• Bible Films Blog

    Looking at film interpretations of the stories in the Bible - past, present and future, as well as preparation for a future work on Straub/Huillet's Moses und Aron and a few bits and pieces on biblical studies.


    Name:
    Matt Page

    Location:
    U.K.












    Thursday, July 05, 2007

    St Peter (2005) DVD release (Starring Omar Sharif)

    Omar Sharif starred in two of last year's Bible Films - the cinematically released and the TV series and I've just caught wind of a third Sharif Bible film released in March of this year (although produced in 2005). St. Peter is another Bible film from the seemingly inexhaustible Lux Vide (who brought us The Bible Collection) and stars Sharif in the lead role. Here's the blurb from the press release:
    As a dedicated follower of Christ, Peter spreads the message of the Christians across the land, often staying only a few steps ahead of those determined to persecute him. As tensions between the Christians and Romans grow, the apostles lose St. Paul to crucifixion. On the road to Damascus, Peter comes face to face with a stranger, who shows him that he must put himself on the cross, for only martyrdom can bring peace to Rome.
    Back in 2005, there was a report in The Guardian about this film. Sharif's comments had apparently led an al-Qaida linked website to advise its readers to kill him. Sharif converted to Islam in the 50s, but said playing Peter was "so important for me that even now I can only speak about it with difficulty. It will be difficult for me to play other roles from now on". He also claimed "to hear voices" during filming.

    Peter Chattaway has just reviewed the film for BC Christian News. It appears it's a mix of Acts of the Apostles and Quo Vadis? and whilst he finds Sharif as the 30 year old Peter unconvincing he does praise "the sensitivity of his performance".

    It'll be interesting to compare this film with St. Paul (known as Paul the Apostle in the US) which I made a few brief comments about in my post on Galatians vs Acts in Film.

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    14 Comments:

    • At 10:27 pm, November 12, 2008, Anonymous Anonymous said…

      I just loved the movie. Peter was masterfully portraid by Shariff. Jesus was probably very happy.

       
    • At 9:05 am, November 13, 2008, Blogger Matt Page said…

      Thanks for your comments - I plan to review this shortly.

      Matt

       
    • At 11:41 am, March 16, 2009, Anonymous Anonymous said…

      i really love this movie it is such a beautiful movie it has reignited my faith

       
    • At 2:42 pm, March 16, 2009, Blogger Matt Page said…

      Glad to here it Tom

       
    • At 12:59 am, May 28, 2009, Anonymous Anonymous said…

      thank u omar to give us this brilliant gift really it's agood gift from agood and respecable person i have ever love

       
    • At 1:02 pm, February 13, 2010, Anonymous Anonymous said…

      perfekt
      nether life nor death will seperate us from our love in the christ the Lord

       
    • At 6:38 pm, October 17, 2010, Anonymous Anonymous said…

      ...I don't know what you guys were thinking...but everything sbout this movie was horrible except for Omar Sharif. The people. Their dialouge. The cinematography. It. Was. Bad. They needed better people to work with this. The message couldn't even have been highlighted property because of how bad it was. Just saying. f you haven't seen this movie- don't bother. Find another movie.

       
    • At 5:37 pm, November 02, 2010, Blogger Matt Page said…

      I've still not reviewed it yet so thanks for offering an alternative opinion Anonymous.

      Matt

       
    • At 9:10 pm, April 23, 2011, Anonymous Ranya said…

      I have just seen the movie. The movie is great and Omar's performance is outstanding. As a christian I'm really proud of him, this is a proof that once born a christian will always be a christian. Omar my whole family is proud of you, you made us cry the whole time, thanks for you our faith has become stronger. I've never understood why Peter was the rock that Jesus chose to build his church on, now i know.

       
    • At 5:55 pm, April 26, 2011, Blogger Matt Page said…

      Thanks for that Ranya

      Matt

       
    • At 12:36 am, April 14, 2012, Anonymous Anonymous said…

      Will you please post a full review of this movie? It seems you promised it four years ago, but I can't find anything on the website. I would love to hear your thoughts.

       
    • At 4:25 am, September 05, 2013, Anonymous Walt said…

      I'm pleased to report I, just a moment ago, finished watching the first half of this very fine film. The second half will be aired next week. Omar's performance was magnificent. I was in tears several times during this film no doubt prompted by the actor's sincerity, talent and command of the , nearly uncommandable, character of Peter. This film is an excellent tool of evangelization and is a must see for all people of faith.

       
    • At 8:14 am, August 03, 2014, Blogger Unknown said…

      I am so delighted with this movie, it was not easy to find, but I found it, watched it first in dubbed Spanish and then found it in English. So terrific, the acting is phenomenal, and St Matthew is the same guy tat played Judas in "The Passion" by Mel Gibson!!!!!!

       
    • At 4:42 pm, July 10, 2015, Blogger Unknown said…

      Oh my, i can only relate to Ranya's comment. It made me cry and did justice to the real Peter too

       

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