The Story of Jacob and Joseph

The Story of Jacob and Joseph is a 1974 American Biblical drama television film directed by Michael Cacoyannis, based on the Biblical Book of Genesis with a screenplay written by Ernest Kinoy. It stars Keith Michell as Jacob, Tony Lo Bianco as Joseph, Colleen Dewhurst as Rebekah, Herschel Bernardi as Laban, Harry Andrews as Isaac, and Julian Glover as Esau.

The Story of Jacob and Joseph
GenreBiblical Fiction
Based onBook of Genesis
Written byErnest Kinoy
Directed byMichael Cacoyannis
StarringKeith Michell
Tony Lo Bianco
Colleen Dewhurst
Herschel Bernardi
Harry Andrews
Julian Glover
Narrated byAlan Bates
Theme music composerMikis Theodorakis
Country of originUnited States
Original languagesEnglish
Greek
Production
ProducersMildred Freed Alberg
Rony Yacov
CinematographyTed Moore
Austin Dempster
EditorKevin Connor
Running time110 minutes
Production companiesMildred Theatrical Productions
Screen Gems
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseApril 7, 1974 (1974-04-07)

Filmed on location in Israel, The Story of Jacob and Joseph originally aired in the United States on the American Broadcasting Company on April 7, 1974. It was the fifth-highest viewed prime time program for the week.[1] The Biblical narrative was continued two years later with The Story of David (1976), also produced for ABC-TV and involving many of the same cast and crew.

Plot summary

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This film is the narrative of two Biblical patriarchs: Jacob (Israel) and the favorite among Jacob's 12 sons, Joseph. Part I, The Story of Jacob, details the story of Jacob fleeing his tribe after cheating his brother Esau out of his birthright, getting cheated himself in his exile years, and learning of the need to make amends. Part II, The Story of Joseph and his Brothers, is the story of Jacob's favourite son, Joseph. Betrayed and sold into slavery by his brothers, he meets and overcomes adversity to become the prime minister of Egypt, closest official to the Pharaoh himself.

Cast

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References

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  1. ^ (16 April 1974). Oscar show leads ratings, Arizona Republic ("The ratings also showed religious programs don't always fare poorly with viewers. ABC's "The Story of Jacob and Joseph" special came in fifth out of 62 evening programs rated.")
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