As we know, Ridley Scott has decided to get into the Old Testament business. Scott made Exodus: Of Gods and Kings… with nearly an all-white cast. Christian Bale plays Moses and Joel Edgerton plays Rhamses. The film looks like a total mess, but I’m a bad judge of Biblical epics for the most part (they make me sleepy). I’m not really sure why Bale thought it would be a good idea to take on the role of Moses, but there’s a possibility that he just wanted to work with Ridley Scott, maybe. Because in recent comments, it sounds like Bale doesn’t think much of Moses.
On his role as Moses, Christian Bale recently made it plain to reporters in Los Angeles that he wasn’t playing Moses as the benevolent old leader we remember from Charlton Heston’s portrayal. “I think the man was likely schizophrenic and was one of the most barbaric individuals that I ever read about in my life,” the forty-year-old star said. “He’s a very troubled and tumultuous man who fought greatly against God, against his calling. He was a very troubled, tumultuous man and mercurial. But the biggest surprise was the nature of God. He was equally very mercurial “
[From Christianity Today & The Mail]
As you can imagine, Bale’s comments are now a thing. The studio had hoped to tap into the Evangelical Christian community’s hunger for more Biblical films but now most communities of faith (Christian and Jewish) are like, “Ugh, really?” One writer, Brian Godawa, summarizes the conflict:
“It’s accurate to portray Moses as an imperfect hero, so Christians won’t take issue with that,” he said. “But to be so extreme as to call him one of the most barbaric people in history, that sounds like he’s going out of his way to distance himself from the very people you’d think he wants to appeal to. It tells me that he’s worried about Hollywood peer approval while looking down on the public, because he certainly doesn’t want to be associated with the religious or the far right.”
Ha, Hollywood peer approval. To be fair to Hollywood, I doubt many executives really care about a theological debate on the nature of Moses. All they care about is $$$ and now Bale might have alienated a built-in fanbase for the film. Classic Bale.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame/Flynet.
Weird, sounds like words I would use to describe Bale.
Casting genius.
Lol
That’s what I though, too – “like himself?”
Yikes. I’ll give you “troubled” @MIMIF but could we not toss “schizophrenic” around like it’s a personality trait? It’s a serious illness and not applicable to anyone who happens to be somewhat temperamental like Bale.
Mia, Bale brought up the adjectives, not mimif.
Sorry if my post made you feel somewhat temperamental, Mia4s.
“Sounds like words I would use to describe Bale.”
@mimif: You did imply you would use the term ‘schizophrenic’ to describe someone who is definitely not actually schizophrenic. The implication certainly is that you would use the term flippantly. I didn’t take it as personally as Mia4S, but there’s not reason to get nasty when she called you out on it.
Going a day without a db is like a day without sunshine.
I didn’t mean to use words that implied I was being flippantly nasty, Scarlet Vixen. Sorry if My apology made you feel somewhat temperamental.
mimif, Shut your face.
Such vitriol, Kiddo. Jeez you sound like a raving lunatic. Oh, wait…
Mimif
You are misinformed.
FWIW, I agree with you. Strongly.
It’s alright, Mimif. I accept your apology.
Hahah Right on Mimif…. Id also decribe Moses and Pharaoh as PROBABLY NOT WHITE?!?
Hella Casting on this one in 2014 ffs
Well… he’s right…!
Still no comment about the white washing on EVERY character in the movie tho, right?
Crazy recognizes crazy.
The whole “Christian” Bale playing one of the most revered Jewish prophets in the Bible. Of course, Heston wasn’t either, and in Hollywood it is about who is best for the part so they say. But there are never middle eastern people used in any biblical films from those about Jesus to this. Always Europeans.
Moses probably was troubled, so I don’t disagree with that. Jesus probably was too.
LOL “Christian” plays Moses; thanks for pointing out that little irony.
I’m a bit curious who will play Moses’ wife. Since she was an Ethiopian.
A white woman from Spain is playing her. Yep. The woman the Bible describes as a Kushite is white in this one. That’s partly why I don’t think I’ll be seeing this – because it’s going to strain credulity at every turn.
