History's 'The Bible': What The Critics Are Saying

Will The Bible be as popular on screen as it has been throughout the centuries on paper?

Despite the sacred text's popularity -- some estimate that in 2005 Americans purchased 25 million Bibles -- not all book-to-movie adaptations translate well to audiences. But for all the negative reviews that have rolled in from television critics of the miniseries, History channel is anticipating record audiences.

So what did those critics actually have to say about the labor of love created by Mark Burnett and his wife, Touched By An Angel star Roma Downey?

The Hollywood Reporter's TV critic Allison Keene found the biggest conundrum of the miniseries to be its struggle to pinpoint an intended audience.

"The Bible never seems to figure out how to present itself. It spends a lot of time in the New Testament (at least, in the Gospels), which is already very well-worn territory on TV and in film. Sometimes it stays true to scripture, but then does things like adds angels with ninja skills to spice things up. That's one thing the Bible itself really doesn't need -- it's a complex and lyrical work full of prophesies and call-backs and a sense of being one, organic, intertwined story. Unfortunately, The Bible is fractious and overwrought. Others are sure to pick apart the deviations from the sacred text, but that's just the beginning of the miniseries' issues. In the end, this is the most well-known and popular book in the history of humanity for a reason -- it's exciting and interesting and full of hope. The Bible is unfortunately none of these."

more here: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/historys-bible-what-critics-are-425767