The Bible

:

Season 1
Metascore
45

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 13
  3. Negative: 4 out of 13
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Critic Reviews

  1. Variety
    Reviewed by: Brian Lowry
    Feb 28, 2013
    70
    Told with great earnestness and a Hans Zimmer score, The Bible hits only a few conspicuously awkward notes.
  2. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Linda Stasi
    Mar 4, 2013
    63
    Much of this is tediously drawn out, with crazy fly-overs between Biblical Chapters that may make you think it’s “Survivor: Holy Lands,” which, of course, it is.... Things really pick up when Jesus shows up.
  3. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Reviewed by: Gail Pennington
    Mar 4, 2013
    50
    I suspect that viewers who know the Bible well will be annoyed by "The Bible," while those who are casual students will be alternately mildly entertained and fairly bored. People with no religious beliefs probably won't watch anyway, but if they do, they could wind up confused or amused.
  5. Uncle Barky
    Reviewed by: Ed Bark
    Mar 1, 2013
    50
    The Bible has the misfortune of looking cheap in comparison to the visual feast provided by the preceding Vikings. And the acting isn't nearly strong enough to overcome this.
  6. Newsday
    Reviewed by: Verne Gay
    Mar 1, 2013
    50
    This Bible probably won't offend anyone, but it's hard to imagine it will inspire anyone, either.
  7. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Tom Gliatto
    Mar 1, 2013
    50
    This is like dramatizing War and peace without commenting on war or peace. [11 Mar 2013, p.46]
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  8. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
    Reviewed by: Rob Owen
    Feb 28, 2013
    50
    It often plays more like an action film than a serious interpretation of a holy book.
  9. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Robert Lloyd
    Mar 4, 2013
    40
    The Bible according to Burnett and Downey is a handsome and generally expensive-looking production, but it is also flat and often tedious, even when it tends to the hysterical, and as hard as the Hans Zimmer soundtrack strains to keep you on the edge of your sofa.
  10. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Sarah Rodman
    Feb 28, 2013
    40
    As is, The Bible sometimes feels too facile, like a colorful Sunday school pop-up book come to life, albeit one with much more graphic violence (which some parents might want to preview before sharing with their kids).
  11. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Dalton Ross
    Feb 28, 2013
    33
    [A] cheesefest miniseries.
  12. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Tirdad Derakhshani
    Mar 4, 2013
    30
    There's no character work here, no interesting reinterpretations of a classic text, no inspired acting. Just cardboard characters surrounded by CGI frippery.
  13. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Neil Genzlinger
    Mar 1, 2013
    30
    The result is a mini-series full of emoting that does not register emotionally, a tableau of great biblical moments that doesn’t convey why they’re great.
  14. Miami Herald
    Reviewed by: Glenn Garvin
    Mar 4, 2013
    20
    With the pace of a music video, the characterizations of a comic book and the political-correctness quotient of a Berkeley vegetarian commune this production makes Cecil B. DeMille look like a sober theologian.

Awards & Rankings

64
#64 Most Discussed TV Season of 2013
50
#50 Most Shared TV Season of 2013

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
4.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 70 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 70
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 70
  3. Negative: 43 out of 70
  1. WhiteTalpa
    May 1, 2013
    0
    There are so many thing wrong with the show i CBA to explain
  2. WayneThomas412
    Mar 7, 2013
    3
    The beginning was promising. I actually loved Noah telling the story of creation while riding out the flood. Very effective. But after that itThe beginning was promising. I actually loved Noah telling the story of creation while riding out the flood. Very effective. But after that it just got really silly. Too corny. Ill admit, I'm an atheist so I'm watching this series because I believe it's one of the greatest story's ever told. Unfortunately it's being presented in a way that can be pretty off putting to those who are looking for entertainment and not a religious experience. I understand I'm not the target audience but even the annoying Christian ads seems to be a bit forced. Bottom line, if you're a believer you can probably look past the corniness since its meaningful, but for us nonbelievers, the show is as silly as we think your belief is.… Full Review »
  3. 007
    Mar 5, 2013
    5
    The entire Bible itself, is a book that cannot be covered in the realm of a medium. There will be omissions and changes made to have a moreThe entire Bible itself, is a book that cannot be covered in the realm of a medium. There will be omissions and changes made to have a more Hollywood type of a plot. This series is produced by The History Channel, and will (by no doubt) try to "Americanize" it by adding more drama and forced conflict to the already well written story. It appears that they have spent more time on their other new series "Vikings", than have spent on the old and new testaments. It's a pity to say, I would rather watch a show on Vikings, than I would on the Bible. Shame.… Full Review »
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