The Great Commandment (1939) DVD [Remastered Edition]

Description

All of Judea is groaning under Emperor Tiberius and the outrageous taxes that the merciless Roman tetrarch Herod and governor Pontius Pilate are subjecting them to. In a small village near Jerusalem, the fanatic Zealots study their scrolls and predict the coming of a King from the lineage of David, who will save the Jewish nation from the yoke of Roman oppression. However, when news comes from afar that Jesus, the son of a Nazarene carpenter, is being proclaimed the awaited Messiah, the Zealots ridicule the notion. "Can any good come out of Nazareth?" asks head scribe Lamech . The Zealots want a fighting leader, and none more so than young and headstrong Joel who also happens to love the beautiful Tamar and hopes to marry her. His father Lamech, however, has other plans and arranges a marriage between Tamar and Joel's brother Zadok . When the Roman centurion Longinus arrives in the village on the eve of the holy Sabbath to collect the tax, a few of the poorer one attempt to escape and are captured. A disillusioned Joel decides to go to seek the man Jesus and find out for himself if Israel has now got a king. Following her heart, Tamar wants to follow him - but Joel is thinking of greater issues than his own happiness now. He seeks the freedom of his nation. When he finds Jesus, however, he encounters a man preaching a message of peace that is incompatible with the philosophy of violence. Nevertheless, he finds himself drawn to and convinced by this miracle-working Jesus. With a totally new perspective and what constitutes freedom and victory, Joel returns to his village - in time for the wedding feast of Tamar with his brother. Here is the test of his new-found faith in the greatest commandment as taught by Jesus- "Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and all thy mind, and love thy neighbor as thyself....". Especially when his brother Zadok is killed by Longinus.EDITORIAL REVIEW: Israel is in uproar over the additional taxes that the Roman Emperor is afflicting the Jews with - none more so that the Zealots, expounders of the Holy Torah. They long for a king to rescue the nation from oppression, and at first the headstrong Joel is convinced that he has found him in Jesus, who is being proclaimed Messiah (Savior). At the cost of his own happiness with beautiful Tamar, he ventures forth to meet this holy man - but he encounters a Messiah of peace instead of war. Along with a dissenting disciple called Judas, Joel still believes that the Zealots can crown Jesus of Nazareth a conquering King. In this historical epic based on true Biblical incidents and characters, the viewer is confronted afresh with the seeming contradiction of the Prince of Peace. As the tale unfolds, almost all inner conflicts that we face in our search for real truth are tactfully - and sometimes brutally exposed. What is of greater value - spiritless theological dogma or the Kingdom of God? These and more questions are raised and answered in this timeless masterpiece by director Irving Pichel that will leave a lasting impression... and possibly a re-examination of all that we hold is true.

Customer Reviews:

An Important Movie Right Now.......2006-07-21

Given what is happeneing right now in the middle east I can't think of a more important film for people to watch. It explains how the early israelites had to fight for their freedom 2000 years ago. It's the same soft of fighting that is going on today and it really made me rethink what I thought about what was going on. The film is also well preserved and has some great action sequences in it.

A Strong Religious Film.......2006-05-03

I'm not usually a fan of religious films, but I thought that this one is much, much better than most. It's nowhere near as preachy as The Passion of the Christ and not a ridiculous spectacle like The Ten Comandments.

Instead it takes a general adventure theme and sets it in the time of Jesus. Of course the hero must choose between saving his own life and embracing the side of god and jesus.

You can probably guess what choice he makes, but the film is a fun ride from start to finish.

It's a good film if you want some religion in your film experience but don't want it shoved down your throat.

Thanks to A2ZCDS for releasing this wonderful gem of a movie.......2006-05-03

"I don't know what I expected when I sat down to watch The Great Commandment, but I don't think I will forget what it taught me. I found the film moving and very inspiring, and will not hesitate to recommend it to everyone who wants to know what real values are all about. Kudos to A2ZCDS for releasing this wonderful gem of a movie."

Casablanca - Limited Edition Collector's Set

Average customer rating:

THIS IS A COLLECTIBLE NOT JUST A MOVIE!
subtitles
Classic Collector's Item
Special Edition? Nothing Special
Please include list of special features

Casablanca - Limited Edition Collector's Set
Starring: Humphrey Bogart , Ingrid Bergman , Paul Henreid , Claude Rains , and Conrad Veidt
Director: Michael Curtiz
Manufacturer: Creative Design Art
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

World War II | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000050XXO
Release Date: 2000-10-25

Customer Reviews:

THIS IS A COLLECTIBLE NOT JUST A MOVIE!.......2007-06-01

The people who are upset about the fact that there are no special attributes to the movie itself are missing the point. This is a COLLECTIBLE SET which happens to include the movie. The bonuses are in the movie memorabilibia included with the set. If you want the movie buy the movie. If you are a true movie buff, get the collectible set.

subtitles.......2006-06-02

Dear Manager.
I know that this is not the appropriate place to talk about subtitles but amazon does not give any chance for foreign custumers ask questions. I would like to know if the films wich are being purchased have another languages subtitles, portuguese for instance. If not, I suggest that this technical information would be available. Would be helpfull.
Thanks.
Eduardo.

Classic Collector's Item.......2003-01-22

The DVD is still one of the best films ever made.

The extras are what make this box set so unusual. Original lobby cards are very rare and expensive to purchase so these provide a unique prospective. The black and white photographs offer a behind-the-scenes look into a historical film, the one-sheet movie poster is in the box (as well as a free offer for an additional rolled one!) and the Senitype contains a film clip from the movie. For me, it's like owning a true piece of Hollywood Glamour.

