Jacob

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.

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.

The story of Jacob was one I knew nothing about before I sat down to watch this TV movie, which may be why I found it so engaging to watch. The hour and a half running time flies past as we follow a story involving pride, betrayal and eventual redemption.

JACOB works because it's all about the characters and the emotion. The whole gamut of the human experience is explored here - love, death, pain, suffering, respect - against a canvas of people who aren't merely vessels for story elements but who seem to be alive whether they're on the screen or off it.

And what a cast! Matthew Modine, who I've never liked before, is unrecognisable and all heart as Jacob. Sean Bean is excellent, if seldom used, as his brother Esau. Then we get the supporting players: elder veterans (Joss Ackland, Irene Papas, Giancarlo Giannini) mixed with the then-popular (Lara Flynn Boyle) and the future famous (Christoph Waltz). Their talents help to make this a compelling Biblical adaptation.

It was nice to see the things visually which we read in bible about Jacob. The film focuses on Jacob's hardships in life, even if he gained his father's blessings.

Jacob deceived his father saying he is Esau...through this film another thing is made clear...he too got deceived by his father-in-law as payback.I didn't noticed that fact before....

I liked the way in which Leah was portrayed in the film.The girl's feelings are shown carefully in it. Also Rachel's heart is broken on learning about her father's cunning nature.In pain, she tells the family that Jacob's God will punish you for this.

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-.