A white woman from Spain? What a joke.
There is serious debate whether this is Zipporah his first wife or a second wife. Zipporah was portrayed earlier in Exodus as a Midian which were descendants of Abraham through his second wife which would mean they came from the same people as the Jews. The verse in Numbers goes out of it’s way to differentiate that this woman was Ethiopian. Could very well be two different people. Either way Miriam was wrong to feel jealous of the woman and the Lord took care of it.
As for Moses and Bale’s characterization, he clearly didn’t go to many sources or read about the same guy. I think too many people take the Heston movie as fact when much of it was make believe. There is no place in the bible that states that Moses was a warrior prince. Every indication was that Moses was humble, stuttered, and generally wanted nothing to do with public life. The Lord chose him and he stepped up but even he got frustrated with the people after awhile. Does this make him schizophrenic? I don’t think so, he was placed in charge of over a million people always complaining for 40 yrs at him, having to make judgements etc. As Godwa says the man was flawed but even God said he was a humble meek man.
It bugs me when they have people who wouldn’t have spoken English speaking English. I prefer the authenticity of the native language.
Any picture of Moses is going to be open to interpretation because, theologically speaking, we’re not sure he existed. It’s possible he existed largely as the Bible said he did, although the Exodus story is pretty disputed. It’s possible he is a composite of different individuals, and it’s possible he is a myth.
However, Bale’s comments are going to alienate a lot of people. Moses is an incredibly central figure – especially in Judaism. Moses is associated with the creation of Jewish Law, the liberation from Egypt and is possibly the biggest influence upon Judaism today. In addition, many forms of Christianity revere Moses. So yes, Bale stepped in it. But I also totally get what he is saying. If you read Exodus, it is very hard to reconcile the loving God of Jesus with the baby-killer from Exodus. That’s why Christians are so torn over the Old Testament and how it fits with the New one. That’s also why I tend to regard Exodus as more story than fact – because if you do take it as fact, what kind of God are you believing in?
Plus, if Moses was hearing voices, schizophrenic would seem to be an accurate description. He is playing a role, as a human, and humans are imperfect. Certainly the actions of god could be described as mercurial in terms of both the angry wrath and forgiving gentleness stories in the bible.
Certainly. I think Bale was trying to make a point that Moses would not be able to suceed today because he would be instantly assumed to be mentally ill. People forget that Bale is looking at this through a modern lens. However, it’s also clear to me that he’s actually read Exodus and knows his stuff from this quote. Moses did greatly resist everything he was told to do by God. He made clear that it pained him greatly to allow suffering to happen. Moses was a complex, flawed person, and it sounds like Bale recognizes it. He is certainly not wrong in this case, and it sucks that he’s going to be lambasted for it.
You know, now that I think about Moses does fit the Schizophrenia typology. The hallucinations *cough* …..I mean ‘visions’. The hearing of voices giving him instructions. The messiah complex, “let my people go” or whatever. Hmmm.
Sam, you make a good point, but Bale should have chosen his words more carefully. He’s an intelligent man and a fine actor but he seems wrong for the part. Mostly, I blame Ridley Scott for attempting this remake, in the first place. He should have learned from his revisionist flop, “Robin Hood.”
Yes, he should have, given that he is promoting a film that hoped to make a lot of money off of religious folks. But then again, maybe he doesn’t much care.
Biblical epics, by and large, shouldn’t be done now. I actually watched “Noah” for the first time last week and let’s just say it did not move me. It went all for the protrayal of Noah as a paranoid fanatic with a terrible cruel streak. Which is really sort of at odds with the actual legend. I don’t mind Biblical epics that take liberties, but that one sort of took the cake for me. There wasn’t much biblical in it.
Touchy religious community is touchy. Allow the man an opinion. At least it is founded on his actual research for the role.
Nobody is arguing he cannot have an opinion. But it is deeply unwise to create a film that was intended to be heavily marketed to religious audiences and then critique one of the central figures of that religion. It is his right to believe it, and right to say it, but it can still be a dumb pr move.
