Joseph (1995)
Joseph, favored son of Jacob and great-grandson of Abraham, is sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Rising to become prime minister of Egypt. Joseph governed the country during a seven year famine, during which his brothers visit Egypt seeking grain, only to encounter their brother, presumed long dead.
What people think about Joseph
Joseph (1995) stands out as a biblical adaptation that treats its source with real respect while still working as a sweeping, human-scale adventure—less about pageantry than about the slow, hard-earned transformation of a man tested by betrayal, temptation, and power. Roger Young gives the story room to breathe, letting the drama build in steady, satisfying steps, and the performances (with Ben Kingsley bringing gravitas and texture) make this ancient world feel lived-in rather than museum-stiff. The vibe is earnest and classical, with a strong moral spine and an undercurrent of suspense as fortunes turn and long-buried family wounds resurface. It won’t be for everyone—there’s some mature content and it’s unabashedly faith-forward—but if you want a compelling, well-acted TV epic about resilience, providence, and forgiveness, it’s an easy recommendation.
Joseph (1995) aims to deliver a sincere, Bible-faithful epic with enough palace intrigue and moral testing to play like a prestige TV event rather than a flashy blockbuster. It mostly works, but the pacing can feel stretched, with long stretches of dutiful storytelling that can come off as more reverent than gripping, and some dialogue/performances land a bit stiff or stagey. If you’re hoping for fast-moving adventure, big action, or subtle character work, this may feel like homework; if you’re comfortable with earnest, straightforward dramatization, it’s a solid watch. Ben Kingsley brings needed weight, the production looks respectable for a TV movie, and the story’s forgiveness-and-providence arc still hits if you’re in the right mood.
Cast
Ben KingsleyPotifar
Paul MercurioJosef
Dominique SandaLea
Lesley Ann WarrenPotifars Frau
Martin LandauJakob
Alice KrigeRahel
Warren ClarkeEdnan
Monica BellucciPharaos Frau
Stefano DionisiPharao
Valéria CavalliAsenat
Kelly MiraccoTamar- GGloria CarlinBilha
Michael AngelisRuben
Vincenzo NicoliSimeon- CColin BruceLevi
Michael AttwellJuda- DDavide CincisDan
Rodolfo CorsatoNaftali
Crew
- Director
- Roger Young
- Writers
- Lionel Chetwynd
- Cinematography
- Raffaele Mertes
- Editing
- Benjamin A. Weissman
Details
- Released
- April 10, 1995
- Language
- English
- Studio
- Turner Pictures, Beta Film, Quinta Communications
- IMDb
- tt0113483
