The Parables Retold

Yes, I realize that they were taking the New Testament and placing the actions in some utopian time.

I can't even figure out what was the purpose for making this movie.

It basically is showing how Luke was gathering all his information for his gospel.

Luke's role could have been more of the center and stronger character, for instance, acting more like an inquisitive reporter trying to pull a good story together.

It seemed rather choppy, with the scenes jumping around quite a bit. I know that to pull it together so that it would flow smoothly would require adding much content that is not within the Bible, I'm sure that most people viewing this video are regular readers of the Bible.

The director was trying very hard to include interesting moments, but for me it did not flow very smoothly. I was constantly thinking "where are they going with this?".

For me, the best part was that it finally ended.

Sorry about that, but I feel I wasted two hours.

Was it entertaining? No!

Was it informative? No!

Did it I make ny faith stronger? No!

Did I feel that it showed how the apostles would have felt and acted in today's world? I just couldn't grab that concept either.

This is well written, well acted, and well directed - not to be unfair, but all that came as a surprise after I'd read that it was made with $50k.

Overall it's a very talented retelling of biblical parables in a modern setting, which should appeal to broad audiences. The tone is somewhat dark and heavy, but probably appropriate when you consider the persecution of the early church. The dialogue is solid and there's enough action to keep you watching from one parable to the next.

I'm looking forward to seeing what they can do with a bigger budget and the time to develop the characters further in a series format.

The casting tells you right away that the production team want to show you certain race is all good and others are either not so or a mix-bag at best. There is only one plot-line. The pace is slow. The acting is not bad but is not compelling. Cinematography is average. But I give it credit for trying to relate the ancient stories to modern viewers by putting it in a modern settings. In my opinions it is not so simple because people act in the social and cultural context of the time, it is going to be off in some way when you try to inject presentism to historical events such as "Hamilton" did.

We enjoyed the retellings of some of Jesus' parables. They were just different enough to keep us guessing, but they conveyed the points well. And it was interesting to see a modernized idea of the early church.

There were two scenes that might be too intense for children - one of a dead woman and another with a man who is badly beaten. Parents may want to watch before showing it to their kids.

The acting was well done. The story was creative. I would be interested in checking out the Testament series that is supposed to be coming out soon.

It's really encouraging to see people finding new ways for telling stories about Jesus through film.

We are also impressed with the fact that this movie was created on such a low budget. Looking forward to more work from this team. Keep up the good work!

From the creators of The Chosen comes Testament: The Parables Retold, and honestly, this one was a pleasant surprise. Unlike the often controversial inaccuracies in The Chosen, which left me unimpressed, this film brings something fresh and creative to the table.

The story follows the Disciples on the run after Jesus' ascension, hiding from Jewish authorities who are out to kill them. What sets this movie apart is its bold choice to reimagine the narrative in a modern-day setting. Think skyscrapers, soldiers with full gear, walkie-talkies, and industrial warehouses. It's a unique take that brings a new perspective to familiar stories.

The real standout for me, though, was how they wove in Jesus' parables. They were reconstructed beautifully, staying true to their core messages while fitting seamlessly into the modern backdrop. The writing in those scenes was top-tier, making the parables the highlight of the film.

As for the acting, it was decent-nothing extraordinary, but it got the job done. The cinematography wasn't great, but that's expected for a low-budget production. Still, the potential here is undeniable. With the right funding, this concept could truly shine. If I had the resources, I'd definitely back a bigger-budget remake of this.

In short, while it's not without its flaws, Testament: The Parables Retold is a creative and thoughtful reimagining of biblical stories, and it's worth checking out.