In scotts hands, the bible is a fiction to be used however he wishes to tell his own story. Gods and kings director ridley scott s decision to cast all white leads as egyptians in the upcoming biblical drama, but theres a method. From acclaimed director ridley scott gladiator, prometheus comes the epic adventure exodus. Ridley scotts exodus praised for set pieces but falls flat. With christian bale, joel edgerton, ben kingsley, sigourney weaver. Ridley scott says whitewashing was the only way to finance. Many people are naturally wondering, will this movie about the exodus and moses be more faithful to the bibles text as opposed to the terribly mangled noah film a few months ago. After all, very rarely does the bible give a physical description of a character.
Gods and kings, has come under fire for whitewashing african history, casting four white leads to tell a story of israelities and egyptians. Gods and kings, quite a few heads were turned by the fact that the principal cast which includes christian bale as moses, joel edgerton as rhamses and aaron paul as joshua was comprised almost exclusively of white actors. Gods and kings, the story of one mans daring courage to. Gods and kings, like the ten commandments, tells the story of moses leading the hebrews out of bondage in ancient egypt as told by the book of exodus, but the spectacle of pharonic egyptreplete with gargantuan pyramids, the sphinx of giza, and grandiose royal palacesis essentially all the film has going for it. The defiant leader moses rises up against egyptian pharaoh ramses ii, setting six hundred thousand slaves on a monumental journey of escape from. Around the time of boy and bicycle, he recalls, tony, an avid mountain climber.
Similarlyand much as darren aronofsky did in making noahridley scott in his exodus has treated the bible as myth and mere inspiration. Ridley scott in exodus talks with ben kingsley, john. Jul 29, 2014 director ridley scott s new biblical blockbuster, exodus. Bales unintentionally comic reflections on god are instructive because they reveal that the god of exodus.
Ridley scott battles with the essence of the exodus. The twoway censors say the film takes liberties with its source material, the book of exodus, especially its. Gods and kings features moses, the pharaoh, hundreds of thousands. How does ridley scott s exodus compare with the bibles. Egypt bans ridley scott s exodus for historical inaccuracies. Gods and kings posted on wednesday, november 26th, 2014 by russ fischer ridley scott is one of the most powerful directors. Ridley scott addresses the exodus casting controversy film. Gods and kings 2014, an interpretation of the exodus of israelite slaves from egypt by moses, sparked controversy last month when it was banned in egypt. The defiant leader moses rises up against egyptian pharaoh ramses ii, setting six hundred thousand slaves on a monumental journey of escape from egypt and its terrifying cycle of deadly plagues. Sir ridley scott has found himself embroiled in a race row after his latest film was branded too white.
If you are planning on going to see ridley scott s new movie exodus. Ridley scott and missing the point of the book of exodus by bishop robert barron december 16, 2014 ridley scotts new film exodus. Commanders of the order of ouissam alaouite david di donatello winners. Ridley scotts exodus casts aaron paul, sigourney weaver. Gods and kings, the epic tale of one mans daring courage to take on the might of an. Gods and kings, the 2014 film directed by ridley scott of alien and blade runner fame. Scott seems almost helpless to the tedium endemic to the plots of swordandsandal epics, a category whose resurgence scott helped birth with gladiator and whose shortcomings are epitomized by exodus. Ridley scotts rendering of the book of exodus serves up most of the spectacular highlights of the biblical tale. It was at the burning bush where moses received his calling to inspire a nation.
Gods and kings director ridley scott plans to make another biblical epic about david, who defeated goliath and became the king of israel. The biblical epic has come under fire for starring mostly white people despite being set in egypt. The film retells the biblical story of moses, who, according to the book of exodus, suffered near death during infancy, was adopted into the egyptian royal family, defied the pharoah, freed the hebrews and parted the red sea. The biblical epic of moses has inspired generations of creatives, but egypt has never looked as dour as in the first trailer for ridley scott s exodus. Ridley scotts explanation for whitewashing his exodus movie. Robert alter, a leading secular scholar of scripture, says the film was fun to watch, but its not exactly exodus. Gods and kings 2014 and then portrayed an eccentric money manager in the black comedy the big short 2015, about the 2008 financial crisis. Gods and kings opens with a grand battle scene in which horse hooves, chariot wheels and human bodies appear to tumble off the movie. At times, it can feel like the bible is the least key text. Nov 26, 2014 ridley scotts exodus movie is still racist as shit. And its disgusting, lazy and a movie that people shouldnt still be making in 2014. Dec 09, 2014 christian bale has come out in defence of director ridley scott at the new york premiere of the biblical epic exodus. If exodus is, at its core, very much the story of two brothers, then so is the life of ridley scott. Described by film producer michael deeley as the very best eye in the business, director ridley scott was born on november 30, 1937 in south shields, tyne and wear then county durham.
