San Paolo

I know this movie has a strong fictional basis, however, I have so enjoyed the movie and have watched it many, many times since I purchased it over 2 years ago. I thought the director Roger Young did a beautiful job and I loved the guy who played King Herod, it was truly an excellent cast, especially the actors who played Peter and Paul. I didn't give it a 10 because it wasn't as Biblically based as it should have been. Again, I have watched this movie many times and would recommend it to anyone, it is done so beautifully!!! Even though there are fictional characters that take up a considerable amount of the movie, the basis of this movie is very grounded in the The New Testament, again this is one of my favorite movies!!!

It was nice to see Captain Harris from the Police Academy Series in a dramatic role for a change. Usually being the butt end of the joke, Bailey gets the opportunity to show his dramatic side in a supporting role as one of the early Christians. Bailey does a terrific and believable job as Paul's closest friend. Still, although the movie has its moments, the overall story has several "holes" and unanswered questions. We never get to see Paul (Saul) growing up under Roman law and we never get to see Paul in Rome. The movie ends before we get to see his trial before Rome's leaders. At times, the movie deals with the friendship between Paul and the Jewish Priest (Reuben). The movie introduces many interesting characters that disappear when you wish there was more. Paul's influence on the early church was the story most wanted to see. While some of his teachings was showcased, the rest of his story was not covered. A nice cast of actors and a decent story makes the movie Paul a pleasant surprise.

Many writers of the modern Biblical movies take many liberties. In this one it portrayed the Apostles as as very flawed, angry, jealous but the women as pillars of compassion and common sense. In this one I simply became tired of Dinah's role--especially when the Bible does not portray this. Yes I know that incidences have to be written in for drama or effect but I'm not comfortable with attempts to be politically correct by changing the "character" of the characters. I recall a movie of Jesus which had his mother Mary instructing Jesus to be baptized by John the Baptist. I'm sorry but leave PC for the sitcoms and R rated movies.

This movie didn't shy away from trying to be reasonable, what I mean is that it shows how people likely would've responded in the wake of Christ's death on the cross, it doesn't at any point get overly preachy...what I mean in simple terms...you don't get the sense in ANY WAY that Ray Comfort or Kirk Cameron were involved in it. The "bad guys" mocked Jesus in more of a 2nd grader way, and it did a decent job to show Paul as Saul. It felt more like a historical movie more than a religious movie, hope that makes sense.

The acting was really good, minus Dinah. But it wasn't the actress fault, it was her character was like a chihuahua.

The movie was fairly long, but I could've gone for it being an extra 30 or so minutes even! I was very intrigued by everyone in it.

Before I end, I do need to say that yes, I'm aware it wasn't totally biblically accurate in EVERY sense, but it's a MOVIE. If you want a word for word bible retelling, there are plenty out there for you.

I totally think it was not the best movie to see for Saint Paul's life. But there is one reason to watch it over and over again. And the reason is Thomas Lockyer- Reuben if you like. Yes, I agree that he is a fictional character just like Dinah. But it's a very well performed one too. Thomas looks amazing and magnetic in this film, charming but psycho at the same time.Yes, his girlfriend is the best looking one in the whole bible series, but he deserved that! They are both fake characters but artistically speaking, they make the movie more interesting. And that's the reason there is the sex scene after the wedding. I agree it's not very biblical but useful to make more complete their characters and the situation more realistic. There are other mistakes too like Barnabas baptizing Saul by his own command or Saul being also interested in Dinah. Another well performed role was Barnaba's, who was a little funny too, again to make the movie more interested.I recommend the movie only if you are interested in performances(-and let's face it- Thomas Lockyer's will indemnify you)