Joseph
Tags: revenge, flashback

Plot synopsis:
Joseph, a Hebrew, is an Egyptian slave to Potiphar, chief of Pharaoh's palace guard. When Joseph is placed under the charge of Ednan, Potiphar's overseer, Ednan torments Joseph for his refusal to show deference for the Egyptian god Amun. But Joseph eventually earns Ednan's respect when he reveals that he knows how to read, and Ednan starts relying more and more on Joseph.
Joseph is eventually put in charge of Potiphar's home, but his wife begins to desire Joseph and repeatedly, but unsuccessfully, tries to seduce him. She ultimately becomes so angry at Joseph that she falsely accuses him of raping her and demands his execution. But Potiphar, knowing Joseph's trustworthiness—and his wife's infidelity—has his doubts. Potiphar speaks to Joseph in private and demands that Joseph give him some reason to trust him.
Joseph gives Potiphar his life's story from his youth: Joseph is a son of Jacob (aka Israel) and the first of two sons to his mother Rachel, who later died giving birth to his younger full-brother Benjamin. Joseph also had a half-sister, Dinah, and ten half-brothers, Six of which came through his step-mother and aunt Leah, Rachel's older sister.
Jacob and his extended family make a pilgrimage to a fertile plane near the Hivite town of Shechem, where they are visited by the city's king, Hamor, along with his counselor and his son. While Jacob and Hamor make arrangements to pay taxes for the land, Hamor's son, also named Shechem, notices Dinah and takes a liking to her. Hamor invites Jacob and his family to come to a wedding celebration, and asks that Dinah accompany them. Simeon, one of Joseph's half-brothers, disliking the way Shechem looked at Dinah, suggests they resist Hamor by force, but Jacob rebukes him. The night of the wedding celebration, Shechem catches Dinah and rapes her. The next day Hamor and Shechem attempt to make amends by having Shechem marry Dinah. Jacob replies that Dinah can only marry a man who is of her faith. Hamor agrees that all the Shechemite men will convert to Jacob's faith via circumcision. While Jacob is satisfied, Simeon plots revenge against Shechem. While the Shechemites are recovering from their circumcisions, the brothers and other members of the tribe attack the fortified village, setting many of their buildings ablaze and killing many Shechemites including Shechem himself. Jacob is furious with his sons' ruthless actions and announces that now that they have become a stench to the people of the land, they must leave the area. During this ordeal of moving again, at Beth-El, Rachel gives birth to Benjamin, but dies soon afterward from exhaustion.
Nine years later, Reuben, Joseph's oldest half-brother, desires Bilhah, one of Jacob's women. Zilpah, one of Leah's handmaids, sees the couple together and tells Jacob, who angrily declares to Reuben that authority over the family will fall to Joseph instead. This adds even more fuel to Reuben's (and the other brothers') jealous anger toward Joseph. For reasons such as these, Joseph has seen the destruction infidelity can bring, and would never do such a thing, he tells Potiphar.
His story continues that while the brothers are out at work in the fields, they decide to kill and eat one of their own lambs, which is expressly forbidden by Jacob. They later try to tell Jacob that the lamb was killed by a wild animal; Jacob, a lifelong shepherd, is not fooled and he rebukes his sons for disobeying him. The brothers blame Joseph for Jacob's anger and accuse him of being a spy for Jacob.
Jacob is so pleased with Joseph that he gives him a "coat of many colors", which increases the jealousy among the brothers. Further exacerbating their hatred of Joseph is his frequent interpretations of his dreams that one day his brothers and his father will all kneel before him. Spurred on by Simeon, the brothers discuss killing Joseph, but Reuben says he will not have the blood of his brother on his hands. Instead, the brothers throw Joseph into a dry well pit. They then sell Joseph into slavery to a group of Ishmaelite traders. Back at the encampment, the sons then show Jacob the coat (torn and bloodied by the brothers) and tell him that Joseph has been killed by a wild animal. Jacob is overcome with grief.
