Mistwell
Crusty Old Meatwad
I would love to see the story of The Maccabees retold in a blockbuster film.
For those not familiar, after the Greek Empire under Alexander The Great and his successors had conquered the land of Israel, Greek social customs became the norm in Judah. Many of the Jews adapted themselves to Greek ways. However, the good will ended when Antiochus IV came to power.
Antiochus was a madman who attempted to destroy the Jews and all worship of their singular-God. He had any Jew who would not worship the Greek idols put to death. Praying to God, or observing the Sabbath were also capital offenses. Mothers found with circumcised infants, according to Jewish law, were killed along with the child. He had many scrolls of the Holy Scriptures burned, although many were very likely saved by being hidden out in the wilderness in a manner similar to the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The greatest outrage committed by Antiochus occurred in 167 B.C. when he entered The Great Temple in Jerusalem, erected an altar to Zeus, and sacrificed a pig on it. That desecration triggered a rebellion by a group of Jews led by the priest Mattathias and his five sons. When Mattathias died in 166 B.C., the leadership went to his son Judas, who was nicknamed "the Maccabee" which means "the hammer." The name Maccabee was also used for other members of the family who took part in the uprising, and eventually to that group of Knights who took part in the rebellion.
The Maccabee's were seriously outnumbered, and their opponents were armed with the best military weapons and training of the time. However, with bravery, military genius, and no doubt much luck and stealth, the Maccabees achieved an amazing series of victories through the land. By 164 B.C. they gained control of The Temple and rededicated it. Their eventual victory and purification of The Temple is today commemorated by Jews with the annual Festival of Hanukkah (and the story really ends with an 8-day party, not really the miricle of the oil, which arose later in history).
I really think it would make a fine film.
I also think the siege of Masada would make a fantastic film, and would be perhaps as sad if not sadder than Passion, with much more opportunity for LOTRs-type panoramic views of castles and Gladiator-level recreation of buildings.
More on Masada here:
http://masada.cdshop.co.il/story/synopsis.html
For those not familiar, after the Greek Empire under Alexander The Great and his successors had conquered the land of Israel, Greek social customs became the norm in Judah. Many of the Jews adapted themselves to Greek ways. However, the good will ended when Antiochus IV came to power.
Antiochus was a madman who attempted to destroy the Jews and all worship of their singular-God. He had any Jew who would not worship the Greek idols put to death. Praying to God, or observing the Sabbath were also capital offenses. Mothers found with circumcised infants, according to Jewish law, were killed along with the child. He had many scrolls of the Holy Scriptures burned, although many were very likely saved by being hidden out in the wilderness in a manner similar to the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The greatest outrage committed by Antiochus occurred in 167 B.C. when he entered The Great Temple in Jerusalem, erected an altar to Zeus, and sacrificed a pig on it. That desecration triggered a rebellion by a group of Jews led by the priest Mattathias and his five sons. When Mattathias died in 166 B.C., the leadership went to his son Judas, who was nicknamed "the Maccabee" which means "the hammer." The name Maccabee was also used for other members of the family who took part in the uprising, and eventually to that group of Knights who took part in the rebellion.
The Maccabee's were seriously outnumbered, and their opponents were armed with the best military weapons and training of the time. However, with bravery, military genius, and no doubt much luck and stealth, the Maccabees achieved an amazing series of victories through the land. By 164 B.C. they gained control of The Temple and rededicated it. Their eventual victory and purification of The Temple is today commemorated by Jews with the annual Festival of Hanukkah (and the story really ends with an 8-day party, not really the miricle of the oil, which arose later in history).
I really think it would make a fine film.
I also think the siege of Masada would make a fantastic film, and would be perhaps as sad if not sadder than Passion, with much more opportunity for LOTRs-type panoramic views of castles and Gladiator-level recreation of buildings.
More on Masada here:
http://masada.cdshop.co.il/story/synopsis.html
