Marian Theologian Reacts: Netflix Gets Mary Wrong in New Film

[@JamesRobertson-o7t]

Everyone just relax - this is a MOVIE not a Documentary. Sure they took some artistic license but as a traditional cradle Catholic I can tell you the quality of the production and acting surrounding the message of love and hope in this film was a wonderful message for all but especially for young women. If you have young women or girls In your family they should watch this film - It will inspire them with courage and love to face the world.

[@adae2125]

We Catholics should do an accurate movie about Mary, her immaculate conception to the Coronation. Count me in on such a project!

[@rickyricardo21]

There's one coming out on the 12th by the Marian Fathers called "I Am the Immaculate Conception"

[@eddihaskell]

Catholic friends, I am not Catholic (I am Jewish) but very appreciative and supportive of the Caholic Faith. For example, I really like the 1940's movie "The Song of Bernadette". r I have a question for you. I watched the Netflix movie on Mary and generally enjoyed it. It shows Mary and Joeseph as good Jewish people living in a horrible time for Jews- under pagan Roman occupation. IKing Herod-- who was actually not born a Jew but imposed on the people by Rome (he married a Jewish Princess) was opposed by the two most important Jewish factions -- the Pharisees and Temple Presthood. Herod was a great builder but a monster. I liked that, it got the history right. But here is my question for Catholics. What I found strange is the portrayal of Satan. For Jews, Satan is a bad inclination -- some believe a fallen angel, but Satan can in no way can act independently of The Lord. In the movie, Satan was absolutely denomic, way too powerful, and would be able to tempt Mary to the extent he did unless The Lord permitted it -- correct?

[@helenajudd8449]

Thank you Father. Like you - I found some of the film very moving. It did have violent parts in the film that I wish they didn’t show. This moving did bring me closer to wanting to know more about Anne and Joachim, and Simeon and Anna. I also better understood how Joseph and Mary’s relationship could work as “love” but not sexual. I also learned to love Joseph more through this film’s portrayal of Joseph - which I’ve struggled to understand why he has such a devotion of followers. You are right - not a perfect film, but it did have a positive impact one me.

[@texaslocoman1]

Where did they get st Joseph killing and riding horses?

[@Star_yt7-o4M]

Father, I agree with you on that’s not the Mary that I know. They didn’t portray the Virgen Mary as the Immaculate Conception of the Virgen Mary. Born without original sin. I am a practicing Catholic.

[@edgarbarbosa7271]

Also when She went to Elizabeth, Elizabeth discover she was bearing the messiah but Luke 1:39-42 said the following 39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!.

[@tb2000058]

43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

[@erniebellinetti7590]

Five minutes into the movie I was already concerned about the distortions of Scripture and lack of faithfulness to Biblical truth. The movie is a total false gospel that does not present the true heart of Mary, Joseph or Jehovah Father God. My wife and I quit watching at the scene where the mob is trying to stone Mary. The New Testament scriptures do not support this as a real historical occurrence. In fact in the Book of Matthew 1:19-24 when Joseph discovers that Mary is pregnant. He decides he would quietly divorce her to avoid shaming her publicly and exposing her to being stoned to death. Then he has a dream where the angel tells him that Mary is pregnant supernaturally by the power of the Holy Spirit. And that he should immediately complete their betrothal vows to make her his wife. So the mob scene is a total fabrication and it depicts Joseph as an immature hot head instead of the thoughtful "righteous" mature man described in Scripture. In fact i do not think this encounter by Joseph with the angel is even in the movie at all. There were several other important points in the movie prior to that stoning scene that were misleading or false. For example when Mary visits her relative Elizabeth. We read in Luke 1:39-45 that Elizabeth exclaims in a loud voice: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" And that her baby leaped for joy in her womb. Yet in the movie Elizabeth speaks this softly to Mary almost in a whisper as if to not let anyone hear her. BUT The most glaring failure of the movie's presentation of this scene with Mary and Elizabeth is the complete omission of Mary's beautiful song of worshipful praise found in Luke 1:46-55. The movie completely leaves out this beautiful praise to God known as The Magnificant. WHY? I suspect the motivation of the screen writers and movie producers. My guess is that It gives God too much glory and is laser focused on Jesus real mission as Savior of Humankind There are many other gross and subtle errors and omissions in this movie's presentation of Marys life and Jesus birth. In fact the over riding problem with this movie is human effort is emphasized to the point that Mary's unique role in God's redemptive plan for humankind through Jesus The Messiah is diminished and ignored. The movie adds nothing to Christian faith and practice. In fact it is destructive. The movie is a lie crafted by the father of all lies, satan. Who lurks around like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour, shame, rob, kill and destroy. (John 8:44; John 10:10 & 1 Peter 5:8) The Apostle Paul warned: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things..... " (2 Timothy 4:3-5) The Bible has plenty of compelling truthful life drama without Hollywood's contrived efforts to embellish the Truth into a lie.

