User Reviews

Parts of Abraham's story were told in the 1963 European biblical epic "Sodom and Gomorrah" (one of the more disappointing biblical epics of the golden age) and later on a little more detailed in "The Bible". Originally aired over tonight on TNT, this TV drama of early history stars Richard Harris in one of his great later performances as the biblical patriarch and Barbara Hershey as his devoted but sometimes stern wife Sarah.

We see them go from the land of Canaan were Abraham's father had settled, and we see Abraham's decision to leave with his family when God promised him him a new land. They end up in Egypt where Sarah becomes property of the Pharaoh, then they end up in a beautiful land that they fly has already been settled. When they try to enter the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, they are greeted with contempt, and part of the family is taken as slaves.

Part one ends with their determination to get them back, and in part two, they deal with the fall of the two cities, Lot's exit from Evil early civilizations, and Sarah's desperation to give Abraham a son even though she is already given her servant-girl Hagar to Abraham to bear him a son through her. Sarah shows resentment towards Hagar's son, Ishmael, fearing that this will leave nothing for her son, Isaac.

In the Book of Genesis, the story of Abraham only covers a short passage, so there has to be a lot of research to create a drama that will last the length of this TV movie. What results is an above-average attempt to show the possibilities of The Saga of this growing Hebrew family, their passage into the desert and their desperation to reach the land God has promised. Harris and Hershey are excellent, with Maximilian Schell memorable in a cameo as the Egyptian Pharaoh.

Once you get in tune with the structure that flashes forward long periods of time after major events, you will find it as enjoyable as the great epics of the golden age of Hollywood. It definitely meets its goal and as a result, starts off the TNT series of biblical epics that certainly were quite memorable.

AND A WONDERFULLY DONE ONE OF THOSE AT THAT! Hershey is stunning in her remake of Ava Gardner's Original Portrayal of Sarah the matriarch (As she is in ANYTHING, INCLUDING MARY MAGDALENE 1988!) Richard Harris, The WIcked Brother Cain, from 1966, is brought back 28 years later to play the Father of the Faithful, AND A WONDERFUL FATHER HE PLAYS TOO! confused at the end of the sacrifice he make to prove his faith to God, as was George C Scott in 1966, He proves himself a Giant of Faith in the End, The Destruction of Sodom And Gomorrah remake was brilliant as was 1966. I would highly recommend this for anybody recently converting to Christianity. ***** out of *****. EXCELLENCE!

{Prophet} have you not thought about the man who disputed with Abraham about his Lord, because God had given him power to rule? When Abraham said, 'It is my Lord who gives life and death,' he said, 'I too give life and death.' So Abraham said, 'God brings the sun from the east; so bring it from the west.' The disbeliever was dumbfounded: God does not guide those who do evil. 2:258 Surah Al-Baqarah Or take the one who passed by a ruined town. He said, 'How will God give this life when it has died?' So God made him die for a hundred years, and then raised him up, saying, 'How long did you stay like that?' He answered, 'A day, or part of a day.' God said, 'No, you stayed like that for a hundred years. Look at your food and drink: they have not gone bad. Look at your donkey- We will make you a sign for the people- look at the bones: see how We bring them together and clothe them with flesh!' When all became clear to him, he said, 'Now I know that God has power over everything.'2:259 And when Abraham said, 'My Lord, show me how You give life to the dead,' He said, 'Do you not believe, then?' 'Yes,' said Abraham, 'but just to put my heart at rest.' So God said, 'Take four birds and train them to come back to you. Then place them on separate hilltops, call them back, and they will come flying to you: know that God is all powerful and wise.'2:260

• Abraham

Remember when Abraham said to his father, Azar, 'How can you take idols as gods? I see that you and your people have clearly gone astray.' 6:74 In this way We showed Abraham {God's} mighty dominion over the heavens and the earth, so that he might be a firm believer. 6:75 When the night grew dark over him he saw a star and said, 'This is my Lord,' but when it set, he said, 'I do not like things that set.' And when he saw the moon rising he said, 'This is my Lord,' but when it too set, he said, 'If my Lord does not guide me, I shall be one of those who go astray.'6:77 Then he saw the sun rising and cried, 'This is my Lord! This is greater.' But when the sun set, he said, 'My people, I disown all that you worship beside God.6:78 I have turned my face as a true believer towards Him who created the heavens and the earth. I am not one of the polytheists.' His people argued with him, and he said, 'How can you argue with me about God when He has guided me? I do not fear anything you associate with Him: unless my Lord wills {nothing can happen}. My Lord encompasses everything in His knowledge. How can you not take heed? 6:80 Why should I fear what you associate with Him? Why do you not fear to associate with Him things for which He has sent you no authority? Tell me, if you know the answer, which side has more right to feel secure?

It is those who have faith, and do not mix their faith with idolatry, who will be secure, and it is they who are rightly guided.' 6:82 Such was the argument We gave to Abraham against his people- We raise in rank whoever We will- your Lord is all wise, all knowing.

6:83 - It is not fitting for the Prophet and the believers to ask forgiveness for the idolaters- even if they are related to them- after having been shown that they are the inhabitants of the Blaze: 9:113 Abraham asked forgiveness for his father because he had made a promise to him, but once he realized that his father was an enemy of God, he washed his hands of him. Abraham was tender-hearted and forbearing. 9:114 God would not condemn for going astray those He has already guided {to the faith} before making entirely clear to them what they should avoid. God has knowledge of everything;9:115 { Surah At-Tawbah } _ Prophet Abraham . Messengers Lot To Abraham Our messengers brought good news. They said, 'Peace.' He answered, 'Peace,' and without delay he brought in a roasted calf.

11:69 When he saw that their hands did not reach towards the meal, he found this strange and became afraid of them. But they said, 'Do not be afraid. We have been sent against the people of Lot.' 11:70 His wife was standing {nearby} and laughed. We gave her good news of Isaac and, after him, of Jacob.

She said, 'Alas for me! How am I to bear a child when I am an old woman, and my husband here is an old man? That would be a strange thing!' 11:72 They said, 'Are you astonished at what God ordains? The grace of God and His blessings be upon you, people of this house! For He is worthy of all praise and glory.' Then, when the fear left Abraham and the good news came to him, he pleaded with Us for Lot's people, 11:74 for Abraham was forbearing, tender-hearted, and devout.

'Abraham, cease your pleading: what your Lord has ordained has come about; punishment is coming to them, which cannot be turned back.' 11:76 And when Our messengers came to Lot, he was anxious for them, feeling powerless to protect them, and said, 'This is a truly terrible day!' His people came rushing towards him; they used to commit foul deeds. He said, 'My people, here are my daughters. They are more wholesome for you, so have some fear of God and do not disgrace me with my guests. Is there not a single right-minded man among you?' 11:78 They said, 'You know very well that we have no right to your daughters. You know very well what we want.' He said, 'If only I had the strength to stop you or could rely on strong support!' 11:80 They {the messengers} said, 'Lot, we are your Lord's messengers. They will not reach you. Leave with your household in the dead of night, and let none of you turn back. Only your wife will suffer the fate that befalls the others. Their appointed time is the morning: is the morning not near?' And so when what We had ordained came about, We turned their town upside down and rained down stones of baked clay on it, layer upon layer, 11:82 { Surah Hud } marked from your Lord. It is not far from the evildoers.