Jacob is a 1994 German/Italian/American television movie directed by Peter Hall starring Matthew Modine, Lara Flynn Boyle, and Sean Bean. It is based on the novel Giacobbe by Francesco Maria Nappi, which is in turn based on a biblical account from the Book of Genesis about Jacob.
Plot
Jacob defrauds his twin brother Esau and flees. In Haran he gets to know his cousin Rachel, and falls in love with her. Years of hard work later he marries Rachel and reconciles with his brother Esau.
Jacob is based on the novel Giacobbe by Francesco Maria Nappi, which is in turn based on a biblical account from the Book of Genesis about Jacob.[1][2] The screenplay was written by Lionel Chetwynd.[2]
It was directed by British director Peter Hall,[2] whose daughter, Emma, played the child Joseph.
The film premiered at the Banff Theatre in London in December 1994,[3] and was broadcast on television on December 4, 1994.[6]
It was released on DVD by Turner Home Entertainment in 2005.[2]
Critical reception
Reviewer Peter Chattaway wrote that the film "suffers from a pedestrian script and really bad casting", in particular Matthew Modine and Lara Flynn Boyle as lovers.[6]
American filmmaker John P. McCarthy wrote in Variety in 1994: "This sure-footed TNT original has class to spare. Although more spice would be nice, "Jacob" delivers the biblical goods in a modestly compelling package". He praises "Marco Frisina's exceptional score".[4]
Christian website Movieguide reports that the film is "well made, both in cinematography and pacing, keeping the audience's interest effortlessly. The script is realistic, as is most of the plot. The acting is decent but not exceptional".[7]
