Testament: L'histoire de Moïse

I came with reservations because of other comments, but apparently they didn't watch it until the end, because I did in fact find it very entertaining, insightful, touching and also very realistic.

I like how they show Moses for what he really was - a shy, reserved and troubled individual. They don't hide the fact that he lived most of his life as a fugitive. They also show accounts of his interactions with various local people from polytheistic tribes and other faiths, which most other shows about topics such as the bible omit. Reality is much more diverse and complex than just the mythical story, and they honor this fact historically.

If this would have been a show trying to "convert" you (Judaism is against conversion anyway), they would have painted Moses in a much better light and also focused only on the "mono" theistic part of that history, but they actually do the opposite.

What I'm trying to say is that this show is not religious in any way, it's pretty much objective and shows that everyone has good and bad sides, such as fitting real life. It even shows GOD as a multifaceted entity such as he is in the Hebrew bible and his complex relationship with Moses, and tackle grand philosophical questions such as "Why did god create evil in the first place?".

So in essence, they do bring this biblical story to life and the main actors in my point of you have very realistic relationships among themselves.

The only fault I have to say is that yes, it is a bit "cliche", but I think only because it's a story we are all familiar with. They did succeed in bringing in a fresh historical perspective. Even though it's in English, and obviously adapted to a modern crowd so that not every single detail is precisely accurate or sometimes dramatized, I applaud the fact that they made it feel so raw and intimate. Overall, I recommend.

Found this series highly realistic, informative and thoughtful, explaining in detail the story of Moses and adding context for that time in history. Almost like an "Inside the Episode." It really helped add meaning to some of the symbolism of the 10 plagues of Egypt, and how they were meant to refute the Egyptian gods to establish the supremecy of the Hebrew God. While some didn't care for it, I enjoyed the commentary from the various religious and historical scholars, and exploring their interpretations from the Christian, Jewish, Muslim and feminist perspectives. They key takeaway for me is that Moses represented multiple peoples and beliefs, but his success was grounded in being the driving force in bringing people together and establishing a moral code that still exists to this day. A bit disappointed that it didn't delve into the Ark of the Covenant, as that is also a topic of interest that would have been great to get perspective on and is still a mystery today. Well worth the time IMHO.

Testament: The Story of Moses aspires to be a captivating blend of historical drama and religious narrative. However, it falters on both fronts. The visuals fail to impress, appearing more like a mediocre TV movie than a high-budget miniseries. Moreover, the show's portrayal of the biblical tale strays from accuracy in ways that may frustrate viewers seeking a faithful adaptation.

But the most glaring misstep lies in Testament's attempt to reinterpret the classic story through a contemporary social justice lens. This forced approach feels entirely out of place within the ancient Egyptian setting. Instead of enriching the narrative, it justructs the story's emotional impact and undermines its timeless themes.

If you're looking for a visually stunning and faithful portrayal of the Moses story, Testament: The Story of Moses is a disappointment. It might hold some appeal for those seeking a heavily dramatized reimagining with a modern twist, but even for that audience, the execution falls short.

I'm agnostic, and found this series to be a more grounded and realistic retelling of the Exodus than grandiose depictions like DeMille's Ten Commandments or The Bible series on History Channel. I might not entirely agree with the historicity of the story, but I liked how much humanity they gave the characters.

At the end of the day, Moses was just a guy who was trying to look after his family. He didn't ask to be pulled into God's big plan or be constantly visited upon by this annoyingly mysterious ball of light that keeps appearing on his wall.

The academics and religious figures were knowledgeable and I'm glad someone from each major Abrahamic religion was interviewed.

I think it's stupid to give series like these the label of "documentary" though, and it's obvious that this show was just Netflix's attempt at bringing in a more right wing audience.

So whether you like this or not really depends on why you are watching. Are you watching just to be entertained or are you watching To learn something about the Bible? If you were watching for entertainment then I think most people will be entertained by this because it's a story that we all are familiar with. If you are someone who has studied the story, you may be slightly frustrated in certain parts. It's not that it's bad by any means but I find that one of the experts that speak on the subject, An older lady, really tries to romanticize the whole story and seems to add a lot of her own details. If you were one that studies the Bible, you would know that a lot of these details aren't even in the story, but she is adding them in which can be a little bit frustrating and can cause inaccuracies in the storytelling. Generally, the story is correct, but like most Netflix shows, they take artistic liberty. I really wish this lady would just speak about the scriptures the way they were written rather than give her interpretation. It's all right there.

With that said, I was entertained. The story and the show in itself is decent and I think it's worth a watch.