Visual Bible works on film adaptation of John’s Gospel

ONTARIO, Canada — Visual Bible International (VBI) is responding to the rapidly expanding demand for Scripture-based consumer products in the US by making a feature-length film adaptation of the Gospel of John. Using the exact wording of the Good News Bible, this film “will provide millions of people with an opportunity to understand this inspiring book in today’s preferred visual medium,” according to Board Chairman Dr Steven Small.

Faithful to Scriptures

VBI, which describes itself as a “global Christian faith-based media company … committed to producing films with exceptional production values that maintain the integrity of the biblical works,” believes that there is a large potential market for high quality Christian faith-based films and home entertainment products that faithfully reproduce the Scriptures. It plans to supply this market by making a film version of one of the books of the Bible every nine months, with the current project scheduled to culminate in a release in September.

Most widely read

Following on from the success of film versions of the Gospel of Matthew and the Book of Acts (see World Report 355/1), an advisory committee made up of seven leading scholars of religion and theology selected the Gospel of John, regarded as the most widely read Gospel.

“The selection of the Gospel of John made sense,” according to Professor Peter Richardson, chairman of the committee, “given its dramatic portrayal of the historical Jesus [and the fact that it] illustrates the wide variety of ways in which the biblical revelation appears in written form.”

An award-winning production team is now working with 75 principal actors and more than 2,000 extras on a recreation which is as historically accurate as possible, even down to the use of a musical score featuring period instruments. A location near Malaga, Spain, is being used for the external scenes, while interior scenes will be shot in Toronto.

Passion

Dr Small stated that the production team “has a passion for this project” that will be reflected in the resulting films. The team believes that the films will “appeal to all denominations, both Christian and non-Christian” by offering “a wonderful experience and enhanced understanding and appreciation of the Bible.”