Hollywood portrayals of the Bible focus of upcoming Bennett Center lecture
The Bible’s grand heroes, like Moses and David, and its spectacular events--most notably, the Flood to the Exodus--have been brought to the silver screen in remarkable films.
On Wednesday, December 3, at 7:30 p.m., the University welcomes scholar Adele Reinhartz, PhD, who will explore this subject by focusing on two films: the iconic 1956 version of “The Ten Commandments,” directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starring Charleton Heston, and the 2014 film '“Noah,” directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Russell Crowe.
“In their historical context, these heroes and events took place long before the time of Jesus, and yet in the hands of Hollywood filmmakers, they often turn into Jesus-like figures whose life stories mirror the Gospel accounts in important ways,” said Dr. Reinhartz, professor of classics and religious studies at the University of Ottawa. In her talk, she will track this transformation in the two films.
Free and open to the public, the talk, “Whose Heroes? Hollywood Portrayals of the Bible,” will take place in the Dolan School of Business Dining Room. To reserve a seat, call the Carl and Dorothy Bennett Center for Judaic Studies, at ext. 2066.
Extensively published, Dr. Reinhartz is the author of numerous articles and books, including “Scripture on the Silver Screen” (Westminster John Knox, 2003); “Jesus of Hollywood” (Oxford, 2007); and “Bible and Cinema: An Introduction” (Routledge, 2013). She is the general editor of the Journal of Biblical Literature.
Image: Dr. Adele Reinhartz, the author of “Bible and Cinema: An Introduction,” will be speaking at the University on December 3 about such films as "The Ten Commandments," starring Charlton Heston.
