Product Description

Hear the Bible Come Alive in Dramatic Audio Theater™!

This multi-voiced, scripted dramatization of the New King James Version (NKJV) features a star-studded cast of actors, an original music score, and incredible feature film quality sound effects. This world-class production creates a dramatic audio theater experience that makes you feel like you're really there with Jesus and His disciples. Listen in your car, on your MP3 player, or with your family or small group to gain a new perspective of the Bible.

The Word of Promise® New Testament Audio Bible is a 20-CD set and includes a bonus "Behind-the-Scenes" DVD.

Cast Includes:

• Jim Caviezel (The Passion of The Christ, Deja vu) - Jesus
• Academy Award winner Richard Dreyfuss (Mr. Holland's Opus, The Goodbye Girl) - Quotes from Moses
• Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei (My Cousin Vinny, What Women Want) - Mary Magdalene
• Golden Globe winner Stacy Keach (Prison Break, Hemingway) - Paul
• Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Louis Gossett, Jr. (An Officer and a Gentleman, Roots) - John
• Kimberly Williams-Paisley (According to Jim, Father of the Bride) - Mary, Mother of Jesus
• And many others

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11729 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 20
• Binding: Audio CD

Features

• ISBN13: 9780718024246
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Amazon.com Review

Amazon.com Exclusive: A Letter From Carl Amari, Producer of The Word of Promise

Dear Friends,

I am very excited for you all to experience The Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible. It has been a true labor of love and I’m thrilled that it has finally released.

I would like to take a few minutes to share with you how The Word of Promise came to be. As a young man, I was introduced to and intrigued by recordings of old radio shows. Long before the advent of TV, people were entertained by radio mysteries, comedies and dramas. These stories were presented by actors, complete with sound effects and music enhancing the experience. The imagination, which we have all but forgotten today, was totally engaged.

While in college, I started a company to market these audio gems of the past. In only a few years, Radio Spirits became the largest seller and marketer of classic radio shows in the world.

Then during the filming of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ I visited the set in Rome. Seeing first hand what Mel was creating, and encountering his vision for the film, made a profound and lasting impression on me.

One night, over two years ago, while reading to my children from the Bible, the vision of a dramatized version of the Bible began to take shape in my heart. Why not engage the powerful medium of audio to impact lives with the Word of God as the radio shows from yesterday impacted me as a child? We could reach more people.

Only a few years later and by the profound grace of God, the combined efforts of an incredibly talented group of artisans have brought forth an audio New Testament that I believe will stand the test of time. I've never been more excited or passionate about a project and I want to thank God and everyone who has touched this in their own unique way...especially you. Savor these eternal words "which will not pass away" and may many blessings be yours as a result.

God Bless,

Carl Amari
CEO, Falcon Picture Group
Producer, The Word of Promise

The Voices of Promise

From AudioFile
Boasting a cast of notable actors, THE WORD OF PROMISE provides a captivating rendering of the New Testament. This production brings to life the Gospels, combining enlivening sound effects, intense dialogue, and illuminating music. Jim Caviezel delivers a compelling performance of Jesus, with a steady tone that can as effectively recount parables as reenact the crucifixion. Following the theatrical portrayal of the life of Jesus, the remaining books shift in narrative character. More philosophical in nature, each book is read as a continuous monologue by one narrator, with fewer interludes of dialogue. Among the variety of actors, Stacy Keach boldly portrays the message of Paul, and Michael York eloquently recounts Acts and Hebrews. Overall, the production is engaging for the listener and well executed. T.D.M. 2008 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Customer Reviews

The Word of Promise - A Review Upon Listening to It All
Since I have now listened to the entire NT, I wanted to comment on the Word of Promise New Testament Audio Bible.

I'll preface by saying that I am a Christian who loves the Bible but who has been disappointed over the years with the various audio bibles available.

A brief survey.

In my opinion the greatest audio presentation to date by a single reader is Alexander Scourby's reading of both the King James Version and the Revised Standard Version (no longer available). Mr. Scourby's reading is effortless, beautiful, and he delivers the words of the bible with the right emotional weight almost without exception. A phenomenal performance.

Other single readers include Max McLean who has an odd way of emphasizing words/phrases at times that brings attention to himself and the oddity rather than realistically delivering the words in a believable manner. Marquis Laughlin does a better job but still tends to over dramatize too often when not called for by the text. James Earl Jones' great voice is alas trapped in a version with poor background music that is very distracting and artificial.

The "dramatic" editions of most audio bibles that feature a cast of speakers too often sound very amateurish. Dialog and narrative are not delivered well much of the time and the results frequently sound like a group of individuals taken from any number of Sunday School Classes around a community and placed before microphones. Well meaning attempts to be sure, but distracting for listeners who know what good performance artists can deliver and who want desperately to hear someone read the bible as it may have actually been spoken.

Which brings me to the Word of Promise.

Overall, the Word of Promise delivers the level of audio performance I have been waiting for decades to experience. The actors do what real actors do best -- they put you into the moment by successfully delivering their lines (dialog or narrative) in a way that is fundamentally believable. It is the "you are there and listening in" experience that recreates the moment.

Additionally, the original musical score and realistic sound effects enhance the spoken words effectively to further produce the greatest sense of time and presence of any audio bible to date. When Paul is writing/reading his letters, you hear the faint scratching of the dip pen in the background. At times he stops to pour a drink or shut a window or door, etc. All this is done as well as anything produced by the movie studios in terms of music and sound. It is difficult to imagine how this aspect of this production could be made better.

