Watch Saul: Journey to Damascus

Saul: Journey to Damascus is a gripping religious drama directed by Mario Azzopardi, released in 2014. The film is a story of Saul - the man who later became known as Saint Paul and his transformation from a persecutor of Christians to one of Christianity's most significant figureheads. This feature movie highlights how Saul came to be converted to Christianity on his journey to Damascus following the revelations he experienced while on the road.

The film opens in the ancient city of Jerusalem, where Saul (John Rhys-Davies) is a respected figure among the Jewish Pharisees. Saul is portrayed as a zealous man who believes strongly in defending his Jewish faith and persecuting Christians. He is shown as an orthodox Jew who believes that anyone who associates with the sect of Christian believers should be punished or put to death.

During his persecution of the Christians, Saul is shown to be particularly brutal and ruthless, overseeing the stoning of Stephen, a Christian man who had been preaching in Jerusalem. Saul then proceeds to get letters from the high priest authorizing the imprisonment and punishment of other Christians. He sets off on a journey to Damascus to hunt down the believers and bring them to justice.

On the road to Damascus, Saul is confronted by a vision of Jesus Christ (Kyle Gatehouse), who tells Saul that he is persecuting his believers in vain. This experience shakes Saul to his core, leading to his conversion to Christianity. This transformation of Saul forms the core of the movie's plot, and the film does an excellent job of bringing to life the magnitude and impact of this event on Saul's life and subsequent actions.

Saul's struggles with his faith and what terms he should live highlight the complexity of his conversion journey. Callum Blue, who played the character of Ananias, a Christian who reluctantly takes Saul in to care for him after his conversion, helps Saul understand the meaning of faith, propelling Saul into a whole-new perspective of life. But as Saul begins to embrace his newfound faith, he begins to face persecution from the other Jews who believe his conversion is an act of betrayal. They soon conspire to kill him, leading to a series of dramatic events that will both test Saul's faith and push him to the brink of sanity.

The lead actors in Saul: Journey to Damascus deliver standout performances. John Rhys-Davies portrays Saul's cruel and determined character in a satisfyingly believable way, casting the perfect balance between his uncompromising views and his eventual awakening to the light. Emmanuelle Vaugier's portrayal of the character of Saint Cecilia, another key Christian figure in Saul's journey, is just as impressive, striking the delicate balance between compassion, strength and devotion.

Saul: Journey to Damascus also boasts impressive cinematography and a stunning use of sets and costumes, bringing the ancient world to life, making the film fascinating to watch. The movie does an excellent job of delivering the drama and tension of Saul's journey while also providing insights into the life and culture of the society in which he lived. This cinematic portrayal of Saul's journey to Damascus is truly inspiring and showcases how his conversion led him to the forefront of the early church.

Overall, Saul: Journey to Damascus is a well-executed and captivating religious drama that serves to inspire, uplift, and educate viewers about the life of Saul and his transformation into a significant figure in biblical history. It captures the essence of traditional Christian values and beliefs while also offering an emotional and intellectually stimulating cinematic experience. Whether you're religious or not, the film's gripping plot and well-crafted characters make it worth watching.

Saul: Journey to Damascus is a 2014 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.