Sometimes a simple reading of the Bible is all that is needed; sometimes it will be right to offer an alternative presentation. These videos do just that:
As a starter, how about The Bible in One Minute (0'52), an amusing semi-rap romp through the whole thing?
The following films cover only a small part of the Bible but they do offer a video interpretation of many of the most familiar passages.
Genesis 1:1-2:3 (8'06). The first creation story, quite nicely narrated (apart from the 'voice of God'), with some OK graphics and images.
Genesis 1:1-2:3 (5'23). A dramatic, slightly B-movie-style, account. Quite engaging.
Genesis 1:1-4 (1;38). Sunrise, Also Sprach Zarathrustra, and voice over. Simple.
Genesis 9:8-17 (2'09) The covenant with Noah, set to "Rainbow in the Sky" by Ziggy Marley (I think).
Genesis 18:1-14a (2'50) Animated version by Taliesin (11) and David (46) of inclusivechrist.
Exodus 23:20-23 (0'40) Simple animation by Emma Rundel.
1Samuel 3:1-10 (2'30) Aninmated version of calling of Samuel. Suitable for children.
1Samuel 18ff (paraphrased) (1'25). The story of David & Jonathan, animated by Emma Rundell.
Psalm 8 (3'33). Nothing stunning but nicely made with words, still images tastefully handled and guitar music.
Psalm 8 (2'25) One I made, set to "Fanfare for the Common Man" by Aaron Copland.
Psalm 23 (3'10) There are lots of videos of psalm 23, but this is the only one I've seen which is out of the ordinary. It offers the text and reflection on the text in a slightly quirky way.
Psalm 23 (1'27) A clip from the TV series Lost.
Psalm 50 (2'27) Allegri's sublime setting with sensitive shots of Velázquez's crucifixion.
Psalm 51 (4'57). Some nice graphics and pictures, set to "Fix You" by Coldplay.
Psalm 121 (1'33) High quality stills, text and music from e-water.
Psalm 139: 1-12 (2'22) Nothing special but nicely done with still pictures, text and piano accompaniment. A high quality download (Flash, PowerPoint or avi) is available from e-water, who have a number of good quality presentations on their site.
Psalm 150 (6'22) Two rabbis, Rav Yosef Karduner and Rav Lazer Brody singing psalm 150 in Hebrew. It's not the greatest recording but it does remind us that these are Jewish songs and prayers.
Psalm 150 (4'29) A mime/dance performed to J Moss' gospel/hip hop track Psalm 150.
Isaiah 6:1-8 (1'22) Animated reading by Emma Rundell.
Isaiah 6:3 (5'12). "The whole earth is full of his glory" from Vertical Hold
Isaiah 9:1-7 (4:00). From i-Church.
Jeremiah 31:31-34 (0'58). A simple cartoon version from Simon Rundell.
Jeremiah 33:14-16 (0'54). A simple mix of words and images set to the song "They will know we are Christians by our love."
Amos 5:14-15, 21-24 (1'42). This is one I made for a service focusing on justice; it made quite an impact when it was first shown. It took me a while to get the delivery of the text right. At first I read it in quite a declamatory, 'prophetic', manner but this did not work with the pictures. In the end I hit on the very understated throw-away style of speaking which seems to work.
Zephaniah 3:14-18 (0'52). 'Dramatised' reading from Simon Rundell, made for the National Youth Pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham.
Matthew 1:1-17 (1'45). With this simple movie even the genealogy of Jesus becomes accessible. From Simon Rundell.
Matthew 4:1-10 (4'19) A meditation on the temptation of Jesus.
Matthew 4:1-10 (5'17) Curious dramatised account of the temptation of Jesus with some CGI effects. Based on Luke's account.
Matthew 5:1-10 (2'28) A simple text & picture version of the beatitudes set to Pachalbel's canon. A free high quality download is available from e-water.
Matthew 5:1-10 (3'39) Text and pictures set to Lost in You by RED.
Matthew 5:2-16 (1'34) Good graphics-based reading of beatitudes and following sayings with urgent music underneath.
Matthew 6:24-34 (3'32). The sermon on the Mount - the rap version from Simon Rundell, original Music by DJ Booma, words by Fr. W.
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 (2'08). The parable of the sower from saintrockmedia, who produce good text-based Bible readings with good graphics and images.
Matthew 13:1-9 (3'05). Fool is an offbeat animated take on the parable of the sower from Vertical Hold.
Matthew 17:1-13 (3'44). Starting with the disciples playing a game of volleyball (Thomas: "Well, I won't believe the ball was in until I see the mark in the sand!") this cartoon version of the transfiguration is part of the Rediscovering God Bible Cartoon series.
Matthew 17:1-13 (2'42). Another animated version of the transfiguration. This has a more adult feel than the one above.
Matthew 17:1-13 (2'29). A curious version of transfiguration, a bit like a modern day amplified Bible account, based on Luke. Thought provoking.
Matthew 17:1-13 (4'58) meditation on the transfiguration. Still images, old and modern, with a track which mixes dance beats, plainsong and wordless vocals.
Matthew 18:1-5, 10 (1'09) A stop frame animation using dolls.
Matthew 21:1-17 (3'20). Fairly straightforward reading of the entry into Jerusalem with images and background music.