After listening to Joseph's life story, Potiphar asks him to tell him exactly what happened with his wife; Joseph tells Potiphar of his wife's attempts at seduction and his refusal to accede to her demands. Potiphar then calls in the household. He announces that Joseph will go to Pharaoh's prison; Potiphar's wife complains that he has humiliated her, but he merely responds that one humiliation deserves another.
Seven years later Joseph, now in charge of many of the prisoners, has earned a reputation as a talented interpreter of dreams. He makes two interpretations of the dreams of the Royal cupbearer and the Royal baker, both imprisoned on suspicion of theft. He says the cupbearer's dream means that he will soon be acquitted and returned to his post, whereas the baker's dream means that Pharaoh will have him executed. Both of these interpretations later come to pass just as Joseph prohpesied.
Years later, Pharaoh himself has two disturbing dreams: The first involved seven fat cows being swallowed by seven sickly cows, the second dream is a similar one involving seven full ears of corn consumed by seven withered ears. When his vizier and his staff cannot give Pharaoh an answer, the cupbearer and Potiphar inform Pharaoh of Joseph, so Pharaoh summons him from prison. Joseph's interpretation is that the seven fat cows and the seven full ears of corn mean that there will be seven years of great plenty; the seven sickly cows and the seven thin ears of corn signify that seven years of extreme famine will follow, which could take many lives.
Calling Joseph's interpretations "madness", but more offended that his dreams are being interpreted by a mere slave, Pharaoh orders Joseph thrown back in prison, but that night Pharaoh is again plagued by the same dreams. Now realizing the dreams are too important to ignore, Pharaoh again summons Joseph from prison and asks his advice about what can be done to avoid the deaths. Joseph suggests that Pharaoh appoint a steward to have all the farmers give one-fifth of their crop to Pharaoh for storage for the coming famine, something that has never before been attempted in Egypt. Impressed with Joseph's suggestion, Pharaoh decides that no one, including his own advisers, has the ability to carry out Joseph's plan except for Joseph himself, so Pharaoh appoints him governor over all of Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself. He then gives Joseph a new name: Zaphenath-Paneah (translated in the film as "the savior"), and also gives Joseph a wife, Asenath, confidant to Pharaoh's wife and daughter of the high priest of On. Potiphar, who now serves Joseph, gives Ednan into Joseph's charge as his assistant.
By the time the famine begins, Joseph and Asenath have two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. The famine is even more severe in Canaan; when Jacob learns of the abundance in Egypt, he sends all of his sons except for Benjamin to Egypt to buy grain. Joseph recognizes his brothers (though they don't recognize him), but when he notices they haven't changed in the years since they sold him into slavery, Joseph accuses them of spying and has them thrown into prison. Three days later Joseph gives them a chance to prove their innocence by bringing Benjamin with them on their next visit; he also retains Simeon in prison to ensure their return. Initially, Jacob refuses to accept the idea; Benjamin is Jacob's last link to the late Rachel, whom Jacob loved more than Leah. But when their food is again on the verge of running out, Jacob is forced to admit there's no other choice and reluctantly allows Benjamin to go to Egypt.
On their way back home the second time, Joseph's guards, led by Ednan, arrest Benjamin for theft (on Joseph's order, one of his silver cups was planted in Benjamin's grain sack). Joseph, still not recognized by his brothers, declares that Benjamin will stay in Egypt but the rest can leave. Simeon and several others overpower the guards by grabbing their spears, swearing that they would rather die than leave Benjamin behind and be subject to Jacob's wrath. Joseph confronts them about their willingness to put their lives on the line for another brother, but not for the first (meaning himself). After sending Ednan and the guards out of the room, Joseph tearfully reveals his true identity to all of them. Benjamin immediately embraces Joseph, but the others, overwhelmed by shock and shame, drop their spears. Joseph embraces each of them in turn, assuring them all of his love and forgiveness, especially Simeon, who tearfully admits that he is to blame for Joseph having been sold into slavery more than 20 years earlier. As he embraces each of them, Joseph explains that God used their evil intentions for their ultimate good, preparing Joseph for his current position so that he can help and provide for his extended family.
