- Content: “The Book of Exodus Meets THE OFFICE”
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What You Need To Know:
The first three episodes of THE PROMISED LAND have high production values, which include location scouting, cinematography, costume design, and the mockumentary style. The series demonstrates a very strong Biblical and moral worldview with the writer and director of the episodes, Mitch Hudson, staying faithful and respectful to the source material and its players in God’s story while incorporating the more light-hearted side of the divine text without devolving into blasphemy or parody. Still, because of some mild language and brief mild sexual references, MOVIEGUIDE® recommends media-wisdom to discuss for some minor questionable elements.
Content:
A very strong Biblical and moral worldview that stays true and respectful to the source material and its players in God’s story while incorporating the more light-hearted side of the divine text without devolving into blasphemy or parody. Characters reference God, say Shalom, and practice Jewish tradition. People encourage each other to do God’s will and bad behavior gets rebuked. One mention of a character being a political revolutionary;
One mention of idiot, stupid idiot, stupid, dumb, stiff-necked wicked people;
Moments of off-screen violence, mention that it’s bloody, threats of violence, a man flings another away, a man pushes another and a man kicks another. Men petty fight and wrestle, men push a man around. Pouring of blood on stone for sacrifice and a cow gets killed off-screen. A man destroys a couple of stone tablets and a pagan idol;
None. Mention of uncircumcision, mention of no sex, mention of a woman’s time of bleeding, mention of laying with wives. Woman says it is a shame that they have to get consecrated tonight and hugs a man, but nothing happens;
None. A man shows bare legs, and the camera is angled to see under his garments, but nothing is shown. A woman shows bare legs, but it is not provocative;
No alcohol use;
None; and,
A mention of a woman considered as property, but this is rebuked. People say Aaron is better than Moses in every way. A man steals from another, but an accomplice to the theft returns it and apologizes. Sexist comments toward women, but this gets rebuked. People worship a pagan idol, but it is rebuked.
More Detail:
The first three episodes of THE PROMISED LAND have high production values, which include location scouting, cinematography, costume design, and the mockumentary style. The series features beautiful cinematography, with a range of dynamic shots, including wide shots, close-ups, and pans. One shot stands out when the camera reveals what Joshua has tied to a rope he holds.
The production team did an exquisite job with the costumes, from the colors to the patterns. Any viewer can tell that the filmmakers put time and effort into ensuring that the clothing worn has an authentic look of Biblical times. The TV show’s main attraction lies in its mockumentary and interview format. The comedic timing that this style brings helps the show stand out from other biblical adaptations, such as THE CHOSEN.
The show showcases the dramatic and comedic chops of different actors. Wasim No’mani and Brad Culver, who play Moses and Korah, respectively, switch gears from playing two members of the Sanhedrin in THE CHOSEN and play against type as two more likable characters. Sheeren Khan plays Miriam as someone who strongly dislikes people, and she and Tryphena Wade, who plays Zipporah, have beautiful chemistry that works like magic, because they have opposing personalities.
Wade portrays Zipporah with excellence as Moses’s energetic wife. Finally, Majed Sayess delivers the goods as Aaron, who, unlike Moses, wants to please people and crack jokes to a fault, but also has extraordinary public speaking skills. Even though THE PROMISED LAND has much comedy, the show takes itself seriously when the dramatic moments happen.
This series demonstrates a very strong Biblical and moral worldview with the writer and director of the episodes, Mitch Hudson, staying faithful and respectful to the source material and its players in God’s story while incorporating the more light-hearted side of the divine text without devolving into blasphemy or parody.
It helps that Hudson comes fresh off his assistant directing experience in THE CHOSEN. Characters reference God, say “Shalom,” and practice Jewish traditions. People encourage one another to do God’s will and rebuke those who engage in bad behavior. Still, because of some mild language and brief mild sexual references, MOVIEGUIDE® recommends media-wisdom to discuss for some minor questionable elements.
In the first episode, “Pilot”, Aaron speaks to the interviewer about a battle between the Israelites and one of their enemies. God tasks Moses with lifting his staff above his head to guarantee the Israelites’ victory. Aaron and another Israelite help Moses. Later, Moses welcomes his father-in-law Jethro to the Israelite campsite. At the same time, Zipporah meets Miriam and Aaron for the first time, and Miriam immediately cannot stand her upbeat personality.
In the second episode, “Sinai”, Moses elects chiefs to be in charge of different groups. A man named Korah hopes to get the best men, but he’s in for a rude awakening. Meanwhile, Miriam and Zipporah recruit women to present their concerns so that they can have their voices heard. Moses instructs Joshua to guard Mount Sinai: a job he takes very seriously.
In the third episode, “Pitfalls”, Moses tells the people of Israel that God has commanded them not to make any idols. Moses and Joshua go up the mountain and leave Aaron in charge. Miriam and Zipporah request that a tent be built for the Israelite women, but come into conflict with Korah, who has a different idea of how to approach the project.
