The Apocalypse

Not the worst movie. Not the greatest movie ever. A good movie. It has a an okay story line. It has great acting. This is a good movie. 10 out of 10 is overrating it. But still will say it is 6 out of 10.

Richard Harris's moving performance is the centerpiece of this film, in which members of the early church, struggling for faith and reassurance in the face of violent persecution, are searching for John the Beloved, last of the living apostles, who is "hiding in plain sight" on the prison island of Patmos. However, don't ignore some very good performances by several of the others. The visions of John are depicted judiciously, considering the CGI available in 2000 and the budget (that is, they don't scream "made-for-TV"); the montages do not try to show every detail but give a general idea of the visions. To watch this is a good adjunct to reading Revelation, to remind one that these fantastic visions came to a real person in a very chaotic time.

Evocative rendition of John's visions that doesn't shove a particular interpretation down your throat ala "Left Behind." More likely to provoke worship than to scratch your theological itches. Which is why I liked it.

The Apocalypse is essentially two films. First it's a ground to earth story about corruption in high places and persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire during the days of the Emperor Domitian. Depending on the politics of the day until Constantine became a Christian, persecution waxed and waned in those first 200 or so years. Domitian like some of his predecessors has declared himself a god and doesn't like people around who aren't recognizing his deity. So it's round up the Christians like it was during Nero and slay them, sometimes for sport and amusement.

Sent to the Isle of Patmos where it is rumored that the last of the disciples of Jesus is living the Apostle John, is Benjamin Sadler who both finds John and finds true love with Christian girl Vittoria Belvedere. He also finds a lot of corruption and a great deal about himself.

The aged John is played by Richard Harris and he does it well, one of his better performances in his last years. The second part of the film are the fantasy sequences that become the basis for the Book of Revelation. Do not be watching this film if you are on any kind of pharmaceuticals.

The Apocalypse does have a preachy tone to it which might be off putting to many. Still it's not a bad work and should get more than church viewings.

I was blown away when I happened upon this film while channel surfing on TV. Richard Harris is tremendous. The story captured my attention immediately.

The biblical and historical underpinning of this account seems as solid as a rock. The account of what happened to John on Patmos is engrossing and whether based wholly on historical research or or embellished by the author's imagination, I believe it is close to what actually occurred. I highly recommend this film to all believers. I hope to find it on DVD.

I also found the other actors in this film to be outstanding, especially the actress playing Irene and the actor playing Valerius.

Apocalypse is inspiring. Don't miss it.