Joseph sends his brothers home to bring Jacob and the entire settlement to Egypt where Joseph can provide for them during the remaining five years of the famine. Jacob and his extended family arrive in Egypt where he is emotionally reunited with Joseph and meets Manasseh and Ephraim for the first time.

Review: I happened to catch the TV movie Joseph a few weeks ago.
Throughout he portrays the slave role with quiet dignity; his faith and belief in God absolutely marvelous, convincing, pure.
The scene where he reveals himself as Joseph, not as second in command of all Egypt, to  his brothers tearfully, poignantly is one of the best acting scenes I have seen in years.
Isn't this the epitome of great film?
The best film of a Bible story I have ever seen.
The film was the most faithful Bible adaptation I have seen.
It kept faithful to the Bible with intelligent in-filling of Biblical gaps of plot and character.
As a teacher of ancient history with an earned doctorate in Biblical theology, I must compliment the producers of 'Joseph' for doing the impossible: staying faithfully true to Biblical text, and holding the attention of young and old alike for three hours.'Joseph' captures the power, pathos, and splendor of the greatest of Bible characterizations--Joseph, the hated brother, becomes not only lord over his entire family, but the second most powerful man in the ancient world.
Ben Kingsley, as he did in 'Moses', and Martin Landau (as Jacob) steal the show, but Paul Mercurio does an admirable job as the main character.
Vincenzo Nicoli is outstanding as the vengeful brother Simeon, and, as the last to confront the powerful Joseph--now his savior, Nicoli does nothing less than reduce us to tears.The film is also true to the many nuances of Egyptian and Hebrew history, which most audiences would neither notice, nor care to notice; yet, such nuances prove highly effective!
To note the Egyptians' penchant for cleanliness, and to depict Joseph's famous coat as not necessarily 'many colored' shows the expert research which went into this film.Although some explicit (though historically accurate) sexual scenes must be screened from the very young, this film captures not only the drama and climactic ascension to a powerful emotional conclusion, but also the characterization of moral goodness so extant in Joseph.
I watched 'Joseph' with my middle school students, and as they busily synthesized their thirty or so 'characteristics of a role model' into an essay, one of them asked why there were no such heroes today.
The question at once revealed not only the impression this film made, but also the perceptive dearth of role-models in our modern society.Though including a few anachronistic liberties (such as Joseph's "My God, my God..." paraphrase of Christ's cry from the cross, 'Joseph' is a winner!
This movie showed very accurately the story of Joseph and all of his trials and unfair mistreatment.
As a minister, I liked this movie which caused the Bible to "come alive".
Martin Landau was very convincing as the aging and often angry Jacob, Ben Kingsley was the one to be chosen for Potipher, Lesley Ann Warren definitely let the viewer(s) see very clearly what a beautiful, sultry, and wicked wife Potipher had.
Paul Mercurio portrayed Joseph a godly man who, in turn, was terribly mistreated by his brothers, Potipher's wife, and Egyptian taskmasters.
Needless to say, it was inspiring to see Joseph "come out on top" in this story.
The movie did follow the Biblical story line very closely.
A great story from the Bible!.
The story of Joseph and his brothers is one of the most impressing and rich of significance stories amongst the many others great legends from the Bible.
Even the Nobel Prize winner - German author Thomas Mann - wrote a novel called 'Joseph and his Brothers' giving his personal interpretation of this intense, gripping and compassionate episode of the Bible.
But the drama of the betrayed Joseph, his suffer among the Egyptians and his conquer of power and fortune, was never at the first line of consideration by the producers of Hollywood.
This movie, produced in Italy, bring to us this entranced story with an average success.
Martin Landau gives a convinced performance as Jacob, Ben Kingsley is correct as Potifar but Paul Mercurio is very bad as Joseph.
Anyway, if you find this one in a DVD/VHS rent store and if you like Biblical movies, don't lose this one.
One of an excellent series of movies that depect events as described in the Bible.
