TV Review: The Chosen
TV Review: The Chosen
19 June 2021
Watching a film about the life of Christ is a great idea, but after years of seeing European actors give a less-than-nuanced shot at telling the story of Jesus’ time on Earth, I was ready to throw the towel in.
That was until I watched The Chosen, the first multi-season show about Christ of its kind. Because not only does this revolutionary TV series take the time to tell the cultural, societal and religious backstory of ancient Israel, but it gives us an insight into the beauty and power of Jesus and his followers.
The Chosen TV series has been crowdfunded by 19,000 people worldwide and began after filmmaker Dallas Jenkins created a Nativity-based short film for his church. The video gained so much traction online that it became clear people were thirsty for high-quality, authentic storytelling about the life of Christ.
So, instead of just wrapping the Gospels into a 90-minute movie, Jenkins and his growing team decided to raise $10 million to film one season, to chronicle the life of Christ and the early Church over seven seasons. And it worked – because season one became the highest-ever crowdfunded movie or TV series and has been translated into 50 languages.
In season one, we are introduced to Mary Magdalene, Mary (mother of Jesus), James, John, Matthew, Thomas and the ever-passionate (yet somehow still endearing) Peter and Simon.
Christ – a brilliantly warm and all-encompassing Jonathan Roumie – is the link between these diverse characters, and we see how they are each called to follow Jesus and what they must give up to do so.
Come season two, and we see the ministry of Jesus take shape. As his disciples grow and his miracles become widespread, so does his awareness that he is journeying towards death. And amidst all this, we witness the disciples proverbially wrestling with the concept of an authoritarian Messiah who will violently overthrow the Roman rule and the gracious, patient Jesus they live with.
The Chosen is truly heart-warming and spirit-provoking. I have found myself resonating with the humanity and insufficiency of the disciples and grieving with Jesus as he wears himself thin after ministering to people all day. This is by far the best iteration of Christ’s story I have seen portrayed on film – although it should be noted I avoided the realistic portrayal of violence in The Passion. It is yet to be seen how these filmmakers will handle the crucifixion and resurrection – but you can’t help but trust this cast with the tremendous responsibility.
The Chosen is available to stream free online and is also available for free on The Chosen App for phones and tablets (available here). DVD sets of The Chosen are available here.
Comments
I have been an unabashed fan of "The Chosen', contributed money and promoted the Series. NO MORE! The last episode of Season Two is Disgusting!
Fliers, Hyped promotions and other advertising ploys did not exist 2000 years ago. Dallas and the other Producers have have bastardized one of the most beloved, profound and important messages in the history of mankind. The "Sermon on the Mount" was reduced to a modern, ordinary concert. Shame on you. Shame on you. You managed to ruin a wonderful series.