Jacob

In response to #1, who didn't understand how Jacob could be with his grandfather: Jacob (Yaakov) and Esav were 15 when Abraham died. The reason Jacob was making lentil soup was because lentils as well as other round type foods are the traditional foods Jews eat upon returning from burying an immediate family member.

The time line is as follows: Abraham lived 175 years and was 100 when Issac was born. Isaac lived 185 years and was 60 when Yaakov and Esav were born. This would make Abraham 160 when his grandchildren were born and 15 when he died.

As for the "dowry," that was taken from him by Elifaz the son of Esav as he was sent to kill Yaakov. The problem Elifaz had was that he used to study with Yaakov and as such was looking for a way not to actually "kill" his uncle while at the same time listen to his father. The way around that was to take all of Yaakov's possessions and according to the Talmud, a destitute person is considered dead, thus he "honored" his father.

You were correct that the "accuracy" to the Torah was quite good. I would not go ahead and compare the Torah story of Yaakov to anything else you did as there can be NO comparison.

In land of Canaan lives Isaac : Joss Ackland, and his wife Rebekah : Irene Papas . Both of whom have two twins sons : the valiant , strong Esau : Sean Bean and the shy, silent Jacob : Mathew Modine. Esau is a brave, fearless hunter while Jabob is a lonely shepherd who is usually caring sheep. While Jacob is more compassionate, sensitive and tender than Esau. The good mother Rebekah is convinced that Jacob is the chosen heir, and due to God announced her long time ago : "two nations are within your womb, two manner of men shall be delivered , the one shall be stranger than the other and the elder shall serve the younger" . However, Jacob is the second born son, and he has not right in his father's inheritance against the desires his mother . Shortly after, Jacob is preparing a lentil porridge when his famished brother Esau asks him some food, Jacob agrees but only one condition, that Esau sell him his birthright .The starving Esau agrees it, though he gives little value to its meaning , and they eventually conclude the covenant. Later on, Rebekah prepares a ploy, as Jacob replaces Esau when Issac is blind and almost dying, and he then obtains his blessing as the main heir instead Esau. To be aware of Jacob blessing, Rebekah advises Jacob to flee due to the kill intention of his brother Esau . In his way to Haran, Jacob experienced a weird vision in which he saw a long stair to heaven, the famous Jacob's ladder and at the stair top, he heard the God's voice while shouting blessings to Jacob. Along the way Jacob fights an Angel and other incidents. Arriving in Haran Jacob meets Rebeca : Lara Flynn Boyle, and falls for her. Jacob asks his uncle Laban : Giancarlo Giannini for marrying her, but he has to carry out a hard condition by working 14 years for him. But then Jacob is deceived again, as in the wedding night Rebeca is replaced by her sister Lea : Juliet Aubrey. A bit later on, Laban gave him his daughter Rachel in exchange of other seven years working.

Biblical story narrated on The Genesis Book from the Holy Bible. This is the classy Biblic history with usual ingredients, dramas confrontation and romances. However, here lacks battles, epic events and spectacular settings. As it is a medium budget film, without pompa, shot simply on the usual location in Morocco .Well played by a very fine main and support cast. Matthew Modine is nice as as the good shepherd who God finally appoints as ruler of Israel and Father of Israelis. Lara Flynn Boyle is attractive as Rachel and Juliet Aubrey as her sister is charming . Remaining cast is excellent as Joss Ackland playing Isaac, Irene Papas as Rebekah, Giancarlo Giannini as Jacob's father-in-law, Christopher Ohrt as Morah, Yvonne Scio and brief appearance by a young Christopher Waltz.

It packs a sensitive and adequate musical score by Marco Frisina under supervision by the great Ennio Morricone. And colorful, evocative cinematography by Ennio Guarneri. The motion picture was professionally directed by Peter Hall. He was director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, as he took over the direction of the National Theatre from Sir Laurence Olivier. Peter Hall, Rebecca Hall's father, also directed some films as Never talk to strangers, The homecoming, La traviata, Perfect Friday, Work is a 4-letter word. Rating 6/10. Entertaining religious epic for the Bible lovers.

Straight out of the Book of Genesis. The story of Jacob that becomes the father of Israel and his brother Esau who fathers the nation of Edom.

Good casting - well acted. I will be honest, I would have enjoyed the film better if Sean Bean played Jacob (but he did play Esau - the reason I watched the movie).

It's a rather slow story - but fine if you like Biblical Tales.

6/10

I had to watch 'Jacob' for my freshmen religion class. While it is interesting enough, I don't think anyone would find it a 'fun' movie. I think the movie requires that you have some sort of religious background. The story of Jacob and Esau is interesting, but I don't think it translates well into film. I'll give it a B-.

i found Jacob to be intriguing and a great biblical story of love, first i am not that familiar with most bible story's probably because the religious folk only tell us what they deem most significant IE moses ,jesus etc i had never heard the more personal side of his life and am glad i got to watch this.

however i think Jacob's story should be as told as other more well known biblical figures as it allows us to hear story's other than the thou shall and thou shalt not and all other story's parent's tell there children to frighten them. if you are interested in the bible i would highly recommend you watch this and the cast give a emotional and convincing performance. a beautiful if not tragic love story.