塩野七生「ローマ人の物語 キリストの勝利」を読んだ後に見たので、いろいろ深く考えさせられた。キリスト教は多神教の中に埋もれている時代には、彼らの神は多くの神々のひとつにしか見えない。彼らも「信仰の自由を認めてほしい」くらいのことしか言わない。しかし多数派になって権力を握ると、ある日突然態度を豹変させる。異教徒に向かって、「お前の信じている邪教を捨てろ」とはっきり要求し始める。これを拒めば、待っているのは追放か死あるのみだ。
ただしキリスト教の側にも言い分はあるだろう。古代ローマにあこがれる人は多いが、当時の特権階級はごく一部にすぎず、多数は平民で、大多数は奴隷か解放奴隷だった。現世に希望を見い出せない彼らにとって、ローマ世界を悪と断じ、来世の幸福を説くキリストの教えは魅力的に映ったことだろう。
この映画を見て感じたのは、キリスト教はギリシャ・ローマの遺産をごっそり乗っ取ったのではないかということ。たしかにキリスト教は、古代ギリシャ以来の学問を異教だとして否定する場面もあったし、この映画はその側面を主に描いている。しかし長年蓄積された数々の遺産を受け継いで、キリスト教に取り込むこともやっている。上記の塩野氏の本には、そのことがイヤというほど紹介されている。
この作品は世界史に埋もれた悲劇のひとつに見えるが、見かけの地味さに惑わされてはいけない。一神教の原理が世界中を覆いつくそうとしている現代を生きる我々には、一度は見ておいたほうがいい重要な映画なのだ。これから国際社会で活躍する若い世代には、特にお薦めしたい。
アレクサンドリア [DVD]
フォーマット | 色, ドルビー, ワイドスクリーン |
コントリビュータ | マックス・ミンゲラ, レイチェル・ワイズ, マイケル・ロンズデール, アレハンドロ・アメナーバル, ルパート・エヴァンス, オスカー・アイザック, サミ・サミール |
言語 | 英語 |
稼働時間 | 2 時間 7 分 |
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商品の説明
アカデミー賞監督アレハンドロ・アメナーバル × アカデミー賞女優レイチェル・ワイズ!
ヨーロッパ映画史上最大級の製作費で描く、歴史スペクタクル!
<ストーリー>4世紀、ローマ帝国末期のエジプト、アレクサンドリア。宗教をめぐる市民の対立から街が荒廃する中、類まれなる美貌と明晰な頭脳を持った女性天文学者ヒュパティア(レイチェル・ワイズ)は、分け隔てなく弟子たちを受け入れ、講義を行なっていた。彼女は訴える。「世の中で何が起きようと、私たちは兄弟です。」生徒でもあり、後にアレクサンドリアの長官となるオレステス(オスカー・アイザック)、そして奴隷ダオス(マックス・ミンゲラ)は密かに彼女に想いを寄せていた。やがて、科学を否定するキリスト教徒たちと、それを拒絶する学者たちの間で、激しい対立が勃発。戦いの最中、キリスト教指導者は知る。この都市の有力者たちに多大な影響を与えているのは、ヒュパティアだということに。そして攻撃の矛先は、彼女に向けられたのだった ―
<特典映像>
・削除されたシーン
・予告編集(オリジナル本予告編/オリジナルティーザー予告篇/日本版予告編)
・フォトギャラリー
・キャスト/スタッフ プロフィール
・プロダクションノート
<CAST>
レイチェル・ワイズ 『ナイロビの蜂』、『ラブリー・ボーン』
マックス・ミンゲラ 『シリアナ』、『ソーシャル・ネットワーク』
登録情報
- アスペクト比 : 2.35:1
- メーカーにより製造中止になりました : いいえ
- 言語 : 英語
- 製品サイズ : 25 x 2.2 x 18 cm; 83.16 g
- EAN : 4988105062801
- 監督 : アレハンドロ・アメナーバル
- メディア形式 : 色, ドルビー, ワイドスクリーン
- 時間 : 2 時間 7 分
- 発売日 : 2011/9/9
- 出演 : レイチェル・ワイズ, マックス・ミンゲラ, オスカー・アイザック, マイケル・ロンズデール, ルパート・エヴァンス
- 字幕: : 日本語
- 言語 : 日本語 (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), 英語 (Dolby Digital 5.1)
- 販売元 : SHOCHIKU Co.,Ltd.(SH)(D)
- ASIN : B00553UGTW
- ディスク枚数 : 1
- Amazon 売れ筋ランキング: - 120,080位DVD (DVDの売れ筋ランキングを見る)
- カスタマーレビュー:
