Testament: The Story of Moses

Found this series highly realistic, informative and thoughtful, explaining in detail the story of Moses and adding context for that time in history. Almost like an "Inside the Episode." It really helped add meaning to some of the symbolism of the 10 plagues of Egypt, and how they were meant to refute the Egyptian gods to establish the supremecy of the Hebrew God. While some didn't care for it, I enjoyed the commentary from the various religious and historical scholars, and exploring their interpretations from the Christian, Jewish, Muslim and feminist perspectives. They key takeaway for me is that Moses represented multiple peoples and beliefs, but his success was grounded in being the driving force in bringing people together and establishing a moral code that still exists to this day. A bit disappointed that it didn't delve into the Ark of the Covenant, as that is also a topic of interest that would have been great to get perspective on and is still a mystery today. Well worth the time IMHO.

I came with reservations because of other comments, but apparently they didn't watch it until the end, because I did in fact find it very entertaining, insightful, touching and also very realistic.

I like how they show Moses for what he really was - a shy, reserved and troubled individual. They don't hide the fact that he lived most of his life as a fugitive. They also show accounts of his interactions with various local people from polytheistic tribes and other faiths, which most other shows about topics such as the bible omit. Reality is much more diverse and complex than just the mythical story, and they honor this fact historically.

If this would have been a show trying to "convert" you (Judaism is against conversion anyway), they would have painted Moses in a much better light and also focused only on the "mono" theistic part of that history, but they actually do the opposite.

What I'm trying to say is that this show is not religious in any way, it's pretty much objective and shows that everyone has good and bad sides, such as fitting real life. It even shows GOD as a multifaceted entity such as he is in the Hebrew bible and his complex relationship with Moses, and tackle grand philosophical questions such as "Why did god create evil in the first place?".

So in essence, they do bring this biblical story to life and the main actors in my point of you have very realistic relationships among themselves.

The only fault I have to say is that yes, it is a bit "cliche", but I think only because it's a story we are all familiar with. They did succeed in bringing in a fresh historical perspective. Even though it's in English, and obviously adapted to a modern crowd so that not every single detail is precisely accurate or sometimes dramatized, I applaud the fact that they made it feel so raw and intimate. Overall, I recommend.

Lots of good things in this and interesting facts shared, in particular by the Christian and Jewish commentators. Also some errors, not limited to:

• Moses went up the mountain twice to get the 10 commandments, not once as is shown here.

• No need to show Moses' mum talking to him at the end as a spirit ghost.

• No partying shown around the golden calf as the bible recalls.

• No Tabernacle shown.

As with all these movies about Moses, so much is shown about the journey to the Red Sea and the crossing, that the end is always rushed.

But, let's not decry that this is on Netflix and many people will hear the story, who may not otherwise have done.

I guess I just don't understand. Is the Bible not good enough that you have to make up scriptures that were never written. I'm sure there are other things to be critical of, but I just can't get over the hole taking one of the most important scriptures in the Bible and completely altering it. God says " I am, but I am and what I will be"???? Really? My goodness. What nonsense is this? Someone please explain to me why we need to throw that in there. And no point in this rambling coherent thought did the Bible God saying "and what I will be" - It's It's arguably one of the most important verses in the Bible and you don't alter those words even if you don't believe it ever happened. If you have any understanding of theology, it's completely completely wrong. God does not change. Again, it's OK if you don't believe it, but don't alter the story. God is not who will be. In the Bible, it says "I Am that I Am" this cronyism is painful. Artistic liberties may have their limits, but this is too much.

I rather enjoyed all the episodes of this film. I have read the story of Moses many times. This version of Moses is based on interpretations from Islamic, Christian, and Jewish sources. Therefore, if you are familiar with only one of those interpretations you may find it somewhat off-putting.

They only cover the main story beats of Mose's life. For example, they don't talk about him striking the rock twice to get water which is found in the Bible. This was the event the kept him from the promised land according to Biblical sources.

In this film they never reveal why he is kept out of the promised land. They also don't talk about the snake on a pole, Miriam catching leprosy, or the earth swallowing up people who defy God.

They cover just enough to keep it short and sweet. I recommend this film to anyone.