Approved for 12+

The Bible Stories: Esther

As a girl living under Persian rule, Esther was kidnapped and taken into the harem of the king. The king, taken by her beauty, made her his queen, and she found herself involved in a delicate balancing act between the ruling Persians and her own Jewish people. The king's chief minister hoped to see the Jews annihilated, but thanks to Esther's intercession the Jews were able to destroy their enemies.
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Dove Review

This is a well done production and telling of the story of Esther from the Bible. Louise Lombard plays the lead role exceptionally well with the right mixture of humility, kindness and leadership which make up this queen, chosen by King Ahasuerus himself (Thomas Kretschman). Also quite good is F. Murray Abraham as Mordecai, Esther’s kinsman and servant of God who plays a huge part in the story.

For those un-initiated with this biblical story, the king of Persia vanquishes his queen whom he no longer cares for, Queen Vashti. Virgins from all around the kingdom are trained in proper etiquette and brought before him. Among them is Esther who is a Jew and, with her unassuming ways and kind heart, wins the king’s love and marriage and becomes the new queen of Persia. A ruthless man named Haman, who hates Mordecai and all the Jews, begins to plot their demise. When it appears he is about to succeed, Mordecai petitions Esther to go before the king to plead for mercy. As he says, perhaps she was given this position for such a time as this. Although no one, not even the queen, is supposed to go before the king without being summoned or they risk the penalty of death, she and her people fast and she does indeed go before the king with her plea. The outcome is amazing and this is a nice production which takes a little artistic license but remains faithful to the heart of this amazing Bible story.

Its themes of courage, love and devotion are timeless and to be appreciated and we gladly award this movie our Dove “Family-Approved” Seal. It is amazing and inspiring! It’s a remarkable story about how one person can change the destiny of people.

Dove Rating Details

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Faith

None

0
Integrity

There is a brief hanging scene in which a wicked man is quickly seen hanging but it is from a distance and the man is already dead and doesn't move in the brief scene; it is stated that some rebels against the king have been executed; a fight between the Jews and Persians and the Jewish race survives.

2
Sex

A virgin by the law of the Persian kingdom must agree to spend the night with the king but the king marries Esther and God uses her to influence the king's heart toward kindness and mercy for the Jewish people; kissing.

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Language

None

2
Violence

There is a brief hanging scene in which a wicked man is quickly seen hanging but it is from a distance and the man is already dead and doesn't move in the brief scene; it is stated that some rebels against the king have been executed; a fight between the Jews and Persians and the Jewish race survives.

1
Drugs

The drinking of wine; men plot to use poison to kill a character but they never get the chance.

2
Nudity

Cleavage; a woman is seen wearing a towel but nothing graphic is seen; a woman goes to see the king and her garment is a bit see-through and very briefly white undergarments or panties can be seen but the scene is not graphic.

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Other

There is a plot to poison the king.

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