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This intelligent film, based on the life of the astronomer, mathematician, and fifth century Stephen Hawking, Hypatia of Alexandria, brings into sharp relief two opposing forces :the slavish adherence to ancient orthodoxies and dogma, and the desire to think independently and seek the truth, to see the world with fresh eyes, even at the risk of overturning centuries of accepted belief, whatever the consequences. Rachel Weisz plays the central character, convincing both as a first class mind and object of desire, a woman smarter than any of the men in town, hungry for knowledge, even if it means rejecting the teachings of Ptolomy, and incurring the opposition of a talibanesque church. This well made film makes a historical episode entirely relevant to to our times : destructive religious fanaticism, book burning, oppression of women.. the need to think the unthinkable, and to regard the past as a ladder and not a chain....This isn't a simple science versus religion story, but one that challenges us to consider what type of world we wish to live in, where our beliefs will lead us, and what sort of people we wish to be.
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中東アラブの人権、女性差別問題?
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なるほど、『神』は本当に色んなものを作ったようですな。
天も地も太陽も、海も森も動物も人間も、そして暴力と闘争も…。案外『科学』すらも『宗教』から生まれているのかも知れませんな
「神の御業」と崇める者がいる一方で、では何故『神』はこのような仕組みを創ったのだろうか…と考える者も現れる…。
「科学する心」は「神の御心に少しでも近づきたい」という思いから、その端を発しているのかも知れません
ですが、その『神』を崇拝するにあたっては少し注意が必要です。『神』の言葉は聖書に記されているかもしれませんが、それを「発する」のは必ず人間です。
いつ何時どの『言葉』を引用し、どのように解釈するかは人間に委ねられている。
『神』は「嘘」も「疑う心」も人間に与えた筈です。『神』の御業には従わなければなりません。
・・・あいあい。いやぁ、かなり秀逸な映画ですな。
歴史モノということもあって複雑な内容かと思ったら、意外とシンプルで分かりやすい。
あらすじに「科学を否定するキリスト教徒達と、それを拒絶する科学者たちとの間で、激しい対立が勃発」とありますが、
喧嘩してたのは、キリスト教とエジプトの土着宗教ですな。後半は、その喧嘩に勝利したキリスト教が今度はユダヤ教に喧嘩を吹っ掛けるお話。
本作のヒロインである「女性天文学者ヒュパティア」は、そのゴミクソみたいな主導権争いにいきなり巻き込まれただけの完全なる被害者。
「え?俺どこから出てきたの!!??マジかよ!!!」くらいのウルトラC
本当に次から次へと『敵』を作って戦い続ける、人間の愚かさと醜さを凝縮したかのような映画。
キリスト教の愚かさも然ることながら、エジプトの土着宗教も大概アホ。
「セラピス(我々の神)は恐れずとも剣は恐れるはずだ」からの「キリスト教徒の返り討ちだ」、からの「交渉が必要だな」は流石に笑った(笑)
はぇよ!日和るのはえぇよ!!つか、信仰でどうにもならないからって暴力に頼ってる時点で既に語るに落ちてるのに、そこから更に返り討ちにあって、神殿に籠城したはいいけど、キリスト教徒の数にビビッて交渉に持ち込もうとする驚異の3段オチ。
おいおい援護に『神』が付いてるハズなのにどうなってんだ!!神サマ弾幕が薄すぎるよ??!!!(笑)
・・・つか敵の人数くらいある程度 先に把握しとけや
あと、時代考えれば当たり前の話なんだけど、『神』だの『神への忠誠』だの壮大なこと説きながら、他人に石を投げてる様はなかなかにシュール。
いやいや、投石も立派な武器の一つとして数えられていた時代があることは知ってますよ?
