Religion & Belief Systems

This edition of Biography, the long running documentary series from A&E, explores the life of King David. The second king of Israel, and the first of the dynasty that governed Judah and Israel until the exile, David was the youngest son of Jesse of Bethlehem. According to Jewish tradition he is the author of several of the Psalms, and according to some Christian traditions he is the ancestor of Jesus. He was a warrior under King Saul, but his successes against the Philistines (including the killing of Goliath) caused the king's jealousy, and he was forced to become an outlaw. After Saul's death, he became king over Judah in Hebron, and later was chosen king of all Israel. He made Jerusalem the political and religious centre of his kingdom, building a palace for himself on its highest hill, Zion, and placing the Ark of the Covenant there under a tent. He united the many tribes of Israel, and extended his territory from Egypt to the Euphrates. The later part of his reign was troubled by the revolts of his sons Absalom and Adonijah. He was succeeded by Solomon, his son by Bathsheba. ~ John Patrick Sheehan, All Movie Guide

Explore the life and preaching of evangelist Billy Graham in an analysis of his life's work and through interviews with people who know him best. From the early days of Graham's teachings in the 1940s to his work in the later part of the 20th century, this documentary includes the political, personal, and public life of Graham and a behind-the-scenes look at a Graham revival before an audience of 60,000. The documentary is followed by an in-depth conversation with the man himself about his relationships with famous and political figures and about the ups and downs of his life and his work. ~ Cecilia Cygnar, All Movie Guide

Pope John Paul II has definitely led a life filled with singular events. He is the first non-Italian Pope in nearly 500 years. Frontline: John Paul II - The Millennial Pope presents the historical side of this fascinating man's life. It chiefly focuses on the life of Karol Wojtyla and how he evolved into such a deeply religious man, eager to teach others about Christianity. The pope's early family losses, the Nazi invasion of his Polish city and other key events have all clearly helped shape this man's faith and belief in God. Includes footage of the Pope traveling and interacting with many of the world's Catholics. The viewer will also see some of the startling moments surrounding the assassination attempt made on Pope John II's life back in 1981. This video reminds everyone that a number of truly fateful events must occur in order to produce someone like John Paul II, the world's first Polish Pope. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide

This 50-minute video tells all about the life and enduring faith of Abraham. Learn why Christians, Jews and others revere the purity of Abraham's belief that God is always loving and would always stand by him. Scholars are interviewed who have spent their professional lives searching for proof that Abraham truly existed. They discuss what they have learned from the 1,500 cuneiform tablets discovered at the ancient city of Ebla. The narrator repeats the basic Old Testament story in which Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son. Viewers will hear many things that can help them decide whether they fully believe that it was Abraham's covenant with God that led to the birth of Israel. Also includes an informative visit to a number of historic and beautiful areas of Israel. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide

The Story of Gospel Music provides a thorough overview of the history and performers of gospel vintage recordings. Viewers feast their eyes and ears on some of the most soulful concert footage ever recorded. The biggest names in spiritual music, including Aretha Franklin, Mahalia Jackson, The Edwin Hawkins Singers, The Dixie Hummingbirds, The Reverend Thomas Dorsey, and The Fisk Jubilee Singers perform. The program was originally broadcast on PBS's Great Performances series. ~ Betsy Boyd, All Movie Guide

