The Apocalypse (2004)

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

The story-telling is good with flashbacks.The film is both funny and heartbreaking. You smile in a scene and get a soulcrushing revelation in the next.

Movie takes a very Catholic view of John of Patmos, in that he is portrayed as the Apostle who witnessed the Crucifixion, when in fact no such hard link has ever been presented...most scholars place the writing of Revelation around 85-90 AD, almost sixty years after the crucifixion. While possible, John would have been close to 100 years old at the time of the writings...having said that, this version of the film must have been edited, because it shows scenes from 9/11 and the attack on the Twin Towers, or at least in the version I watched...which would be a mean trick, as that attack occurred two years after this movie was filmed...minor point, and there may be a number of releases...a solid telling of one of the most moving Bible stories, and one of the most vivid as well. Told, or rather shown, in a fashion that makes sense and semblance of a very cryptic writing...well done...a fitting work to end a brilliant career...

RELEASED TO TV IN 2000 and directed by Raffaele Mertes, "The Apocalypse" chronicles events during the reign of Roman Emperor Domitian (Bruce Payne) circa 90 AD when the elderly apostle John (Richard Harris) is imprisoned on the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea (off the coast of modern day Turkey). John experiences strange visions, as detailed in the book of Revelation. Christian Kohlund plays a formidable Roman commander ordered to kill Christians in Asia Minor while Vittoria Belvedere plays a devout believer in love with a duplicitous man who is sent to the penal colony on Patmos as a Roman spy (Benjamin Sadler).Any film that attempts to tackle the biblical book of Revelation is ambitious, to say the least, and "The Apocalypse" should be respected for this, particularly since it's a surprisingly quality period movie, which doesn't forget to be entertaining while conveying worthy mind/spirit food. Being made in 1999 and limited by a TV budget, I was expecting lousy sets, costuming, locations and, especially, bad CGI effects. But, thankfully, the movie delivers in all these areas. The F/X hold up surprisingly well, all things considered, and they helped me better visualize John's visions in Revelation, which heretofore I had only 'seen' in my mind. Speaking of which, to appreciate this movie it helps to be a little familiar with the book of Revelation, otherwise you might be lost, especially since the movie's plot is a tad convoluted.Interestingly, in one of his apocalyptic visions John sees the twin towers of the World Trade Center burning, which of course came to pass in real life a mere year after the film's initial release! THE MOVIE RUNS 96 minutes and was shot (at least in part) in Morocco (I can't find any other info on the locations). WRITER: Francesco Contaldo.GRADE: B

I really enjoyed this film. The only problem was the lack of the whole story of Revelation. They also added in extra characters, including a romance. Which really was not necessary. There were some really great parts such as depictions of the prophecies which were really beautiful and moving. But they did not put John in a cave writing any of the prophecies. A prison it seemed...but no cave. They have him on Patmos treated as some sort of prestige person for a while, including making him sign things in an office of some sort?? (No idea what he was doing there..looked like he booked in visitors to the island?) Then he helps a man, gets kicked and thrown into prison. He does not do any labour in the film and wears the best clothes. Even though an old man was treated bad until death. Found that would confuse people. I admit I have not read Revelation completely but it seemed odd. A cave does feature at the end of the film, but he has a vision and does not write it down. It was more like an arch than cave. As no one could really hide in that. It had some good parts but surely could've been more biblical and left out all the extra nonsense.

The Apocalypse is the story of John the Apostle comes alive on the TV screen as never before.It features Richard Harris takes the role of the biblical figure together with Vittoria Belvedere, Benjamin Sadler, Christian Kohlund and Erol Sander.It was directed by filmmaker Raffaele Mertes. In 90 A.D., the Roman emperor launches a fierce campaign against the Christians, and John is being held captive for his efforts to spread the gospel. When a young Christian named Irene arrives with hopes of visiting the last surviving witness of the Lord's passion, John entrusts her with a written record of his divine visions that will eventually form the Book of Revelations. This is an excellent TV movie about John the Apostle and it gives the viewer more insight about the Book Of Revelations.Also,Harris' portrayal is worth noting considering that it happens to be his last film before he passed away.Overall,it a recommended and worth watching.