[@kalualauber1921]

This is so well written and honest. Thank you for bringing this to those of us who have difficulty explaining this to our non-Catholic friends.

[@murad0530]

But the movie DID portrayed Mary as the immaculate conception. Did you not listen to her father said to her or Anna. As for Joseph, he stopped Lucifer. Cont

[@faustomelluso9241]

It’s true father, she’s not Mary mother of Jesus that we love so much, it’s another Mary.

[@ChristiEleison73]

Sancta Maria Mater Dei, Ora Pro Nobis 🙏💙🙏

[@liamgekzua477]

So what is the perfect story

[@texaslocoman1]

The movie is totally biblically inaccurate. The Magi didn't come until 2 years later.

[@catsanddogs8983]

I think its best not to fill our head with dramatizations of things that are not Scripturally accurate or just not really addressed at all in the Bible. Movies can really stick in my head and thoughts.

[@prtz3923]

Just watched the movie. I am here to find out how accurate it was.

[@danielnelson9411]

If you take a few minutes to read the biblical account, you will find that it does not line up with scripture. The movue is trash.

[@markjz2011]

Angel Gabriel was depicted as dark and scary 👎🏼 Wrong! Mary has pain during labor 👎🏼 Wrong! 👇🏼

[@murad0530]

Cont. as for the movie, it may not as what Catholic believe about Mary but that movie In a strange way that Mary is The Immolate Conception and the ark of the covenant . How? Lucifer was unable to touch her.

[@texaslocoman1]

Anne had another daughter Salome. That she couldn't have children might be inaccurate.

[@DenverTorres-we6yj]

I agree Father. I’ve watched the movie a couple times and saw Joel olsteen as a producer and it shut me off from the film. There were some good things and bad things. Follow fathers advice. The only thing I got from it that I meditate on is Mary’s time in the temple her work and prayer like a religious and her mystical gifts she had from God that were shown from the butterflies to Herod seeing through her a vision of the passion. But nothing more after that. It was mixed for me. Meh.

[@tricia4563]

I wish there were more good, theologically sound, catholic movies. I'm hesitant to watch anything that isn't and have learned to look for religious leaders approval before trusting any media title or hype.

[@chiara1194]

The Protties are triggered by the “non-biblical” content. Catholics are triggered by Mary’s labor pains. Orthodox are triggered because Joseph is young. Me? I’m triggered by all those AWFUL HATS and ugly Star-wars-y costumes! Seriously, though, this movie had all of this content from the non-canonical infancy narratives, and I love me some Saints Joachim and Anne, but it missed some of the CRITICAL BIBLICAL content. The biggest mistake was Mary telling Gabriel “that’s not possible!” instead of respectfully asking “how can this be?” Zechariah was silenced for doubting God like that! Where was the Magnificat or the angel appearing to Joseph? *smh* If you can get past Mary’s labor pains, a much more subtle and beautiful film is “The Nativity Story” starring Oscar Isaac as Saint Joseph (yes, please! 😍). It was because of that movie that I developed a huge devotion to Saint Joseph. ❤️

[@eddihaskell]

We know that the Jewish High Priest (who was a Roman Appointee at the time and under full contol of the Roman Governor when they controlled Judea) wore a fancy outfit daily: Ephod, Breastplate. Robe. Tunic Turban Belt Crown Pants: The High Priest's garments were intended to be both beautiful and glorious. The robe was decorated with bells and pomegranates that would make noise as the priest moved, drawing attention to him. The High Priest's breastplate also included the Urim and Thummim, which were used to consult God for judgment. On the Day of Atonement (Yom Kipper) , the High Priest would wear special linen garments that were made anew each year. The lesser Priests and Levites (temple assistants and musicians) wore much simpler outfits -- many wore white -- and changed them according to what role they were doing. They are hardly the bizarre outfits you mention, many of which look pagan, are bizarre aren't they? Jesus and other Jews who rejected the Roman-controlled and Temple Priestood form of Judaism at the time (emerging Rabbinical Judaism), and other sects (the Essenes in the Dead Sea area) dressed like plan ordinatry people --- or aestetics wearing simple, plain clothes.