ただ、いざこうやって映画として見せられると、なんというか…「動物園のチンパンジー・・・いや、何でもない。
なんか、結構真面目な内容の映画にも関わらず、かなり不真面目なレビューになってしまった…。
いや、でもそれぐらい分かりやすく、人間の繰り返してきた歴史の愚かさを表現した映画なのですよ。
全然歴史に興味がない、この時代のことを何も知らない人たちでも充分に内容を理解し楽しめる映画だと思う。
こういう映画って「分かりやすさ」が本当に大事。
歴史に詳しい人たちから見れば一般向けのライトな内容に映るかもしれないが、こういう複雑に様々な要因の絡んだ歴史的な事件を、嚙み砕いて分かりやすく説明するのって、それはそれでなかなかスキルが要る行為だと思う。
こういう映画から歴史に興味を持って、果ては歴史の学者先生なんてこともあるかも知れんワケですよ
それこそ、「宗教」から「科学」が生まれるように…。
追記
あ、ちなみにキリスト教、ユダヤ教、イスラム教はめっちゃ男尊女卑ですよ。
どこへ出しても恥ずかしくないくらい・・・つか、現代の価値観で見るとちょっとドン引きするぐらい…。
昨今、イスラム教徒に使われがちな「原理主義」という言葉は元々、一部のキリスト教徒に充てられた言葉なのですよ。
で、なんで聖書に忠実なハズのコイツらが「過激派」呼ばわりなのかと言うと、聖書が「そう」だから…。
15世紀、『魔女の鉄槌』とかいう女性ヘイト丸出しの本にキリスト教が大喜びで飛びついたのも、元々キリスト教にそういう「土壌」があったから…。
ただ当たり前の話ですが、現代におけるこれらの宗教の信徒たち全員が、同じような男尊女卑の価値観を持ってるかというとそれは違う。
だからもう何十年も前から、現代的価値観を備えた「一般的信徒」とは”別の枠として”「原理主義」という言葉が使われるようになったワケです。
聖書がそんな差別的な文章載せてるとは知らなかった…みたいなレビューを見たので一応…。
天も地も太陽も、海も森も動物も人間も、そして暴力と闘争も…。案外『科学』すらも『宗教』から生まれているのかも知れませんな
「神の御業」と崇める者がいる一方で、では何故『神』はこのような仕組みを創ったのだろうか…と考える者も現れる…。
「科学する心」は「神の御心に少しでも近づきたい」という思いから、その端を発しているのかも知れません
ですが、その『神』を崇拝するにあたっては少し注意が必要です。『神』の言葉は聖書に記されているかもしれませんが、それを「発する」のは必ず人間です。
いつ何時どの『言葉』を引用し、どのように解釈するかは人間に委ねられている。
『神』は「嘘」も「疑う心」も人間に与えた筈です。『神』の御業には従わなければなりません。
・・・あいあい。いやぁ、かなり秀逸な映画ですな。
歴史モノということもあって複雑な内容かと思ったら、意外とシンプルで分かりやすい。
あらすじに「科学を否定するキリスト教徒達と、それを拒絶する科学者たちとの間で、激しい対立が勃発」とありますが、
喧嘩してたのは、キリスト教とエジプトの土着宗教ですな。後半は、その喧嘩に勝利したキリスト教が今度はユダヤ教に喧嘩を吹っ掛けるお話。
本作のヒロインである「女性天文学者ヒュパティア」は、そのゴミクソみたいな主導権争いにいきなり巻き込まれただけの完全なる被害者。
「え?俺どこから出てきたの!!??マジかよ!!!」くらいのウルトラC
本当に次から次へと『敵』を作って戦い続ける、人間の愚かさと醜さを凝縮したかのような映画。
キリスト教の愚かさも然ることながら、エジプトの土着宗教も大概アホ。
「セラピス(我々の神)は恐れずとも剣は恐れるはずだ」からの「キリスト教徒の返り討ちだ」、からの「交渉が必要だな」は流石に笑った(笑)
はぇよ!日和るのはえぇよ!!つか、信仰でどうにもならないからって暴力に頼ってる時点で既に語るに落ちてるのに、そこから更に返り討ちにあって、神殿に籠城したはいいけど、キリスト教徒の数にビビッて交渉に持ち込もうとする驚異の3段オチ。
おいおい援護に『神』が付いてるハズなのにどうなってんだ!!神サマ弾幕が薄すぎるよ??!!!(笑)
・・・つか敵の人数くらいある程度 先に把握しとけや
あと、時代考えれば当たり前の話なんだけど、『神』だの『神への忠誠』だの壮大なこと説きながら、他人に石を投げてる様はなかなかにシュール。
いやいや、投石も立派な武器の一つとして数えられていた時代があることは知ってますよ?
