Jeremias

Very good movie powerful and accurate. Patrick Dempsey is one of my favorite actors whoever wrote the script did their homework.

What a gem. This movie really tells how brutal Jeremiah's task was against the spiritual and political reality of a nation that had fallen into apostasy. It is a hard thing to stand for truth under such adversity, and only those totally sold out to the Lord and motivated by His love will gain the strength to do so.

A modern-day apostate nation would do well indeed to give this film's message careful attention. There is a very real price to be paid for casting aside the proved and true ways of the Lord, as we have been in a unholy rush to do.

I didn't even know this film existed until now. Excellent job indeed. Highly recommended.

Kingdom of Judah, the 600s B.C. The Holy City of Jerusalem sees a great celebration - noble Jewish king Josiah (Hicham Ibrahimi) has found the law of Moses after 100 years of its absence. Moreover, King Solomon's Temple has been beautifully restored. A lot of pious Jews take part in the celebrations, including Chelkia (Michael Cronin) with his young son. Who could predict that this little boy would once play a decisive role in the history of Israel?

Time goes by and we are 16 years later when Israel occurs not to have answered to God's signs and the yoke of Babylonian slavery is close... King Nebuchadnezzar II (Klaus Maria Brandauer) is planning to conquer the kingdom. There is, however, a prophet: now an adult Jeremiah (Patrick Dempsey), son of Chelkia, who remembers the glory of Judah from his childhood. It is him who has been given the authority to speak by God himself...Will the new king and Israelites listen to the words of the prophet or will Jeremiah's "pleas fall on deaf ears and hardened hearts"?

Harry Winer's film is one of the newest biblical movies. However, it is one of the few biblical epics which not only focuses on history alone but contains a universal content. The story of the prophet who lived more than 2500 years ago is a background. What is in the center of attention is a story of MAN in general, his struggles, fears, weaknesses and doubts. Jeremiah lives rather a peaceful life before God calls him. He is in love with a young innocent girl, Judith (Leonor Varela) and plans to marry her. His world seems to be calm at first but day by day he gets worried about the terrible injustice and wickedness around him. God's light works in his heart and... finally, he speaks up when the time is come. The message does not reveal the spirit of the world but the spirit of God...no wonder Jeremiah does not meet understanding from the people. The brutal end of Jerusalem is a consequence of the people's deeds since wickedness leads to war and destruction. Although the content seems easy, there is a wonderful psychological insight into Jeremiah's spiritual life: "Lord, not me" he says, "I am too weak for this burden". Later, however, he does not give up even under the burden of persecutions and blind accusations calling him a "false prophet" and a "blasphemer". Consider, for instance, the moment he speaks to the king Sedecia (Vincent Regan) and pleads him to turn to God.

Besides that aspect, JEREMIAH is also a very well made work as a film. Some of biblical epics lack action and authenticity. That, however, cannot be said about Harry Winer's film where everything appears to be realistic, from the locations through costumes, sets to people participating. The cast are selected very well, some of them are famous actors but this does not disturb in anything. Klaus Maria Brandauer does a wonderful job as the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II, a king about whom we find pretty much in the Bible. I heard some voices saying that he looks too European to play a Babylonian. Yes, partly true, but see him in this role and you will surely consider him the best choice after first viewing. Wonderful actor who does a perfect job! Patrick Dempsey is good in the main role expressing Jeremiah's gentleness combined with strong faith and growing courage. A mention must also be made of Oliver Reed who shines in the role of obstinate general Safan. This was one of his last roles, perhaps some people will say that he may be admired in a number of other movies, including his last unforgettable part in GLADIATOR. Yet, I believe that his Safan character is really worth attention and surely the one not to be skipped.

JEREMIAH is, besides the biblical story, a story of unfulfilled love. I found the Jeremiah-Judith plot pretty moving and particularly universal. Judith is the representation of his dreams, his childlike desires of happiness, his pure fantasies. She raises excitement in him but it is all very childlike, chasten at first - these are no lusts and desires but a pure mutual joy. It's their true feeling. That is also something that differs the couple from the rest. You will cry at the moment of her death, it is so intensely touching.

If someone asked me if there are any flaws in the film, I would have one complaint to JEREMIAH. It is a bit too short and contains much action in very brief moments. While viewing the film for the first time, I got lost when the king Josiah is dead, then when Jehoiakim (Andrea Occhipinti) comes (the one who symbolically burned the scroll), dies and, finally, Sedecia (Vincent Regan) is crowned as the king of Judah. It would be better if the film lasted for 120 minutes and showed all this clearly since these are crucial facts that lead directly to the tragic events entailed at the end.

If you like the biblical movies and epic productions, JEREMIAH is a film for you. Don't be afraid that it is preachy. It is the Bible on screen in the purest sense of this meaning! It's a history and a delicate invitation to reflect on some aspects of the world and life in this world. The entire movie lifts audiences to a higher level and is educational. 9/10!

It was time for him to speak,

Yet, his pleas really fell on deaf ears and hardened hearts,

Years passed by and the Temple of the Lord was rebuilt at last,

This time, however, Jeremiah's greatest dream finally came true:

The Temple was also rebuilt in human hearts...

Captures the purity and devotion that I feel in the Scriptures and with God's people.

Dempsey and others do a really great job in this show. It was nice to have someone with decent acting talent attempting to present the central player.

The show shows the levels of intensity that in context of grace resulted in the written Scriptures of Jeremiah the book.

It's what I and friends have felt when I felt that God was speaking to me and that it wasn't going to be easy to share it. The moment and the sense of obedience and fear of the Lord that brings life was captured in the show.

Generally would like to see more shows like this. Although there are some cheesy elements indicative of a lower budget.

I liked this movie a great deal and wish more from the series would get released on DVD. Patrick Dempsey is quite good as Jeremiah and the films message regarding the temple (stated well as the film draws to a close) makes the whole effort worthwhile. Libraries should purchase this film for their collections and everyone else...open up your Bible and follow along...its a nice visual beginning to the text.

No potters wheel...but still worth a rental!