of a single biblical narrative into dialogue, enabling comparative interpretation grounded in clearly defined analytical issues introduced at the outset. Technical elements of film form, such as sound, editing, and narrative framing are integrated into the discussion and reinforced by an accompanying glossary, equipping readers with terminology and tools to articulate their insights. Designed to strengthen readers' capacity to interpret biblical texts and films alike, Bible and Film: Emphasizing collaborative, dialogical approaches to film interpretation and discussion, Bible and Film: An International and Intercultural Exploration is ideal forupper-level undergraduates, seminary students, and graduate learners in theology, religious studies, and film studies. 'Bible and Film is a most helpful resource for those who want to examine the interplay between film and the biblical text. From La Genese to The Ten Commandments to Jesus of Montreal, Melody Knowles invites readers to consider the cultures and contexts of filmmakers and their audiences as they naviagte the cultures and contexts of the biblical world. The result is an engaging and critical review of films and the stories they tell. Filled with helpful guides and summaries, Bible and Film is informative and insightful, and encourages us to see through new lenses'
–Judy Fentress-Williams, Ph.D, Dodge Professor of Biblical Interpretation, Virginia Theological Seminary
Acknowledgments viii Chapter 1: Screening Biblical Films in an International and Intercultural Context 1 Interculturality and the Bible 5 Interpreting the Tower of Babel Story as a Case Study in Cultural Difference 7 The Bible on Films from Around the Globe 10 Engaging Biblical Texts on Film 15 Textual Accuracy and Fidelity Claims 19 Basic Tips for Screening Films from Different Contexts 24 Using this Book 26 Chapter 2: Genesis Films and Their Audiences: Cultural Difference and Cultural Contexts 30 Dornford- May’s South African Context and Musical Theater for the Twenty- First Century 34 The Planet, Income Disparity, and Cultural Diversity in Unogumbe – Noye’s Fludde 36 Musical Theater for the People in Unogumbe – Noye’s Fludde 39 Aronofsky’s American Context and American God 42 Creation Care in Noah 44 Special Effects in Noah 49 Race in Noah 54 Sissoko’s Malian Context and International Audiences 57 African Film Technique in La Genèse 58 Tribal Warfare in La Genèse 62 Stories from Genesis for the World in La Genèse 66 Discussion Questions 68 Chapter 3: Exodus Epics: Miracles and Modifications in an American Context 69 Miracles and Modifications in The Ten Commandments 75 Seeing/Not Seeing God’s Miracles in The Ten Commandments 75 Adapting the Biblical Text in The Ten Commandments 79 Miracles and Modifications in The Prince of Egypt 84 Seeing/Not Seeing God’s Miracles in The Prince of Egypt 86 Adapting the Biblical Text in The Prince of Egypt 88 Miracles and Modifications in Exodus: Gods and Kings 96 Seeing/Not Seeing God’s Miracles in Exodus: Gods and Kings 97 Adapting the Biblical Text in Exodus: Gods and Kings 101 Discussion Questions 106 Chapter 4: David Films and Cultural Stereotypes: Seeing Ancient Women and Men 108 Men and Women in David and Bathsheba 114 Seeing Men and Seeing Women in David and Bathsheba 116 Seeing Race in David and Bathsheba 122 Men and Women in King David 125 Seeing Men and Seeing Women in King David 125 Seeing Masculinity in King David 130 Men and Women in Rei Davi – O Filme 136 Seeing Men and Seeing Women in Rei Davi – O Filme 139 Seeing Femininity in Rei Davi – O Filme 143 Discussion Questions 148 Chapter 5: Jesus and Politics in Gospel Films: Cultural Politics and the Presentation of Jesus 149 Pasolini’s Political Jesus in Il Vangelo secondo Matteo 151 The Politics of Tradition in Il Vangelo secondo Matteo 152 The Politics of Divinity in Il Vangelo secondo Matteo 159 Bhimsingh’s Political Jesus in Karunamayudu 166 The Politics of Vision in Karunamayudu 170 The Politics of Compassion and Suffering in Karunamayudu 176 Arcand’s Political Jesus in Jésus de Montréal 179 The Politics of Theater in Jésus de Montréal 180 The Politics of Religion in Jésus de Montréal 184 Discussion Questions 189 Chapter 6: Why Kill Jesus? The Politics of Crucifixion in Musicals and Comedy 191 A Countercultural Jesus in Godspell: A Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew 196 The Joyful Teacher of Godspell: A Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew 197 Rome and the Jews in Godspell: A Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew 199 An Historical Jesus in Godspell: A Musical Based on the Gospel According to St. Matthew? 203 A Failed Revolutionary Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar 205 The Man of Sorrows in Jesus Christ Superstar 206 Rome and the Jews in Jesus Christ Superstar 207 An Historical Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar? 212 A Comic Mistake in Monty Python’s Life of Brian 215 The Hapless “Jesus” of Monty Python’s Life of Brian 215 Rome and the Jews in Monty Python’s Life of Brian 216 An Historical Jesus in Monty Python’s Life of Brian? 221 Discussion Questions 222 Chapter 7: Portraying the Past in Twenty- First Century Jesus Films: Truth, Trust, and Transformation 223 Gibson’s Salvific Vision in The Passion of the Christ 226 Gibson’s Suffering Jesus in The Passion of the Christ 227 Seeing the Suffering Jesus in The Passion of the Christ 233 Truth, Power, and Media in Dornford- May’s Son of Man 237 Truth and Power in “High Trust” Media in Son of Man 239 Truth and Power in “Low Trust” Media in Son of Man 243 Hybrid Presentations in Rau’s Das neue Evangelium 251 Das neue Evangelium as a Contemporary Jesus Film 253 Das neue Evangelium as a Documentary Promoting Political Change 256 Discussion Questions 262 Bibliography 264 Filmography 288 Glossary and Index 293
Subject Areas: Religion & beliefs [HR]
