Several Bible-related TV films were made over the years, some by noted directors: for last year's Easter schedule, in fact, I had included Ermanno Olmi's GENESIS: THE CREATION AND THE FLOOD (1994) and Nicolas Roeg's SAMSON AND DELILAH (1996); incidentally, at the time, I also caught Joseph AND HIS BRETHREN (1960) – which, of course, tells of the same events (or, at least, the second half of it) as the film under review. This is pretty much straightforward stuff, not particularly inspired but certainly decent; as for myself, I vaguely recalled some of the passages depicted from Catechism classes I attended in my childhood – such as when Isaac's second-born, clean-shaven shepherd Jacob, dresses up in the hirsute guise of his sibling, the hunter Esau, in order that their dying father bless and relinquish the legacy of God's chosen people upon him instead (while the elder son is away expressly to prove his mettle required for this great task!). Jacob then goes into exile and starts his proverbial tribe – bearing 12 sons from 4 different women (2 sisters, who are also his own cousins, and their respective servant-girls!). I enjoyed the first part slightly more than the second – where we also got the services of a respectable cast (Harry Andrews as Isaac, Colleen Dewhurst as his wife, Keith Michell as Jacob, Julian Glover as Esau and Herschel Bernardi as the wily uncle). The latter stages – with Michell stepping into the background so as to allow Tony LoBianco as the favorite among his sons, the wise-man Joseph, to take center-stage – tread more familiar ground but remain watchable, despite the inherent low-budget and flat look associated with made-for-TV productions. Joseph is thrown into a well by his jealous brothers and sold to a band of wandering traders bound for Egypt, unaccountably rises to a position of Pharaoh's adviser and to where the Hebrews eventually assemble, until the advent of Moses. Here, too, one particular episode rang a bell – when LoBianco rejects the attentions of the slave-master's wife, thus incurring her wrath (in this respect, both she and the actress playing Jacob's preferred wife Rachel are quite attractive and, being foreigners, lend the proceedings the requisite exotic touch). For the record, this is the third film I have watched from director Cacoyannis: the others, while superior, were also closer to his own background – namely, ELECTRA (1962) and ZORBA THE Greek (1964).

This is one of the best Bible story movies I've seen. It captured my interest throughout. The story is dramatic and powerfully portrayed. Costumes and acting are very good. Even the locations seemed authentic. Sensitive situations were handled tastefully, but realistically and well dramatized. I loved Coleen Dewherst's portrayal of Rachel and the characters of Rebecca, Leah and Laban were excellent. Laban was such a scoundrel, wasn't he? The drama of Joseph's life was very authentic.I hope I can find a copy for our library. Note that this is not a G rated story. I would give this movie a PG rating. Use wisdom. This is not a movie for children who don't understand adult situations.

One of the finest Bible story adaptations ever made, this little- remembered movie tells the story of the last half of Genesis (it could almost be a companion piece to Huston's "The Bible") in two parts: Part One depicts the rivalry of Esau and Jacob--how Jacob cheated his brother Esau, fled to Haran and was himself cheated into marrying a woman he didn't love. Eventually Jacob has twelve sons by four women. In Part Two the sons have grown up. Ten of them are jealous of Joseph (whose "technicolor dream coat" here is rather ordinary) and sell him into slavery. In Egypt Joseph rises out of slavery by his wit and divine interpretation of dreams. During a famine he brings about reconciliation with his brothers."Jacob and Joseph" is top-notch. The acting is much better than the typical Bible film. The characters speak and act like real people, not cardboard cutouts. The writing tells the stories faithfully, without unnecessary additions, yet in a refreshing way that even after over three decades is enjoyable to watch. A must-see and must-keep.