The Miracle Maker (2000 film)

The Miracle Maker is a stop motion-animated film about the life of Jesus Christ through the eyes of a young girl, Tamar, the daughter of the Biblical Jairus who is raised from death by Jesus (the daughter of Jairus is not named in the New Testament.) Some clips of the film (especially when stories are being told) are animated cartoons instead of stop motion.

The film was directed by Derek Hayes and Stanislav Sokolov. It stars the voice of Ralph Fiennes as Jesus. The cast also includes Emily Mortimer, Julie Christie, William Hurt, Ken Stott and Richard E. Grant.

The film ends with Anne Dudley's "Pie Jesu" for solo boy soprano and orchestra.

Plot

The film opens in "Sepphoris, Upper Galilee, Year 90 of the Roman Occupation." Jairus and his daughter Tamar are traveling through the city when they meet Cleopas, a friend of Jairus's. The conversation between Jairus and Cleopas reveals that Tamar is sick with a recurring fever, and every time it returns it gets worse. Jairus visits the doctor to see what can be done, but all the doctor is able to give him is medicine that will ease Tamar's pain, not cure her. As Jairus and Tamar leave the city, Tamar witnesses Jesus, who is one of the workers building a new synagogue, protect a deranged woman, Mary Magdalene, from being attacked by the townspeople who do not want her around.

Jesus leaves the city as well, and goes to visit his mother, Mary. While there, Mary recalls the time when Jesus ran away during a visit to Jerusalem as a young boy, and was found amazing the Elders at the Temple with his knowledge and insights about God and the Scriptures. After Jesus falls asleep, Mary also recalls his birth and the visit of the Wise Men.

After leaving his mother's house, Jesus travels to the Jordan River where John the Baptist is baptizing people and preaching about the coming of the Savior. As soon as he sees Jesus, John declares that the Lamb of God has arrived and falls to his knees. Although John believes he is unworthy to baptize Jesus, and that Jesus should baptize him, Jesus insists. John baptizes Jesus, and a voice from Heaven declares, "This is my beloved son." After his baptism, Jesus wanders out into the wilderness. The people gathered at the river ask where he is going, to which John replies, "There are battles which have to be fought alone."

Jesus wanders through the wilderness for quite some time, until he eventually collapses from exhaustion. Satan tempts Jesus to turn a rock into a loaf of bread to satisfy his hunger, but Jesus quotes the Scriptures saying, "Man shall not live on bread alone." Jesus gets up and continues walking, and Satan tempts Jesus once again. Showing him a cheering crowd and a large gold statue of Jesus, Satan states that he will hand over all this power and glory if Jesus will worship him. Jesus once again quotes Scripture, saying, "You shall worship the Lord, your God, and no one else shall you serve." Satan tries to tempt Jesus once more, taking him to the Temple and telling him to throw himself from the roof. Satan quotes Scriptures, saying that the angels are commanded to take care of and protect Jesus, but Jesus still refuses, saying, "You shall not put your God to the test!" After this, Satan leaves Jesus alone.

Jesus goes on to choose his twelve apostles, whom he journeys with while healing people and performing various miracles. The film portrays the events of the gospels through Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension into heaven.

See also

• List of animated feature films
• List of stop-motion films

External links

• The Miracle Maker at the Arts & Faith Top100 Spiritually Significant Films list
• The Miracle Maker at the Internet Movie Database
• The Miracle Maker at Rotten Tomatoes