Joseph: Beloved Son, Rejected Slave, Exalted Ruler is a 2015 American direct-to-video animated biblical drama film. It is an adaptation of the story of Joseph from the Book of Genesis in the Bible. Joseph's story is told in the context of God's plan for Israel and the promised arrival of the Messiah.[1] The film uses artistic license to fill in gaps with imagined though plausible conversations during the various events in the movie.[1]
| Joseph: Beloved Son, Rejected Slave, Exalted Ruler | |
|---|---|
 DVD poster | |
| Directed by | Robert Fernandez |
| Written by | Robert Fernandez |
| Based on | Book of Genesis |
| Produced by | Chris Jung Robert Fernandez |
| Starring | Chris Jung Robert Magruder Mike McFarland |
| Edited by | Chris Jung |
| Music by | Michael Creswell Dooley |
Production company | Herald Entertainment |
| Distributed by | Vision Video |
Release date |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The films tells the story of Joseph and his journey from being a dreamer to being a slave in Egypt and, according to God's plan, to becoming a powerful ruler in Egypt and the savior of his people, the Israelites. After many years in prison, his faith and his gift for interpreting dreams lead him to a grand position in the kingdom of Egypt.[2] The film features both traditional animation and computer-generated imagery.
Plot
editAs a young man, Joseph is a dreamer who is favored by his father Jacob and resented by his older brothers. After Joseph recounts his dream to them, in which he saw them bowing before him, they become furious and sell him into slavery, and convince their father that Joseph was killed by wolves. Whilst captive in Egypt, Joseph becomes a trusted servant of Potiphar, but later experiences humiliation and imprisonment after Potiphar's wife falsely claims that he raped her. Years later, whilst Joseph is in prison, Pharaoh becomes pestered by nightmares which none of his advisors can interpret. Joseph interprets the Pharaoh's dreams and suggests that one fifth of each year's harvest should be stored for rationing. Impressed, the Pharaoh makes Joseph his minister and second-in-command, under the name "Zaphnath-Paaneah".[1]
A few years pass, Joseph marries Asenath and has two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. One day, when his brothers surprise Joseph by coming to buy grain. Unrecognized by them, Joseph imprisons Simeon, until they can prove their story by bringing their youngest brother, Benjamin. Joseph releases Simeon and invites the brothers to a feast. Joseph orders that Benjamin shall be punished, but the brothers offer themselves in his place to Joseph's surprise, where they confess to having sold Joseph into slavery. Joseph decides to reveal himself to them, and they reconcile, and he finally reunites with his father Jacob. The film concludes with Joseph's bones being carried into Israel, and the birth of the Messiah, Jesus.[2]
Voice cast
edit- Mike McFarland - Joseph
- Bob Magruder - Jacob
- Chris Jung - Reuben
- Jeff Kribs - Simeon
- Richard Stevens - Judah
- James Scott - Levi
- Neil K. Hess - Benjamin
- R. Bruce Elliot - Abraham/The Baker
- Ellen Cribbs - Sarah
- Will Irace - Dan
- Jim White - Pharoah/Narrator
- John McCalmont - Potiphar
- Bruce Carey - The Cupbearer
- Tom Schalk - Potiphar's Attendant
- Blair Wilson - Joseph's Attendant
- David Melvin - Voice of God
- Chris Hardy - Ishmaelite Trader
- James Kaylor - Field Overseer
- Joshua Elliot - Tapna
- Sheridan Wright - Potiphar's wife
- Extra voices - Salem de Bezenac
Media
editFirst premiered on 5 January, 2015, the film was released on DVD nationwide on 19 May, 2015. The DVD features Spanish dubbing and subtitles.[2] The film was later released on YouTube on 12 March, 2021, where it has garnered over 14 million views as of 2024.[3]
Reception
editDove.org gave the film a positive review, stating that it "features good voice actors, appropriate music (with Egyptian-sounding music for example while in Egypt), and dramatic music, along with strong character development", before concluding "the vivid and colorful animation brings this wonderful story of Joseph to life".[1] C. Block from Video Librarian gave the film four out of four stars, praising the "excellent animation and compelling voice work".[4]
Accolades
editThe film won at the 2016 International Christian Visual Media Crown Awards.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "Joseph, Beloved Son, Rejected Slave, Exalted Ruler". Dove.org. Retrieved 2024-11-05.
- ^ a b c "Joseph: Beloved Son, Rejected Slave, Exalted Ruler". Vision Video. Vision Video. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ Vision Video (March 12, 2021). Joseph: Beloved Son, Rejected Slave, Exalted Ruler (2015) Full Movie. YouTube. Google LLC. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ C. Block (September 11, 2015). "Joseph: Beloved Son, Rejected Slave, Exalted Ruler". Video Librarian. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ "Christian Films Win Top Honors at ICVM Crown Awards". Faith News Network. Retrieved November 6, 2024.