Of Kings and Prophets

David is at least a decade too old when the film begins. Saul is not "head and shoulders above" the men around him, as the Bible says. And Goliath is WAYY TOO SMALL. I understand that the producers are treating the Bible as a typical action tale, but to get the facts of the matters wrong is to miss the point of the telling. Further, the liberties taken with even the first episode are so extreme that they reveal that the producers and or directors have no real knowledge of the Scriptures and no reverence for them. They treat the entire history as if it is a compilation of scraps from a high school year book. For example; when Samuel (BTW the only Israeli in the main cast) calls Saul out for not killing the King of the Amalekites, he doesn't even mention the fact that the livestock of the Amalekites was kept alive too. Further, he doesn't mention that the entire people and property - stock, dogs and all - were to be an Oblation to the Lord. It may end up being good cinema, but change the names to protect the guilty - by which I obviously mean the men who get the money from this bilge.

I've watched the first episode and I feel that ABC has recreated the time period accurately, if not the exact historical events. The series is based on the book of Samuel, written hundreds of years ago. As a historian I accept the Bible as both a book of faith and a book of history. Written history is not always as accurate as we would like it to be. As a military historian who has studied this period of time for nearly 40 years I can say that the series recreates the historical background fairly accurately. I watched the show more to see that than anything else. The weapons, warfare, and results are accurate. Warfare in the period was a brutal, gruesome affair, pitting warrior against warrior in a one on one contest. When a warrior won, he searched for someone else to fight. When he tired, he rested, then when back to the battle. Wounds were gruesome and often fatal. In attacks on towns and cities, whole populations were often slaughtered. When we think of Bible characters we expect them to be more pure of heart. The series shows a different side, one many people didn't expect.

In contrast to one review, the costumes are pretty accurate. I paint military figures as a hobby, so I know. I suggest the reviewer pick up a book on uniforms of the period from Osprey publishing as proof. The sets are accurate as well. The episode was less the biblical depiction people expect and more like the movie Braveheart (there are inaccuracies in that one as well but the historical backdrop is accurate).

I thought the acting was appropriate for the story, and I don't mind the accents. If the show used historical language as Gibson's movie about Jesus did, then we would have to have subtitles. I don't think people want to watch a T.V. show with subtitles through the entire series.

I think the level of violence is a little high, especially for children, but it is not on the level of the TV series Rome or Spartacus. I do not recommend this for children below high school level.

So Saul is a viking now? I'm starting to think there's no coincidence in the Europe invasion in Hollywood. In the last couple of years every attempt of making a movie based on historical African/ middle eastern culture and religion, I have to not only endure Hollywood's casting of European actors, but their accents as well. Not even attempting to sound authentic. Rather it be Egyptian, Hebrew Israelite, etc... It's like Denzel Washington being cast as Julius Caesar and spoke with American dialect and accent. It would be a distraction to all that watched. The same with these. It's a distraction. It's too much historical and cultural information on the web and many people seeing it for what it is. Cultural and historical awareness is being excepted and Hollywood is not keeping up. Like Exodust: Gods of and Kings and Gods of Egypt, Hollywood will soon come to an understanding that not getting the return on the millions invested in these films and TV shows are do directly to the deliberate misrepresentation of historical and cultural practices in these productions. You're not fooling anyone anymore.

Simply put this show is fantastic! It's not 100% accurate. SO WHAT? BIG DEAL! Whats with these reviews? Stick with the book then you old fuddies. Two episodes and I'm hooked...I want more! Someone needs to grow a set grab this show and run with it I say. What kind of fisherman drives 100 miles to a river hole wets the line twice packs up and leaves? Seriously look at your hand...now smack yourself. I can honestly say I knew zip zilch nada about this show what's that mean? Advertisement failure. I happened upon it wandering aimlessly(you should try this sometime, it gets you places)and pow on demand which is how I like it *wink nudge to the aforementioned offenders Episode two like a gold nugget held my attention for 43 min And had me looking for the record button afterwards. What happens now? Who knows maybe another positive reflection will help at any rate my hats off to you guys GREAT SHOW!

Trying too hard at producing a high budget, high quality "fantasy" TV series.. I only refer to it as "fantasy" as it compares itself and attempts to compete with high quality authentic fantasy/history shows such as Shannara, Game of Thrones, Vikings. Unfortunately it fails Its boring, and predictable overall plot nor is it interesting or suspenseful. It is not an accurate depiction of the Bible either. It is not particularly necessary to follow the script of the Bible in order to be successful nor is it a deal breaker for me. It just fails overall. Boring. Boring. Lame. Lame. IMDb rates it 6/10 for a reason. With only 2 episodes released so far, it is only going to get more and more suck suck garbage garbage. That is all. Thank you.