Posted on 05/13/2006 9:06:08 PM PDT by Teófilo
Folks, The Apocalypse
You all know Richard Harris. His filmography is quite extensive and includes The Guns of Navarone (1961), The Bible (1966) titled The Bible... In the Beginning (in USA) & La Bibbia (in Italy), A Man Called Horse (1970), and two Harry Potter movies. The Apocalypse is his last movie and he delivers a powerful performance as John the Apostle. There's something about his raspy voice, which sounds old yet vital, imbued with authority and compassion that moves the viewer to listen carefully. All his actions seemed to very deliberate but not forced, very natural, without conceit. What an actor!
Actors Vittoria Belvedere and Benjamin Sadler play "Irene" and "Valerius" respectively, in a supporting role. Theirs is the "mandatory love affair" that we often see in these kinds of movie, but I assure that this affair is not vulgar, nor does it eclipse the plot. Irene had met the Apostle John when she was younger and now she's sent by the Bishop of Ephesus to track the Apostle in order to ensure the authenticity of the Apocalypse. Valerius is a Roman officer whose parents were Christians, having been adopted by a Roman general. He infiltrates the Ephesian Church, his mission being to locate the Apostle John, but he has second thoughts and…well, watch the movie.
The movie's strong points lie on its special effects. They carry the story well, without overwhelming it. John tells the story, and you see what he sees. Although the director—Rafaelle Mertes—threaded some current events into the movie to illustrate its prophetic aspects—including scenes from 9-11 to picture "war"—he does it without forcing the biblical text into modern fulfillments. What the director achieves is a correspondence of ideas. This is no "rapture" movie a la Left Behind..
The Apocalypse is a part of the The Bible Collection
Now, I want to share with you a few screen captures from the movie, along with their related Bible verses, as a brief meditation. Click on the pictures to make them larger.
The courts of Heaven look suspiciously like an archetype of the Second Jewish Temple:
"After these things I looked, and behold a door was opened in heaven, and the first voice which I heard, as it were, of a trumpet speaking with me, said: Come up hither, and I will shew thee the things which must be done hereafter." (Revelation 4:1, Douay Rheims)
The White Throne of the Lamb and the Book with the Seven Seals, ready to be broken.
"And I saw: and behold in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the ancients, a Lamb standing as it were slain, having seven horns and seven eyes: which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth into all the earth." (Revelation 5:6, Douay Rheims)
"For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall rule them, and shall lead them to the fountains of the waters of life, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." (Revelation 7:17, Douay Rheims)
The Woman crowned with 12 stars resembles someone we often hear about:
And a great sign appeared in heaven: A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars:
And being with child, she cried travailing in birth, and was in pain to be delivered.
And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with an iron rod: and her son was taken up to God, and to his throne. (Revelation 12: 1-2, 5, Douay Rheims)
This is the The Apocalypse's artistic vision of the New Jerusalem descending from heaven:
And I John saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice from the throne, saying: "Behold the tabernacle of God with men, and he will dwell with them. And they shall be his people; and God himself with them shall be their God." (Revelation 21: 1-2, Douay Rheims)
Finally, the passing of St. John the Apostle in the midst of the Christians of Ephesus was very moving:
And the spirit and the bride say: Come. And he that heareth, let him say: Come. And he that thirsteth, let him come: and he that will, let him take the water of life, freely. For I testify to every one that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book: If any man shall add to these things, God shall add unto him the plagues written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from these things that are written in this book. He that giveth testimony of these things, saith, Surely I come quickly: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (Revelation 22: 17-21, Douay Rheims)
I think that the graphic layout came out better at Vivificat!
-Theo
Awesome, I cant wait to order it.
Thank you for the recommendation. It is available from Ignatius Press.
http://www.ignatius.com/ViewProduct.aspx?SID=1&Product_ID=2354&SKU=TAPO-M&ReturnURL=search.aspx%3f%3fSID%3d1%26SearchCriteria%3dapocalypse
In what way is it a (big-C) Catholic movie?
The Ephesian Church is visibly lead by a monarchichal bishop; St. John is portrayed celebrating a Mass while in jail for other Christian prisoners; the Lady crowned by 12 stars in St. John's vision looks like Mom.
-Theo
Trinty Broadcassting haas had it on several times.
I don't watch TBN but that's nice to know. :-)
-Theo
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