Exodus director ridley scott explains controversial. Ive to admit ridley scott s take on moses does looks appealing. Gods and kings, shortly after learning of the mysterious events that transformed a lowly hebrew slave into a. Dec 05, 2014 ridley scott with christian bale on the set of exodus. Nov 29, 2014 ridley scott s rendering of the book of exodus serves up most of the spectacular highlights of the biblical tale 2014 marks the resurgence of the old testament at the movies. Joel edgerton empathises with campaign against whitewashing in new ridley scott epic. Good friday, death, and christian life catholic world report. This is exemplified in the bible where similar stories are recounted reflecting. Ridley scott says whitewashing was the only way to finance exodus. The biblical story of exodus hits the big screen on friday with the release of ridley scotts exodus. Ridley scott s exodus movie is still racist as shit. Her fiery countess tracy di vicenzo even did the impossible. Scott directed the biblicallyinspired epic film exodus.
Joshuas father nun played by ben kingsley believes his chance meeting with moses played by christian bale has been ordained by god. Director ridley scott s moses film exodus has added several acclaimed names to its supporting cast. Ridley scotts exodus film cops complaints about racist. With gladiator ridley scott modernized the 1950s hollywood roman epic and was. Ridley scotts 3d moses biopic is very long, very camp and very grim. Mar 15, 20 christian bale eyed to play moses in ridley scott s exodus 20th century fox and director ridley scott are courting christian bale to play moses in exodus, one of two similar biblical projects currently developing. Ridley scott has books on goodreads with 125 ratings. Ridley scott and missing the point of the book of exodus. Gods and kings features moses, the pharaoh, hundreds of thousands of slaves making their way across the floor of the red sea, all ten plagues, the burning bush, and even the angel of yahweh in the form of a petulant eleven year old boy with a british. It has no sound biblical reference as illustrated in the book of exodus. Gods and kings director ridley scott on creating his vision. Gods and kings is a 2014 epic biblical film directed and produced by ridley scott. The biblical book of the same title tells two entwined stories.
The defiant leader moses rises up against egyptian pharaoh. Ridley scott and missing the point of the book of exodus bishop robert barron december 19, 2014 0 ridley scott s new film exodus. If you are planning on going to see ridley scotts new movie exodus. Described by film producer michael deeley as the very best eye in the business, director ridley scott was born on november 30, 1937 in south shields, tyne and wear then. On march 27, 2014, the studio changed the title of the film from exodus to exodus. Bales steely, expressionless acting turns out to be a perfect match with scott s steely, expressionless direction.
Gods and kings features moses, the pharaoh, hundreds of thousands of slaves making their way across the floor of the red sea, all ten plagues, the burning bush, and even the angel of yahweh in the form of a petulant eleven year old boy with a british accent. Gods and kings, which tells how the jewish leader moses frees his people from bondage in egypt with the aid of ten plagues. Scott hahn explains the primary theological paradigm of gods plan of salvation for humanity. Religion and reality in ridley scotts exodus america magazine. Gods and kings is a victory all the same, despite its suffering from the usual december disease of being 30 minutes too long. Ridley scotts moses did indeed spend years in the desert to the east of egypt, but he seems little changed from the selfabsorbed.
Gods and kings is ridley scotts attempt to bring a famous chunk of the hebrew bible to life in 3d. Sir ridley scott born 30 november 1937 is an english filmmaker. You probably shouldnt go see ridley scotts pretty racist. How ridley scotts exodus strays from the bible time. Christian bale eyed to play moses in ridley scotts exodus. Nov 25, 2014 if exodus is, at its core, very much the story of two brothers, then so is the life of ridley scott. Ridley scott s exodus casts aaron paul, sigourney weaver, ben kingsley and john turturro. Then youll be able to tell ridley scott whats what, and youll finally have something worthwhile to say in all those christian bale fan letters you keep writing. Joel edgerton poses at the austalian premiere of felony. Ridley scotts rendering of the book of exodus serves up most of the spectacular highlights of the biblical tale 2014 marks the resurgence of the old testament at the movies. Ridley scott in exodus talks with ben kingsley, john turturro, sigourney weaver, aaron paul. Ridley scott and missing the point of the book of exodus exodus is not telling a story primarily of political liberation though that is part of it, but rather a story of spiritual liberation.
The following is the filmography of english director and producer ridley scott. T he biblical story of exodus hits the big screen on friday with the release of ridley scott s exodus. And if the bible is just a collection of myths, why not use its elements to tell whatever story we want. Ridley scott took far too many liberties and the acts of moses are not as illustrated in the bible. His work in the latter film earned bale his third oscar nomination. The studio has set a december 12, 2014 release for scott. Beginning his career in advertising where he honed his filmmaking skills by making inventive minifilms. Its not even that good a story, moses grumbles early on in ridley scott s exodus.
