Manchester University Press
2 Depicting ‘biblical’ narratives
Abstract
This chapter explores two recent Bible epics based on ancient narratives concerning Noah and a Flood: the BBC’s The Ark and Darren Aronofsky’s Noah. The chapter explores the underlying ANE-textual background to each production, including comments made by the respective directors. Making use of narrative theory and exegesis, the chapter explores the role of biblical and extra-biblical material in the development of both the characterisation and plot of each production. The paper will then explore the deployment of such texts in the overall theological freight of the production, both explicit and implicit – what does each production say about God/the divine and how much is this dependent on the use of biblical materials or dramatic/poetic licence. The chapter concludes with some reflection on the minor role which biblical literacy plays within cultural depictions of biblical traditions.
Abstract
This chapter explores two recent Bible epics based on ancient narratives concerning Noah and a Flood: the BBC’s The Ark and Darren Aronofsky’s Noah. The chapter explores the underlying ANE-textual background to each production, including comments made by the respective directors. Making use of narrative theory and exegesis, the chapter explores the role of biblical and extra-biblical material in the development of both the characterisation and plot of each production. The paper will then explore the deployment of such texts in the overall theological freight of the production, both explicit and implicit – what does each production say about God/the divine and how much is this dependent on the use of biblical materials or dramatic/poetic licence. The chapter concludes with some reflection on the minor role which biblical literacy plays within cultural depictions of biblical traditions.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- List of figures ix
- List of contributors xi
- Preface by Adele Reinhartz xv
- Acknowledgements xix
- Introduction 1
- 1 Battles over the biblical epic 23
- 2 Depicting ‘biblical’ narratives 36
- 3 Special effects and CGI in the biblical epic fi lm 50
- 4 The phenomenon of biblical telenovelas in Brazil and Latin America 68
-
Part II Modern narratives and contexts in adapting the Bible
- 5 Mythic cinema and the contemporary biblical epic 87
- 6 The Nativity reborn 102
- 7 Convince me 122
- 8 Controversy and the ‘Culture War’ 143
- 9 ‘Can anything good come out of Southern California?’* (*hyperlink to John 1:46) 161
- 10 Examining the digital religion paradigm 174
- 11 The devil and the Culture Wars 193
- 12 Ben-Her(?) 214
- 13 The biblical-trial film 230
- 14 ‘Squint against the grandeur’ 247
- Filmography 265
- Index 270
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- List of figures ix
- List of contributors xi
- Preface by Adele Reinhartz xv
- Acknowledgements xix
- Introduction 1
- 1 Battles over the biblical epic 23
- 2 Depicting ‘biblical’ narratives 36
- 3 Special effects and CGI in the biblical epic fi lm 50
- 4 The phenomenon of biblical telenovelas in Brazil and Latin America 68
-
Part II Modern narratives and contexts in adapting the Bible
- 5 Mythic cinema and the contemporary biblical epic 87
- 6 The Nativity reborn 102
- 7 Convince me 122
- 8 Controversy and the ‘Culture War’ 143
- 9 ‘Can anything good come out of Southern California?’* (*hyperlink to John 1:46) 161
- 10 Examining the digital religion paradigm 174
- 11 The devil and the Culture Wars 193
- 12 Ben-Her(?) 214
- 13 The biblical-trial film 230
- 14 ‘Squint against the grandeur’ 247
- Filmography 265
- Index 270