For this Swiss-German documentary, filmmaker/Sinologist Ulrike Koch sneaked cameras into Tibet in order to film four men and 160 yak in a 2,000-year-old ritual -- the annual spring pilgrimage to gather raw salt at remote lakes, a three-month Himalayan trek. Camping along the way, they engage in prayers, talk, and songs. Following nomadic traditions, the saltmen make the return trip with salt in backpacks made from yak pelts. In addition to Tibetan chanting, the film's music includes a post-production blend of Hamburg musicians and native Tibetans. After a digital video transfer to film, the 108-minute documentary was shown at several 1997 film festivals, including (Sundance, Vienna, Taormina, and Pusan). ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Acclaimed actor Robin Williams narrates this heartfelt look at a Belgian priest whose selfless determination to ease the suffering of others came at the height of Hawaii's horrific leprosy epidemic. The year was 1872 and leprosy was sweeping through the Hawaiian islands. In a desperate bid to isolate the disease and prevent it from spreading any further than it already had, the government quickly established a bleak and remote leprosy settlement on the island of Molokai. Abandoned by their fellow man and forced to live on an island that had no medical care, scarce food, and minimal shelter, the quarantined population of Molokai seemed doomed to die an unimaginable death. Despite the perceived loss of hope in that dark hour, relief would soon come when in 1883 a youthful Belgian priest requested to be transferred to the island in order to care for the ailing leprosy victims. In the years that followed Father Damien would serve as an angel of mercy to hundreds of suffering people whose slow and grueling deaths would have otherwise been as lonely as they were painful. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Named after a Sufi word that translates roughly as "breath of life" or "blessing," Baraka is Ron Fricke's impressive follow-up to Godfrey Reggio's non-verbal documentary film Koyaanisqatsi. Fricke was cinematographer and collaborator on Reggio's film, and for Baraka he struck out on his own to polish and expand the photographic techniques used on Koyaanisqatsi. The result is a tour-de-force in 70mm: a cinematic "guided meditation" (Fricke's own description) shot in 24 countries on six continents over a 14-month period that unites religious ritual, the phenomena of nature, and man's own destructive powers into a web of moving images. Fricke's camera ranges, in meditative slow motion or bewildering time-lapse, over the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, the Ryoan-Ji temple in Kyoto, Lake Natron in Tanzania, burning oil fields in Kuwait, the smoldering precipice of an active volcano, a busy subway terminal, tribal celebrations of the Masai in Kenya, chanting monks in the Dip Tse Chok Ling monastery...and on and on, through locales across the globe. To execute the film's time-lapse sequences, Fricke had a special camera built that combined time-lapse photography with perfectly controlled movements of the camera. In one evening sequence a desert sky turns black, and the stars roll by, as the camera moves slowly forward under the trees. The feeling is like that of viewing the universe through a powerful telescope: that we are indeed on a tiny orb hurtling through a star-filled void. The film is complemented by the hybrid world-music of Michael Stearns. ~ Anthony Reed, All Movie Guide

What does Confucius say? A&E can answer that. This edition of the award winning series Biography profiles the Chinese philosopher. Born in the state of Lu (modern Shantung), by the time Confucius was fifteen he had resolved to devote himself to learning. His father died when he was just three and young Confucius was a shepherd, cow heard, bookkeeper and clerk at various times to help support his mother.

Largely self-educated, he married Chi-Kuan at nineteen and became a local administrator. In 531 BC began his career as a teacher. In 501 BC he was appointed Governor of Chung-tu, then minister of works, and later minister of justice. His ideas for social reform made him the idol of the people; but his political enemies caused him to leave Lu, and he traveled widely, followed by his many disciples.

He later edited the ancient writings, and the Confucian Analects, memorabilia compiled soon after his death, are a collection of his sayings and doings. His moral teaching stressed the importance of the traditional relations of filial piety and brotherly respect and have been an important part of Chinese culture for over 2000 years. ~ John Patrick Sheehan, All Movie Guide

What does the future hold? What does the Bible predict for us? Are the ends times near? These and other questions are explored in this video on the study of biblical prophesy -- what it has predicted in the past, and what its students claim lies in our future. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Lucy Walker directed this documentary about a little-known facet of Amish life. Although the Amish live in traditionally conservative enclaves, shunning modern conveniences and electricity while favoring a strict code of conduct and dress, they do have a moment in their lives known as "rumspringa." When an Amish child turns 16, they are allowed to interact with and take part in life away from their upbringing. This film follows a handful of teenagers as they break from their past and experiment with drinking, drugs, and driving (possibly for the only time in their lives). Devil's Playground was screened at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Ismael Fernandez de la Cuesta leads this performance of Gregorian chants from the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries. The concert was recorded at the Basilica and Pantheon of San Isidoro in Leon and the program also includes footage of Spain's historical churches and cathedrals as well as interviews with prominent experts on religion. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide