The Book of Daniel (2013)

Please don't spend money on this.

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Blistering performances.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

If it wasn't for Rolf Saxon, i wouldn't have gotten the DVD for it. I'm not a biblical enthusiast or even knowledgeable about Daniel and his story as a prophet. The cast is first rate with Rolf Saxon as King Nebud; Lance Hendricksen as Cyrus; Leo Gallagher as the astrologer and other actors. The film was directed by a woman, rare these days. She seems knowledgeable about her subject and the film. First, there is a lot of dialogue on par with a Shakespearean drama. If you're not into biblical movies, you may not appreciate it as much. I enjoyed the features especially the bloopers and behind the scenes as well.

"The Book of Daniel" surprised me. This movie has been in my Netflix cue for months. I kept passing it by suspecting it would be boring, like many other "religious movies". I love most of the popular movies; but, this is a non-blockbuster that I think is really good! Why? Maybe because it is faithful to its source -- The Book of Daniel.I got new appreciation of those fantastical stories: "Daniel in the Lions' Den", "The Fiery Furnace", and "The Handwriting on the Wall". More importantly, I got new insight to the Babylonian Captivity, Babylon's Kings and the person himself: Daniel.Again, this is not a "Hollywood Epic". Even though it's a low budget, modest presentation, it really works. I was engaged from its opening scene with a sword to the throat of Daniel, to its final scene which left "this Daniel" with a lump in his throat. (Know what I mean?)

I went looking for a dramatic treatment of Daniel, and this gem awaited me. They clearly did not have an unlimited budget, but the film is no less impacting.The movie benefits from being true to the scriptures. Of course, creative liberties were taken, but they do not detract from the integrity of the story.The quality of the acting varies a bit. The two most important characters - Daniel young and old - are very good. The actors playing the various kings get the job done.Most pleasing of all is the spiritual depth. One can get the plot right yet still not convey the underlying spiritual truths. That is not the case here. We see the kings in their process of discovering that the God of the Hebrews is the true and living God, and one after another comes to worship Him. We see not only Daniel's wisdom and spiritual giftedness on display, but his integrity of character as well. All who are faithful will find themselves in a "lion's den" of one sort or another, when our faith is really put to the test. And that particular scene here was very memorable, calling to mind Briton Riviere's amazing oil panting of the event.This is the kind of movie you can watch many times, for it is more than mere entertainment, it is food for the soul. Everyone connected with the movie should enjoy rich satisfaction for a job well done indeed.

Ignore the negative reviews. This is very accurate and a true account of the book of Daniel. It has not been ruined by terrible cgi or acting. It is well made and focusing on the facts and the prophecies. HIGHLY Recommended. It has no unnecessary special effects, no added. Acting is good, with some famous actors. content and no over the top scenes. If you want the real story, watch this film. It even has bishops from aliens playing Cyrus! Props are well made and accurate too as are costumes. Feels like a documentary and film in one. It covers Daniels whole life span. It was really good how the prophecies were told too, especially the one about the statue with a head of gold (babylon), shoulders of silver (medes and Persians), chest of bronze (greece), legs of iron (roman) and feet of iron and clay (today). Watch it.