… or perhaps it is a brilliant PR move – it makes people talk!
In any case, I wouldn’t expect actors to be masters of PR. I find it refreshing that people speak their minds instead of making bland pre-approved statements.
@Leftovers
This is where I’m falling on this one too. There is the growing backlash for the whitewashing so maybe Ridley talking about the flood in scientific terms instead of a miracle and Bale expressing this controversial opinion of Moses is a way to change the controversy to something other than the color of the cast and get more butts in theater seats . Controversy sells. Passion of the Christ made over 600,000,000 at the box office.
Omg. The movie isn’t even out yet. Let’s wait and see how all are portrayed. If they wanted to put out a factual film it would be a biography – this clearly isn’t one.
I love me some Bale, but I think this is a brilliant/slimy way to deflect all the white washing controversy.
But they shouldn’t get so riled about it. It’s his opinion. He’s an actor. pfft.
I too love me some Bale but I think he’s also justifying as an actor why he took this part. Moses as anti-hero.
I agree, I think he’s trying to express why he was interested in it to begin with. If people are offended by that and choose not to see it, that’s their choice.
If that´s how he feels about it,
why do the role, in the first Place?
I feel its very disrespectful.
By that logic, would every actor only have to play characters/people they like or think are good people? I imagine he found the character interesting and challenging, and that’s why he took the role.
Regardless of what you believe, Bale’s comments are disrespectful (and Heston will always be Moses, sorry). But it’s Ridley Scott who’s lost his mind trying to remake a Cecil B. DeMille classic like “The Ten Commandments.” Next, he’ll be trying to remake a Chaplin film.
Well, Heston may always be Moses to you, but others may see it differently though.
And I don’t find Bale’s comments disrespectful. He was trying to give an insight on his take of the movie role and what interested him in accepting to play that character. If this is how he sees it, why shouldn’t he be free to say so? Why do we expect every actor to come up with the standard ‘talk’ about a role, instead of giving us his/her honest opinion? I prefer it this way.
Agreed. We are told ad nauseum that we need to respect everyone’s beliefs so if this wasn’t about a man in the bible but about another religious figure would people be giving Christian a pass?
Yes, it matters that this is a biblical figure whom many people revere. I think Bale could have been more tactful. Of course, he’s entitled to his opinion but he’s also responsible for how he uses the language. So he’s deconstructing Moses because it’s more interesting. Okay, but don’t expect fawning accolades when you’re courting controversy. Maybe Allah will be next?
I’m not a fan of religion. I think all of it is a bunch of BS. So what he says doesn’t bother me in the least. You have every right to worship whom or whatever you want, but I will respectfully not partake.
Would you star in a religious film even though it goes against your beliefs?
I don’t think so. Because the meaning wouldn’t be as important to me. I guess what I’m saying is, I wouldn’t want to disrespect something that many cherish. It wouldn’t be able to relate.
Who said it was against his beliefs? He acted a guy who talks with a bush in fire and ordered to kill 3,000 ebrews so his opinion looks accurated
He didn’t say what his beliefs were. Although I’m agnostic, this: “He’s a very troubled and tumultuous man who fought greatly against God, against his calling“, would indicate, to me, that he has validated the existence of a god and the calling to service thereof.
I didn’t say it was against his beliefs. I don’t know what his views of religion, God or theology is. I’m only talking about myself. There are many people out there who are going to watch this film and are going to think he represents the story of Moses.
Those people shouldn’t trust Hollywood that much. Hollywood has no responsibility to teach and inform people. That said i would rather watch the paint dry rather than seeing this movie although i LOVE Christian Bale.
I don’t agree with calling anyone’s religion a bunch of BS.
Direct to DVD.
I blame Apple for these rumors, she’s always had a sneaky look to her.
lol
LMao
A thing of beauty
He acts a guy who talks with a bush in fire and who ordered to kill 3,00 0 hebrews after the Golden Calf’s part so we can say he’s right
I don’t Moses wore this kind of armour on the picture, since he grew up as an egyptian and then moved to the desert. Adn even if Bale doesn’t like Moses, ok, he doesn’t have to, just had to know saying those words would cause controversy.