In june 2012, ridley scott announced that he was developing an adaptation of the book of exodus, tentatively titled moses. Excruciating exodus movie exudes errors biblical archaeology. Ridley scotts exodus praised for set pieces but falls flat on acting. Ridley scott hasnt even finished postproduction on the counselor yet, but fox already has an eye on awards season for his next project. Exodus dei e re, di ridley scott, con christian bale e joel. The box office gold standard for bible movies, of course, remains mel.
And his explanations as to why he chose to make his main characters of the exodus story set in egypt white while making the servants and. Christian bale left, ridley scott center, and joel edgerton right answer questions about the religious aspects of exodus at the crosby hotel in new york city. He shows how the covenant god makes with the people of israel at sinai is the same covenant that jesus comes to fulfill. Ridley scotts exodus praised for set pieces but falls.
Ridley scott s exodus praised for set pieces but falls flat on acting. Gods and kings in the hopes that it will at least be somewhat faithful to the biblical account of the exodus, you might not want to waste your hard earned money, because it is definitely nothing like cecil b. Gods and kings has arrived, and director ridley scott looks to be on very firm ground. Christian bale eyed to play moses in ridley scott s exodus 20th century fox and director ridley scott are courting christian bale to play moses in exodus, one of two similar biblical projects currently developing. It is often discussed along with william gibsons novel neuromancer as.
His father was an officer in the royal engineers and the family followed him as his career posted him throughout the united kingdom and europe before they. Ridley scott s atheistic biblical epic do you believe in coincidence. Ridley scott exodus ridley scott is one of the supreme stylists of contemporary cinema as such oftimitated and seminal works as blade runner, alien and thelma and louise make abundantly clear. From acclaimed director ridley scott gladiator, prometheus comes exodus. An international coproduction between the united states, the united kingdom, and spain, it was produced by peter chernin, jenno topping, michael schaefer, and mark huffam with music by alberto iglesias and written by adam cooper, bill collage, jeffrey caine, and steven zaillian. Aug 27, 20 ridley scott in exodus talks with ben kingsley, john turturro, sigourney weaver, aaron paul. For nearly a century, hollywood has been turning out cinematic adaptations of the biblical book of exodus. Nprs robert siegel asks robert alter, a professor of hebrew and. Discount prices on books by ridley scott, including titles like heroines of mercy street. Gods and kings 2014, an interpretation of the exodus of israelite slaves from egypt by moses, sparked controversy last month when it.
Gods and kings, over accusations of socalled whitewashing in the film. Ridley scotts atheistic biblical epic do you believe in coincidence. Nov 26, 2014 however, when director ridley scott mounted his own production of the moses story, titled exodus. There have been technicolor versions, animated versions and even a silent version. Ridley scott responds to the exodus casting controversy. He is the author of two books, have yourself a movie little. Gods and kings features moses, the pharaoh, hundreds of thousands of slaves making their way across the floor of the red sea, all ten. American or not, its a book that lives in your imagination, said joel edgerton himself a australian, who plays ramses in the new biblical. Gods and kings, the fox film that follows the story of moses christian bale and the israelites journey out of egypt. And his explanations as to why he chose to make his main characters of the exodus story set in egypt white while making the servants and thieves black didnt make me feel any better, either. And this december, ridley scott will unveil exodus. Ridley scott battles with the essence of the exodus the conversation. Gods and kings features moses, the pharaoh, hundreds of thousands of slaves making their way across the floor of the red sea, all ten plagues, the burning. After reinventing the swords and sandals genre with gladiator, he has delved.
Gods and kings is not the god of the bible, but exclusively the god of ridley scotts imagination. Exodus director ridley scott on brotherhood and the bible. There are slightly more than 20 films that bear scott s name as director. Gods and kings thinking that director ridley scott is going to give the. The story is one of the most timeless in western history, like the odyssey or. Exodus director ridley scott plans to make a biblical. Ridley scotts explanation for whitewashing his exodus. Jan 14, 2015 francesco alo ci parla di exodus, il kolossal biblico diretto da ridley scott con christian bale e joel edgerton, al cinema dal 15 gennaio. Christian bale and ridley scott talk religion and exodus. Dec 11, 2014 call this a victory of illusion over sense, but exodus. Witness his journey told in the book of exodus, and see exodus. Watch christian bale as moses in ridley scotts exodus. Gods and kings, the story of one mans daring courage to take on the might of an empire. Something feels wrong about slipping on 3d glasses to watch a bible saga but thats what moviegoers must do to experience the latest actionpacked epic from ridley scott blade runner, alien, american gangster.
Nov 29, 2014 its not even that good a story, moses grumbles early on in ridley scotts exodus. The story is one of the most timeless in western history, like the odyssey or shakespeare, only imbued with deeper spiritual significance, as jews, christians, and muslims all claim the hero as their own. Jan 08, 2015 ridley scotts 3d biblical epic exodus. Christian bale defends ridley scott over exodus whitewashing.