I also watched it on Friday. It was an extraordinarily good piece. Comparing the high production values of
KJB with the briefer and less impressive
The Making of the King James Bible,
KJB is a fantastic and visually satisfying documentary. However, after reading the MacGrath and Ryken books (and well into the Adam Nicolson book now) on the King James translation, it was interesting to see the more positive portrait of King James in
KJB.
The Making of the King James Bible nuances and guards against making James I into a heroic figure. The
KJB, especially in the hands of skilled actor John Rhys-Davies, waxes positively hagiographic at times. Still, his narration is spectacular and quite moving.
For this 400th Anniversary year, I recommend the following: Buy both; watch both; watch both again.
[Trivia note:
The Making of the King James Bible relies upon a lot of interviews with Adam Nicolson, author of the very good
God's Secretaries.
KJB features, among others, Carl Trueman.]
If you want to put together a GREAT gift for a pastor or Christian leader, here is the ticket for 2011:
3 books: God's Secretaries (Nicolson),
In the Beginning: The Story of the King James Bible (MacGrath),
The Legacy of the King James Bible (Ryken).
Plus . . .
2 DVDs:
KJB and
The Making of the King James Bible.
Plus . . .
King James Bible: 400th Anniversary Edition (Gordon Campbell). It is sumptuous, VERY large, Oxford volume in a slip cover (looks kindof like the OED).
The text of the 1611 edition differs from modern editions of the King James Version in thousands of details, and this edition is the most authentic version of the original text that has ever been published. It follows the 1611 text page-for-page and line-for-line, reproducing all misprints rather than correcting them. The volume also reprints the large body of preliminary matter, which includes genealogies, maps, and lists of readings, as well as the translator's preface to the reader. The text features an easy-to-read modern font instead of the black-letter type of the original, with the exception of the original decorative letters and early page ornaments, which have been reproduced. The volume concludes with an essay by Renaissance Studies expert, Gordon Campbell, on the first edition of the King James Bible.
Somebody had it recently for $40 (= 1/2 off).
Plus . . .
R.L. Allan Atlantic Blue Longprimer KJV. The bestest Bible I have ever owned!!!
Give someone that set of books, Bibles, and DVDs and you will make that person VERY satisfied with your gift!