Special Edition? Nothing Special.......2003-01-11

I was also peeved by the lack of details about this "Collector's Set", so I went hunting.

Bottom line: Unles you want lobby cards, 8X10 stills, and a few other "collectables", save your money. The DVD itself in the "Collector's Set" appears to be identical to the DVD in the original release. Based on other vendors' sites, here's what you get for the extra money:

- Lobby Cards: 8 Original limited edition lobby card prints.
- Senitype: Exclusive limited edition senitype® image from movie with 35mm film frame.
- Theatrical Poster: Original one sheet movie poster (27 x 40 ).
- Exclusive Collection: 6 Original Limited Edition B & W Photograph Stills.

Information regarding the DVD in the "Collector's Set" is:
DVD CONTAINS:
- Digitally restored image and cleaned soundtrack.
- Theatrical trailers.
- YOU MUST REMEBER THIS, a 36-minute documentary newly updated with recently discovered, unseen outakes and screen tests.
- Special introduction by screen legend Lauren Bacall, wife of Humphrey Bogart.

I didn't see any new DVD features on any site.

This is one of the greatest films ever made, but the "extras" aren't worth the extra $... to me. I'll gladly take the original release, which should be in everyone's DVD library!!

Please include list of special features.......2002-11-26

This is a fantastic movie, but Amazon.com unusually does not list anything to distinguish this Limited Edition Collector's Set from a regular edition. I would like to assume that Special Features are included, given the edition title, but have no way of knowing. If this is an oversight I would be grateful if Amazon.com would remedy this.

Sharpe's Collector's Edition (Cedar Crate Box)

Average customer rating:

We liked it - again and again
Sharpe
Much, much cheaper in region 2
Wonderful Series!
Through Flanders, Portugal, and Spain

Sharpe's Collector's Edition (Cedar Crate Box)
Starring: Sean Bean , Daragh O'Malley , Hugh Fraser , Hugh Ross , and John Tams
Director: Tom Clegg
Manufacturer: Bfs Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Action & Adventure | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000065KTL
Release Date: 2003-05-12

Customer Reviews:

We liked it - again and again.......2005-05-06

We rented two "Sharpe's" from Netflix and then bought the series. Sharpe is a complex character well done by Sean Bean. Actually we found all the characters from Patrick to Harris to be convincing and Jane so good we hated her. I read most of the books after seeing the film and while it may not be line-by-line true to the book or to history for that matter, it was good entertainment. That's all we ask from fiction.

Sharpe.......2004-12-23

Please note that, regardless of popular opinion, Sharpe is not and never was a BBC production....

Much, much cheaper in region 2.......2004-12-20

For those of you with region-free DVD players (and to the rest of you what in the world are you waiting for) the complete Sharpe series is available on DVD at amazon's UK site for under $100.

Really, that's a saving of almost $200 and the Region 2 DVDs of course are in the technically superior PAL format. So pick up a region free DVD player and the complete Sharpe series on Region 2 DVD and you'll still be spending less than on this one USA set. Plus, the Sharpe DVDs are readily available to ship in less than 24 hours from Amazon UK.

These series of movies are amazing. I started watching them on ITV in the UK (correction to previous review: this was NOT a BBC production) and then on A&E here in the US. The production values are great, the stories/plots exciting and the acting compelling.

UPDATE: The price on Amazon UK has been increased. The new price (2/21/05) is $129. Still a great deal cheaper than for the US Region 1 release..

Wonderful Series!.......2004-07-06

I haven't read the series yet, but being very fond of historical dramas involving period-wear, uniforms, and swordsmanship, I gave this a try. My curiosity was originally piqued by the mentions of Sharpe surrounding Sean's character in Lord of the Rings. So after discovering it was a completely me series to watch, I went hunting for the dvds. Even Ebay was selling them for around $200 a pop, so I went the smart route and went through amazon.uk, where you'll save about $150 if you have a multi-region dvd player as they are Region 2. I was NOT disappointed.

Sharpe may be a low budget series by some accounts, but it delights regardless. In fact, that very aspect lends a particular earthiness and a more authentic feel to the series. The stories are good and the historical aspects wonderful. The folk songs of John Tam were particularly delightful and I fully plan on getting the soundtrack. I came to love all the Chosen Men and wanted to fight for them when snobbery or betrayal reared their ugly heads. Harper is both reliable sidekick and comic relief with his wit and good Irish sensibility. Sean Bean IS Sharpe, he truly makes you believe in the rough'n'ready soldier, capable of doing what needs to be done, yet completely honorable, often showing he is a better man than those considered his 'betters'.

It will truly be wonderful to now go find the novels and hear in my head Sean's rich voice as Sharpe, the lovely brogue of Sgt. Harper, and the myriad of other accents involved. I would definitely recommend this series if you enjoy period-piece dramas, military/historical dramas, or just a helluva good time with action, adventure, and a dash of romance.

Through Flanders, Portugal, and Spain.......2004-06-03

Expensive? Sure. But if you're not impatient, you'll find a good price. Is the wooden crate important? No, of course not. But you'll probably love it even if it doesn't fit on your DVD shelf.

Price and production values are not what Shape's about. There are heroes and terrible villians, high lords and lowlifes, horseguard and rifemen, buffoons and ballads. It's about the stories! Wonderful stories you'll enjoy seeing again and again. Follow Sharp's climb through the ranks, through dangerous, impossible missions, and you'll end up caring about every ragtag rifleman in his company, even Isaih Tongue. And every time you hear these lyrics, you'll be so glad you bought it:

Ore the Fields, and Ore the Maine
Thru Flanders Portugal, and Spain,
King George commands, and we obey.
Over the hills and far away

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