[@allybelle7022]

Too much VIOLENCE in this movie.

[@texaslocoman1]

Joseph killing and riding horses lol

[@elsamanaloto]

Mary is without sin? I didn’t know there was another perfect human except Jesus

[@edgarbarbosa7271]

The early christians believed so.

[@GotNobitches-un2iw]

Who else was standing on a moon with a crown having 12 stars surrounding it?

[@821andrews]

How can Mary be in state of sin as she bear the Divine Jesus? Mary is sinless bcoz she had to bore Jesus who is stainless.

[@danielnelson9411]

​​ Your logic is flawed. Both Mary and Messiah had a mother. Mary's mother wasn't sinless. And if you believe Mary was born sinless because she was born of God, then certainly Messiah would be born sinless for the same reason. The miraculous conception was Messiah not Mary. Stop with the women's lib movement.

[@jewelboxballerina]

Yeah. That's what all Protestants say before their conversion to Catholicism. Happy Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception! 😁

[@KeeshaByrne]

Joel olsten moment I heard his name no thank you I love our lady don't think I'll watch

[@SaintlySaavy]

Ditto! That’s all I needed to hear.

[@sharonmendez3056]

I watched the movie noting close the reality, looked more like a fairytale story. Hope the creator of choose decide to make one.

[@texaslocoman1]

Mary is the mother of God in the flesh.

[@johnbrowne2170]

Treat Mary like a God or the church will freak out.

[@danielnelson9411]

My aunt believed the immaculate conception was Mary. I just laughed.😅

[@wowaone340]

hello fellow protestant

[@jewelboxballerina]

The Simpson's depiction of Protestant heaven is probably accurate. 🤣🤣🤣

[@hajiabdulrahman3105]

The movie have wrong and right , the word savior and Messiah were wrong as Jesus denied being a Messiah and the Messiah would come from the Southern land, the Arab man, Jesus is prophet and Mary is the mother of a prophet of God are correct.Angel came to tell Mary would concieve a baby that would become a prophet of God is correct.Do not mess with the promise of God through his angel.God is powerful .When God says to Moses , ""I am that I am meaning."" God is firm not to be mess around by his creature .What do you think of creation of hell and paradise.Hell is for those messing wth God and paradise is for the obediance. A prophet duty is to convey message of God not as a savior some would believe and obey and some become one that go against. Most of the time people go against the teaching of the prophet ,be it Moses, let alone Jesus ,even wanting to kill the Prophet of God if not falsified his message.By decieving people telling introducing the false teaching with the promise of salvation .Salvation will slip from you ,if you only believe Jesus as a Prophet as told by angel to Mary, you have to believe he is more than that.

[@billerd2a252]

I don’t believe Mary was born without sin but became sinless after the annunciation.

[@ViFabulous]

I watched the movie start to finish. I never envisioned Mary as a petulant, disrespectful teenager as she's portrayed. Not sure why the angel Gabriel is so terrifying? He's slightly more comforting than Lucifer. Anthony Hopkins as Herod was brilliant yet poorly thought out casting. Herod's daughter Salome looked to be in her 20s at the time of Jesus's birth yet she's the one who asked her father, Herod, for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Sooo we think she asked for that when she was in her 50s and her dad over 100yo? Mary is revered in Catholicism and Islam. Most protestant sects include her as Jesus's mom but that's about it. Catholics believe Mary was immaculately conceived and was the perfect vessel to carry Jesus. The Koran has an entire chapter dedicated to her. Did I hate the movie. No. Did i think it was wonderful? No. I read the book "Heaven is for Real" many years ago. It was about a little boy's near death experience. The family is Christian ?Baptist maybe. The boy had a very real Catholic encounter with Jesus. He told his parents and pastor that Jesus was on the throne and his mom was on one side and angels on the other side (I believe). He told them "Jesus had markers on his hands." The stigmata. He told his mom he met his sister, mom had a miscarriage she never told the child about. Rev. TD Jakes was the executive producer of the movie. he removed ALL references that were Catholic teachings. Why??? The book was much better than the movie. I like Joel Osteen, I think he's an uplifting preacher. That said, he has no Marian reverence or knowledge that I know of and it shows in this movie.

[@stephencodekas3745]

In fairness, angels always say don't be afraid so they are probably terrifying

[@ViFabulous]

@@stephencodekas3745 I've always seen angels portrayed as light. The paintings in the Vatican and Sistine Chapel all portray angels as beacons of light and faith.