Now as to the performances.

Overall, the actors succeed in taking us back to the 1st century and allowing us to experience the people of the New Testament. A few examples are noted below.

Jim Caviezel (Jesus) - Mr. Caviezel succeeds overall, but not without some disappointment. Whether related to the range of his voice or other factors, he reads a number of passages with too little emphasis (flat), or with a choppy cadence that is monotonous. Several of his long teaching passages in Matthew, Mark, and Luke have this effect. It is not bad, not even distracting most of the time, it is just that one could have imagined him doing it a little better. On the other hand, his readings in the Gospel of John are breathtaking -- especially during Jesus' teachings at the last supper with his disciples. Just outstanding. So overall, Mr. Caviezel turns in a very good performance of Jesus throughout, and at times, superb.

Lou Gossett, Jr. (John) - The moment Mr. Gossett begins reading the first few lines of the Gospel of John, you know you are in for something special. His voice is full of all things awesome and mysterious. He brings you into the book and into his world completely. His reading also of the letters of John and Revelation is just as great. It is worth the price of the Word of Promise just to experience the Gospel of John in the hands of Mr. Gossett and Mr. Caviezel.

Ernie Hudson (Peter) - Mr. Hudson reads as Peter with obvious desire and earnestness, and so I appreciate his effort. But whenever he speaks he reminds me of the movie "Ghostbusters" (of which he was one of the stars). Sorry, but his vocalizations just do not convey a sense that you are listening to Peter.

Michael York (Narrator) - Mr. York introduces the books of the New Testament and also narrates. My comment here regards his reading of the book of Hebrews. I'm sorry to say it but his reading of Hebrews is perhaps the worst performance of the entire work. Normally, Mr. York's voice is one of the great voices in the entertainment industry. His reading of C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe" is wonderful. The problem is that he reads Hebrews with the same "Once upon a time...." lilting voice that belongs more at home with children stories. The writer of Hebrews was an intellectual of the stature of the Apostle Paul. A voice similar to that of Mr. Keach would have been a better choice.

Stacy Keach (Paul) - Mr. Keach is outstanding as Paul. His voice and readings convey intelligence, conviction, sympathy, and strength. He has wonderful control of his voice and the producers made an outstanding choice in their selection of him for this very important role.

In summary, the actors overall are impressive in their roles (thanks no doubt to fine direction), and the team has produced a work that will be enjoyed by millions for many years to come.

Compelling words
Most people have said, "I wish I could read the bible cover to cover." Many have tried with limited success. A few who have spoken to me, when I have spoken at appearances. Some have suggested there should be a bible on audio.

There have been versions of the New Testament brought onto the audio format with such celebrities like Gregory Peck, Pat Boone, James Earl Jones and Johnny Cash. These people have done great narrating efforts in speaking of the gospels. Moreover, many who have been intriguing with these audio productions. A few have been honest and said these audios tended to drone on with one vocal talent. No matter how good he is in his rendition of the testament.

A few years ago, Carl Amari from Falcon Pictures group brought to the spoken word format, audio adaptions in a radio theater style of The Twilight Zone episodes. Before I received this production, I knew Carl was involved and knew this set was a project of quality.

And it is. The talent in front and behind the microphone showcases a excellence audio showcase that will not bore, even the casual listener. Jim Caviezel, who portrayed Jesus in Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, does the vocal honors as Jesus. His vocals alone holds this project together . His gentle timbers shows a kind and a gentle man who was also a god of men.


The rest of the major cast is an A list of film and movie actors. Most are experts in audio books or audio theater. Such talents like Lou Diamond Phillips (Mark), John Heard (Matthew), John Schneider (James), Terence Stamp (The voice of God), Stacy Keach (Paul). Louis Gossett jr (John), Marisa Tomei (Mary Magdelene) and Luke Perry (Judas) make this audio presentation more of an event than just simple piece of spoken word. There are over 100 voice parts in this production, if you can not tell as well.

One would wonder, would I put the bible in a higher regard than a simple audio? I say yes and this bible delivers both as education and entertainment. The words are compelling. The actors know their craft and bring this testament to a life it has never known before on an audio format

It is a gift that anyone can enjoy with friends and family.It inspires. in its zealousness of recanting the story of Christ. It is a comfort that in a CD format this can be listened to anywhere.

So why aren't you listening to this yet?

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD

Surprisingly Potent
I really had my doubts about this one. The use of mainstream actors and the "theater" concept gave me the impression that this was just another step in the fall of Christianity in America, as we continually try to make the message more appealing to the mainstream and sacrifice a lot of substance in the process. However, I was dead wrong. This is an incredibly powerful way to study the Word! Being a stodgy old man (okay, I'm in my 20's), I've really forgotten about the large difference between hearing and reading the Bible, but this was a reminder that faith comes by "hearing the word," and there is something truly inspiring about this production. As odd as it seems to me, I will be one of the first in line for the Old Testament.

As to the other reviewer's concern about a lack of "righteous anger," I really had the opposite view. In some places where Jesus was warning people in love, I felt the actor portrayed a more indignant or cold emotion. This just illustrates that they could have never decided on a script that everyone would agree with. The Word is what is is, though, and I truly appreciate this compelling format, regardless of a few potential stumbles or controversial intonations.