Patterns of Evidence: Exodus

I took a look at this, but sad to say, this is anything but scientific.

The scientific method - formulate a hypothesis and attempt to disprove it. Falsifiabilty is a cornerstone of the scientific method, and always beware of anybody who claims to have 'proved' something.

The non-scientific method (used here) formulate a hypothesis and attempt to prove it.

If you tried hard enough you could 'prove' that werewolves are real, or that Barak Obama is a Muslim.

The Biblical account MAY be true, but this contributes nothing to the story of Exodus.

After you watch the first few minutes of this film, during which a myriad of Egyptologists and religious experts offer their opposing stance on the factuality of the Biblical Exodus, you will understand the enormous scope of the objective this film sets for itself. In a very bold move this film sets the bar extremely high immediately. So high in fact that if the evidence presented were not at this supreme level the whole film would have fallen on its face. Fortunately for all of us, Patters of Evidence: The Exodus delivers to the utmost.

Experts from all related fields, especially opposing views, are given their full time and respect. I was personally impressed with the no-expense-spared feel of the film. For example, Tim (the filmmaker) travels all over the world, speaks to an enormous number of experts, and shows more than enough evidence for all points made. In many documentaries I have watched I have been left with feelings of disappointment because the topic, or a specific point, was not explored thoroughly enough. I was not left with that feeling to any degree here.

This subject is so critical to ancient history and religion with much contemporary relevance. This film should be viewed by everyone, highly recommended.

I had yet to see a documentary, until now, that gave both sides of the argument an equal shot. This also felt like a movie with the music and effects that demonstrated certain pivotal points that the Director was making in his search for the truth about the evidence for the Exodus. The exposition is not over the top, and the interviews are concise, to the point. Not your typical documentary that is for sure, and a ground breaking one at that. I believe this documentary re-opens a debate that many considered closed for decades now. One of the reviews that I agree with said that, "After watching this documentary, any open minded individual would say to himself/herself, 'This makes sense'; consequently, at the very least, incline him or her to do more research for themselves." I highly recommend this to everyone, be you religious or not.

As an engineer who has been working in high-tech industry since 1996, I appreciate Tim Mahoney's pursuit of truth through facts, evidence, and logic. This documentary re-writes the human history as we know it, and affirms the Biblical events to be true. I liked that he not only interviewed those who believed in the Bible stories, but also those who do not. He gave a good balance of arguments from both sides, presented all the facts and findings, and allowed the viewers to be their own judge on what is true based on the proof presented to them. I got goosebumps throughout the film when archaeologists and historians confirmed the stories and patterns of Exodus. I'm so glad I watched this and can't wait to own this documentary on DVD.

Insightful, even handed, restrained, and yet utterly compelling, Patterns of Evidence: The Exodus is an intelligent documentary and mature treatment of a very sensitive subject. It's a film that values exploration and questioning, rather than hand wringing and partisanship. It's a film of value, a film of questions, and one that can serve to better inform. As the documentary relates, the establishment view is that the Exodus didn't happen as described in the Bible, or is entirely fictional. This criticism seems to revolve around the established timeline for the Exodus. The documentary challenges this assumption, and does so convincingly. Experts of every stripe are shown, yet the film gives a notable voice to those who point to startling evidence of exactly what the Bible describes, just earlier than accepted.

Director Tim Mahoney navigates the ensuing web well, keeping the viewer anchored with excellent visuals and a concise yet intelligent description off the correlation of events, and how they may fit from an archaeological standpoint.

It's not perfect, some of the dramatization is unnecessary and the narration uneven, yet the questions poignant, and the execution striking.

4/5 Stars