Matthew 25:31-40 (3'55) A modernised version of the parable of the sheep (but not goats).
Matthew 27:27-54 (8'26). A meditation on the Passion, with Hebrews 12:2-3. A DVD-quality version is available for download from Prayerscapes for £1.95.
Matthew 28:1-10,16-20 (2'59). The Easter story from Matthew. Text-based with good images and graphics.
Mark 1:12-13 (4'19) A meditation on the temptation of Jesus, based on Matthew's account.
Mark 1:12-13 (5'17) Curious dramatised account of the temptation of Jesus with some CGI effects. Based on Luke's account.
Mark 4:3-20 (3'05). Fool is an offbeat animated take on the parable of the sower from Vertical Hold.
Mark 9:2-8 (3'44). Starting with the disciples playing a game of volleyball (Thomas: "Well, I won't believe the ball was in until I see the mark in the sand!") this cartoon version of the transfiguration is part of the Rediscovering God Bible Cartoon series.
Mark 9:2-8 (2'42). Another animated version of the transfiguration. This has a more adult feel than the one above.
Mark 9:2-8 (2'29). A curious version of transfiguration, a bit like a modern day amplified Bible account, based on Luke. Thought provoking.
Luke 4:1-13 (4'19) A meditation on the temptation of Jesus, based on Matthew's account.
Luke 4:1-13 (5'17) Curious dramatised account of the temptation of Jesus with some CGI effects.
Luke 4:23-38 (1'45). With this simple movie even the genealogy of Jesus becomes accessible. From Simon Rundell.
Luke 8:5-15 (3'05). Fool is an offbeat animated take on the parable of the sower from Vertical Hold.
Luke 8:22-25 (2'39) I made this to illustrate a sermon on Jesus calming the storm.
Luke 9:18-27 (4'00). Focused on the events of Holy Week, could be used as a Holy Week meditation. (Advert for Markham Baptist Church at end)
Luke 9:28-36 (3'44). Starting with the disciples playing a game of volleyball (Thomas: "Well, I won't believe the ball was in until I see the mark in the sand!") this cartoon version of the transfiguration is part of the Rediscovering God Bible Cartoon series.
Luke 9:28-36 (2'42). Another animated version of the transfiguration. This has a more adult feel than the one above. Based on Matthew's account.
Luke 9:28-36 (2'29). A curious version of transfiguration, a bit like a modern day amplified Bible account, based on Luke. Thought provoking.
Luke 12:22-31 (3'32). Based on Matthew's version of the sermon on the Mount but could be used for this passage also. Rap version from Simon Rundell, original Music by DJ Booma, words by Fr. W.
Luke 15:11-32 (5'31). The story of the prodigal son set to Coldplay's Fix You. Well-shot restrained live action makes the point well.
Luke 16:19-31 (3'05). A cartoon retelling of the story of the rich man and Lazarus.
Luke 16:19-31 (3'43). The Haunting - an Irish song based on the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Good images and words.
Luke 19:1-10 (3'01). A cartoon version of the story of Zaccheus.
Luke 21:25-29 (1'33). An interesting take on the mini-apocalypse, linking, Advent-style, to the birth of Jesus.
John 1:1-5 (0'58). English male reader, sunset out of sea, candle flickering.
John 3:16 (1'00). A simple animation from Simon Rundell.
John 4:5-42 (2'47). The story of the woman at the well retold as a monologue from the woman, acted by Erin Moon. Very powerful, very moving.
John 11:3-4, 17, 20-27, 33-35 (3'44). The story of Lazarus from saintrockmedia.
John 15:1-5 (1'36). Made by Emma Rundell, music by Wim Wertens.
John 20:19-22 (1'35). I made this for an event in Norwich cathedral in 2005. All the photos were taken in Norfolk. In this case I decided to use a second voice to add a kind of commentary, or amplification, to the text. This seemed to work quite well.
John 20:24-29 (1'47). Animation by Emma Rundell, music by Sue Wallace of Visions, York.
Acts 2:1-13 (2'29). American reader, lots of fire and different languages. A good dramatisation of the reading.
Acts 2:1-18,21 (3'23). Dramatised video reading, English voice. From Simon Rundell.
Acts 2:1-21 (2'52). Dramatised video reading, good graphics, good images. uses The Message translation. From saintrockmedia.
Acts 2:42-47 (1'51). This is also one of mine, made for Norwich Cathedral in 2007. The theme was 'committed to growth' and I wanted to achieve a contemporary feel, as well as indicating growth.
Acts 9:1-9 (3'15). Reasonably good movie with pictures and graphics set to Conversion of Saul by Z Randall Stroope.
Romans 1:16 (2'23). "I am not ashamed of the gospel" - music by Delirious?, images by Simon Rundell.
1Corinthians 1:25 (3'05). Fool is an offbeat animated take on the parable of the sower and the foolishness of God from Vertical Hold.
1Corinthians 13 (8'25). Part Bible reading (from The Message), part meditation, this is a good video about love. Download a DVD quality version from Prayerscapes for £1.95.
1Corinthians 15:48 (3'36). Roots, from Vertical Hold, is an animation which offers an allegory of this passage.