BTW, the movie seems to suck.
I hate all epic biblical films. I just don’t enjoy the genre. I don’t think he was saying that he didn’t like Moses, though. I think people are projecting certain emotions on to him, FWIW.
“I hate all epic biblical films”
Surely you enjoyed History of the World Part 1?
Moses: “The Lord, the Lord Jehovah has given unto you these fifteen”
*drops and breaks tablet*
Moses: “Oy! Ten! Ten commandments for all to obey!”
Okay, I stand corrected
I agree Kiddo. I don’t enjoy any of them. *yawn* Like paying to sit in a church pew (which obviously some people enjoy)
The Prince of Egypt is my favorite Moses movie 🙂 They used the correct crayon and singing Ralph Fiennes!
Haha! Correct crayon;) My brother loves that version for the exact same reason.
I don’t think much of Moses myself but way to polarize the target audience.
Are you sure that the target is the “religious” folk? I don’t recall the Heston version being peddled at anybody. People went to see it because it was an interesting movie and had a good cast, although many communities are still stuck with a Protestant version of the 10 commandments outside their courthouses that were actually a promo for the movie… . A lot of the fundamentalist crowd is unlikely to go to movies anyway unless maybe it’s produced by their specific church. So maybe his remarks won’t bother many people actually likely to buy a ticket in the first place. Instead what he’s saying will make it seem like a movie worth seeing regardless of your beliefs about the biblical aspects.
When will Hollywood understand that whitewashing is dumb and offensive?
All Egyptians are white according to Ridley Scott?
There are many middle-eastern actors as supporting characters
slaves and thieves only. everyone else is white with an “intense tan”.
If Ridley Scott wants to present Egyptians in biblical times as white then he should just follow this premise all the way through and have an entire white cast.The Idmb page shows all the slaves thieves street urchins as black…Why ???
There is no historical or biblical basis to suggest that this would be the case
The transatlantic slave trade of the 1600 was the first time that slavery based on race/color prior to that nations basically enslaved each other captors of war etc. but note in Hollywood every period pace dystopian work (I am looking at you Game of Thrones ) cast slaves as black people
Tiresome
Meh, you can’t please everyone.
There is no proof that Moses was a real being. There is no proof of a the mass exodus described in the bible either as of yet anyway.
I don’t really care what he says so long as I can watch him saying it. Better still, if he undressed while saying it;)
What does proof have to do with religion?
It’s all about suspension of disbelief.
One thing I actually like about the bible, there are very few classic good guys. The bible doesn’t hide the flaws of its characters.
Totally agree
The tempermental God of the old testament actually makes more sense if you look at the world today. I mean if God is all loving and all powerful, why does he let children get tortured/murdered? Maybe they didn’t pray enough…Heck, the self-centered Gods of greek mythology make way more sense if you actually *look* at the world and what happens in it.
As you can probably guess, this isn’t a move I’ll be lining up to see!
Aaron Paul as Joshua, haha. I’m sorry but all I can think of is… “Let my people go, BITCH-ES!”
Schizophrenia fits with hearing voices. Yes, Moses was a troubled soul as were all Biblical prophets.
I see this film as an interpretation of the Moses story. Not good or bad. Just,hopefully, interesting.
I look at these costume pictures and I see no Moses, only Christian Bale =/ Which is worrisome because he usually melds with his characters alright.
Wish he hadn’t taken the part. I too have a problem with the white washing of the film but I’ve read the OT and I’ve always had my problems with Exodus and all the bloodshed. Oh my gosh, so much bloodshed. I think that Moses was a huge a-hole and so was the OT God. So I kinda of agree with him.
Film can’t be worse than Noah though, right? I say this as an agnostic leaning toward atheism but that was an egregious POS.
For some reason, the picture with the armour makes me think of Khal Drogo.