Deeanne Gist - www.deeannegist.com - Inspirational Romance Author

Monday, October 30, 2006

One Night With the King

Greg and I went to see One Night With the King on Friday night. I loved it! It is the story of Esther (a young Jewish girl who becomes the queen of Persia). Though Hollywood certainly puts their spin on it, I found it captured the highlights of the story. It is based on Tommy Tenney and Mark Andrew Olsen's book, Hadassah (which is a Bethany House book!). It has Peter O'Toole and Omar Sharif in it and John Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings) plays Esther's uncle.

If you haven't seen it, I encourage you to go. This is one of the ways that we as Christians can impact what comes out of Hollywood. If we go out in record numbers and support these films, then we can ensure that more will be forthcoming.

So, treat yourself to a night out. You'll not be sorry!

posted by Deeanne at 5:10 PM

5 Comments:

Barb said...: That throne room is pretty ominous looking! I just looked it up and it happens to be playing in our area. Hmmm....
Jenster said...: Did you read the book? I've had it on my "list of books to read", but haven't done so yet. I was just wondering how the movie did as compared to the book.

Not that it matters. I'd like to see it anyway. Would you consider it appropriate for children (like a 12-year-old girl, perhaps?)

Jen
Deeanne said...: I haven't read the novel--though I have read the Book of Esther. ;-) After seeing the movie, I would like to read the novel, too.

There is nothing inappropriate in the movie that I can recall (as far as 12 year old girls go), but it is a political intrigue film. So, I'm not sure how entertaining the film would be for a younster--though she'll definitely catch on to the romance aspect of it and the rags to riches theme.

Maybe y'all could read the Book of Esther together, Jen, and prep her for what is going on politically and give her some background on Persia and Babylon and all that. You could also familiarize her with the main protagonists and antagonists that way. When we went there was a whole group of young girls (11 to 12 years old, I'd say). Looked like a birthday party or something.

If y'all go, let us know what you thought.
Katybug said...: I have done both...saw the movie the day it came out. I thought it was fabulous and kept pretty close the the original story. Very very well made movie. It opened in the top 10 (a solid #9) as far as ticket sales went, which is REEEEEALLY GOOD for a movie that hasn't been advertised!!! As far as kids going to see it, I think 12 is about as young as I would go. I agree Dee, the romance in the movie is wonderful--THICK WITH IT!!! But I don't think I would call it a "chick flick". ;-) If anyone wants to see the trailer, go to www.foxfaithmovies.com. You will be able to see other films they have coming soon too.

I finished the book last night, and it was excellent as well. There are some differences between the book and the movie. Basically the book is much more graphic than the movie and keeps even closer to the Scriptural account of Esther. One thing from the book that I wish had been in the movie is that Xerxes kept the wedding/coronation a secret from Esther! Also, Xerxes is a much stronger character in the book than the movie. Esther's entrance into the throne room is much different than what the movie portrays as well. I thought the book started out slowly and took a bit to get going, but that might be because I knew what was coming and couldn't wait to get to the exciting stuff. All in all, well worth the read!!! But he doesn't write love scenes like Dee!!! :-)
Jenster said...: She already had a pretty good grasp of the book of Esther. I used to create plays for VBS when we lived in Arkansas and I did the book of Esther one year. That in itself has made me very curious about this book/movie.

As an aside - my parents have some good friends who are Jewish. Every year the woman would make hamentaschen - or "Hamen's Hats" for Purim. Now we do it as a yummy culinary aid. lol

Jen