The DVD:
The Holy Bible: Complete King James Version - Old and New Testament is a very interesting idea, in theory. The concept in and of itself is deceptively simple. Get a famous voice to read the entire Bible, divide up the narration over two different discs (one for each 'witnessing'), provide actual text on the screen for followers to reflect on, and use the inherent complexities of DVD to help create clever navigational schemes. When completed, you end up with a semi-interactive presentation with heartfelt expressions of the Gospel's greater truths meshed with the marvels and convenience of the home theater format and experience. And for the most part, this intriguing two disc set does just that. You can sit down with this package, pick out a chapter, listen to an entire book (or whole Testament), or focus on certain passages, all without ever having to pick up an actual manuscript. For those who are blind, unable to read with sufficient comprehension, use English as a second language, or have some other malady that prevents them from appreciating the written word, this visual representation is a Godsend (forgive the pun). It is clear, definitive, and not without its charismatic charms. But beyond said limited logistics, this will be a bit of a gimmick for your standard card carrying Christian. Do you really need to watch as someone reads The Bible to you, especially when the only imagery available for reflection is a sing-along style karaoke concept for text?

True, Alexander Scourby has a magnificent voice, the kind of smooth, sonorous tones that make the archaic language of the Good Book appear significantly less baroque. But this is still the King James version of the original writing, a prose overloaded with easily lampooned language (just ask The Simpsons). Someone expecting the post-millennial media format to somehow transform the scripture into something more hip or happening will need to look elsewhere. Also, this is not really a visual presentation. Sure, we get to see the specific verses being read, but there are no images or sense of optical ambience here. In essence, this is just a very advanced slideshow. Finally, from a contextual point of view, The Bible is an intriguing work of literature. This critic, having studied it both in its intended (religious) and fictional (literary) facets remains intrigued by certain stories and many of the magnificent Proverbs. There are elements here that sound just plain silly (Scourby just can't rescue the overblown sturm and drang of Revelations) and not every element of The Bible presents a stirring motivational or moralistic missive. And this video version doesn't allow you the chance to meditate or annotate. Scourby reads at a relatively clipped pace (he's got to squeeze in all 70 hours on two DVDs, mind you) and unless you intend on defacing your TV screen, notes are right out. For some, this will be a welcome addition to their own personal exploration of faith. For others, it's a novelty that nullifies the main purpose of the book itself.