Further, it has a top notch cast, Kingsley, Landau, Warren.
An Accurate and Enriching Bible Film.
This film is far from the epic scale of DeMille's "The Ten Commandments" but its startling accuracy pays homage to the text of Genesis and it is full of drama, bitterness, provocative character, and spiritual development.
The film takes time to address Jacob's family background without taking away from the protagonist's ongoing journey.
Since my school classes covered the story of Joseph with Old Testament commentaries, I am impressed with the remarkable precision in the film from a Jewish perspective.
While some of the brothers dispute with their father Jacob, it is Judah who redeems himself from his errors.The casting is well-credited with Ben Kingsley (superb as ever) as Potiphar.
Paul Mercurio as Joseph is a quiet and righteous man who restrains himself in the face of fear and temptation.
The simple backgrounds and sets work well and while this is not an elaborate film, it is a great biblical one.
Joseph is an excellent dramatisation of the Biblical story.
It's a tale best known in popular culture today as the basis for the Lloyd Webber musical, but I found it refreshing to sit down and watch a thorough and accurate account of the story as it was in the Bible, and without all the glitzy silliness that Webber brought to the table.The production values and script are as great as ever for this series, with the Moroccan locations perfectly standing in for Canaan and Egypt (the depiction of the famine in particular is terrifyingly realised).
What stands out most, though, is the calibre of the cast in this one.Ben Kingsley far and away steals the show as the complicated Potiphar; he's a man you could easily hate when he first shows up, but there's much more to him than that.
Martin Landau, as the ancient elder Jacob, is also outstanding, adding real heart to the production.
Paul Mercurio (STRICTLY BALLROOM) makes a charismatic Joseph, even if he didn't entirely lose his Aussie accent, and it makes you wonder what happened to him..
That is the story of Joseph from the Book of Genesis, the story of a young boy sold into slavery by his envious brothers who overcomes particular hardship and injustice in order to be placed one day over the Pharaoh's house, his people and his entire kingdom, in order to become "Zapaneth Paneah" – a 'saviour' for Egypt and all surrounding lands; finally, in order to embrace his brothers in tears of pardoning.Although the story of Joseph was, for a long time, quite neglected in cinema, the new biblical project in the 1990s could not skip this significant tale after ABRAHAM with Richard Harris and JACOB with Matthew Modine.
Again, critics disappointed us terribly...The entire movie is faithful to the Bible to such extend that there are hardly any changes, even minor ones, which makes it one of the most accurate productions ever.
The story in most part of the film's first half is told 'in media res.' We get the insight into an Egyptian slave market and a slave boy of Canaan who opens his mouth only in prayer bought by a rich master Potiphar (Ben Kingsley).
Joseph (Paul Mercurio) tells his dramatic story to his master just after the unfair accusations have been made up by Potiphar's wife (Lesley Ann Warren) and...
At the same time, Joseph shouts desperately "Lord, my God why have you forsaken me?" Events to come truly prove that his God was with him...However, besides the story that has overwhelmed lots of different people for centuries, "Joseph" offers much more.
When the story itself does not suffice for many (that is the case with all biblical material) what we want, as viewers, is something that will remain in our memories, that will leave us breathless, something awesome within the perfectly familiar walls of our knowledge and experience.
"Joseph" as a movie offers us all of them including lovely cinematography, memorable sets and very good camera work.
While watching the movie for the second time, I paid particular attention to camera work, to single images and I was mesmerized by some moments which are both symbolically and visually significant.The cast...
Paul Mercurio in the lead portrays a man of integrity, a man of forgiveness, a man who has truly seen the evils of rape and vengeance and, consequently, appears to be "endowed with a spirit of God" as poetically described in the script, or, more realistically, very reliable to all the people around, even to such greatness itself like the Pharaoh himself.
All these unique features of Joseph are beautifully portrayed by Paul Mercurio.
The supporting cast include great stars of cinema as well as unknown actors who do equally fine jobs in their roles.
Ben Kingsley as Potiphar focuses on patience, Martin Landau as Jacob emphasizes father's love, Stefano Dionisi as Pharaoh highlights confusion of a ruler and Vincenzo Nicoli as, perhaps, Joseph's most wicked brother, Simeon, stresses integral aspect of jealousy and hatred.
But a nice contrast is highlighted by two women: Valeria Cavalli as Asenath: a subtle, beautiful woman pleasing to Joseph and Lesley Ann Warren as wicked, lustful and cruel Potiphar's wife.In short, for me, Joseph has been a biblical experience on screen, a movie that touched me to tears, a motion picture that addressed my heart.
Timeless story of a gentle heart that brings all worldly revenge, cruelty and jealousy to their knees, which never stops saying "Forgiveness is greater than vengeance; compassion more powerful than anger".
Every time this 1995 version of Joseph's profound story is on TV again, I watch it.
I'm mesmerized by the beautiful Soul of Joseph as depicted by the really likable Paul Mercurio.
He brings Joseph's kind and courageous spirit to life.Also excellent is Ben Kingsley, Martin Landau, Leslie A.
For me it is essential viewing for audiences who want accurate Biblical stories, as well as for those who simply like well-produced movies.Joseph truly has a character to aspire to as followers of the deeper nature of humanity, and his characterization is both believable and amazing in this rendition.
Because it isn't certain who really made this story work, I have to give everyone in the production credit..
Godly principles shown in this story of Joseph.
We all know the story of Joseph being favored of his father and given a coat of many colors.
A true story of how God made provision for Joseph's family during the famine so they would not starve.
It will encourage you in your Faith in God. The whole story can be read in the Bible starting in Genesis 30.
Great film.
Very accessible Bible film.
I take exception to the Christlike "My God...why have you forsaken me" (which would have been more fitting in a film about David) Joseph utters when thrown into prison though.
Major blunder that one - but still well meaning.Mercurio was perfect for the role and Kingsley is always exceptional.
one of films who gives a beautiful, touching story in the right manner, with wise precision.
the story of Joseph is presented with grace and respect.
the bad one - Potiphar by Ben Kingsley remains across the film, the real lead character.
motif, maybe, the small courage of Paul Mercurio to give more substance to his character words and gestures, to be, in fact, Joseph.
the presence of Martin Landau is another support for film.
the film is a good surprise for the art to be more than a religious movie.
an episode of Bible who escapes from religious movies clichés for a real admirable style to introduce the viewer in a world well-known who becomes new at whole.
the levels of story, the faith of Joseph, the nuances of performances, the image, locations, music all, each gives soul to events in a special manner.
it is an universal story, one of mankind cultural history and that soul who becomes present in each scene transforms the Joseph adventure in a touching discovery.
result - a historical movie more than biblical.
I would give it very high marks for Biblical faithfulness and I even gained several insights into the sacred narrative - why the silver was returned to the brothers' sacks the first time, for instance.
I liked the way it brought out Joseph's need to test his brothers, and in the process to bring about necessary change within them.
I felt that the way they played Joseph's "coming out" among his brothers at the end included unnecessary departures.But aside from those minor qualms, this was an exceptionally rewarding film.
The high point of the entire movie was when Pharaoh unexpectedly promotes Joseph.
That and a few other scenes were so well done that they will permanently color the way I now read the text.Landau as Jacob, Kingsley as Potiphar, the guy who played Pharaoh and the woman who became wife to Joseph (wise as well as beautiful) were superb supports to the title role.Also, the musical score to this film is notably beautiful and stirring.
Joseph Provides Great Themes For Viewers.
This Biblical TV movie provides us a great story about Joseph,a moral and upright man who never lost his faith in God amidst all the trials,challenges,injustices and abuses he has received in life.Paul Mercurio plays the title role together with a great and talented cast of supporting actors and actresses such as Martin Landau,Ben Kingsley,Lesley Ann Warren and Monica Belluci playing important roles such as Jacob,Potiphar,Potiphar's Wife and the Pharaoh's wife respectively.This three-hour film takes us to different stages of Joseph's life from his childhood,his life as a slave,his tenure in prison,his promotion as governor in Egypt and when he and his family get reunited together during the period of world famine.This film was definitely inspiring especially to those who is familiar with the story of Joseph.Its themes of faith,hope,forgiveness,compassion,humility and moral uprightness will definitely inspire Christians and non-Christian viewers alike to hold the same virtues in their life especially during tough and challenging periods of their life.Also,the acting of the film was also wonderful especially the talented supporting cast like Ben Kingsley,Martin Landau and Lesley Ann Warren.Mercurio did a commendable job as Joseph.Finally,the soundtrack of Italian film composer Ennio Morricone of the The Good, the Bad and the Ugly fame is also worthy of mention..
Joseph Is A Great TV Movie.
Joseph is a German/Italian/American TV movie, which tells the story of Joseph from the Old Testament.It stars Paul Mercurio as Joseph together with Ben Kingsley,Martin Landau and Lesley Ann Warren.
Roger Young directed this TV movie.This film is Biblically accurate, well-acted, and the producer and director are to be praised for the sound Biblical research.Although some of the sexually explicit scenes,it should be screened from the very young.It is an ideal platform from which teens can search out characteristics of moral uprightness in Joseph.The performances were great.Kingsley steals the show while Mercurio does an admirable job.The only flaw I could find in it is that it isn't powerful as other Biblical films and TV movies.But nevertheless, it still tells a good story of a man who never lost faith in the Lord amidst all the trials and sufferings that he experienced before achieving success in life..
Star--studded biblical story.
Movies like this one almost constitute an Italian TV genre.They are modest budgeted biblical stories,made interesting by ,of course,the quality of the source,and by the cast as well.Joseph (1995) (TV)is not Italian;it's directed by Roger Young,written by Lionel Chetwynd (the author of Peter Hall's Jacob ,as well) and finely,maybe sumptuously, incredibly subtly performed by artists like Ben Kingsley,Martin Landau ,Lesley Ann Warren,Dominique Sanda, Alice Krige and Valeria Cavalli.The Italian element is nonetheless present--the cast includes Monica Bellucci and other Italian actors in small roles;the score is Italian,and many members of the crew.Joseph (1995) (TV) revealed to me Kingsley's non--negligible talent and instantly turned me into a fan of his;I remember I have found something about him in an old almanac, and I was gathering every information available about this unbelievably subtle and endearing actor.His role showed a finesse that it is not so uncommon in some TV productions (I think mostly about Volonte in the TV Charterhouse;or about some roles in the LA PIOVRA series--performed by giants of the screen).In Europe,such finesse is appreciated in the TV movies.As an artist, Kingsley is, much like Landau, uneven; GANDHI is an execrable movie.
Yet he could have had his share with the best; as I remarked him in this Biblical story, it seemed to me he was one of the supplest and imaginative and delicatethat gleam of tenderness and kindness of his .As a weird ,peculiar looking Egyptian, he gives a gentlemanly performance.
When I first viewed "Joseph" on cable network TNT, I did so only because of my "infatuation" with Paul Mercurio, but found the movie to be a story of rape, betrayal, jealousy, vengeance, and ultimately a tale of redemption and forgiveness (hey, just like the "Good Book" itself).
Paul Mercurio portrays Joseph, whose witness to these sins allows him to grow into a man of unquestionable moral value, along with the ability to forgive even the most grievous actions toward him (witness how he treats Adnan, played by Warren Clark, the foreman who at first abuses him, then helps when it comes out that the man cannot read).Ben Kingsley portrays Potiphar, chief of Pharoah's palace guard.
Martin Landau gives his usual bravura performance as Jacob, head of the tribe of children of Israel.
Jacob is flawed, perhaps naively causing the resentment felt toward Joseph by his brothers, but he is thoroughly justified in the actions he takes after the behavior of his sons.The only misstep in casting, IMO, is that of Lesley Ann Warren as Potiphar's wife.