ただ、いざこうやって映画として見せられると、なんというか…「動物園のチンパンジー・・・いや、何でもない。
なんか、結構真面目な内容の映画にも関わらず、かなり不真面目なレビューになってしまった…。
いや、でもそれぐらい分かりやすく、人間の繰り返してきた歴史の愚かさを表現した映画なのですよ。
全然歴史に興味がない、この時代のことを何も知らない人たちでも充分に内容を理解し楽しめる映画だと思う。
こういう映画って「分かりやすさ」が本当に大事。
歴史に詳しい人たちから見れば一般向けのライトな内容に映るかもしれないが、こういう複雑に様々な要因の絡んだ歴史的な事件を、嚙み砕いて分かりやすく説明するのって、それはそれでなかなかスキルが要る行為だと思う。
こういう映画から歴史に興味を持って、果ては歴史の学者先生なんてこともあるかも知れんワケですよ
それこそ、「宗教」から「科学」が生まれるように…。
追記
あ、ちなみにキリスト教、ユダヤ教、イスラム教はめっちゃ男尊女卑ですよ。
どこへ出しても恥ずかしくないくらい・・・つか、現代の価値観で見るとちょっとドン引きするぐらい…。
昨今、イスラム教徒に使われがちな「原理主義」という言葉は元々、一部のキリスト教徒に充てられた言葉なのですよ。
で、なんで聖書に忠実なハズのコイツらが「過激派」呼ばわりなのかと言うと、聖書が「そう」だから…。
15世紀、『魔女の鉄槌』とかいう女性ヘイト丸出しの本にキリスト教が大喜びで飛びついたのも、元々キリスト教にそういう「土壌」があったから…。
ただ当たり前の話ですが、現代におけるこれらの宗教の信徒たち全員が、同じような男尊女卑の価値観を持ってるかというとそれは違う。
だからもう何十年も前から、現代的価値観を備えた「一般的信徒」とは”別の枠として”「原理主義」という言葉が使われるようになったワケです。
聖書がそんな差別的な文章載せてるとは知らなかった…みたいなレビューを見たので一応…。
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I’m not at all surprised that this movie has been review-bombed by some of its viewers, nor that those reviews rank among its “most helpful.” The film depicts a moment in history the church would sooner have us all forget, but the only way one can reach the conclusions these reviews do about “Agora” is by frankly not paying very close attention to the film, instead seeking cause to take offense and dismiss what is understandably uncomfortable history as fast as possible.
Let’s address two of the most common complaints about its historical accuracy:
FIRST, the film directly acknowledges that the Great Library of Alexandria was gone by the time period depicted. The Serapeum was built in the 3rd century BC as a daughter library to the Great Library, and served as its public branch (it also doubled as a temple to the pagan god Serapis, which ultimately made it a target and led to its ordered destruction as depicted in the film). The Serapeum complex survived the fire which claimed its mother library, and by the 4th century, it was nearly 700 years old and effectively *was* the Library of Alexandria (there had been a second institution of learning in the city built by and for Christians known as the Catechetical School, but this school was destroyed a few years before the events of the film in Christian-on-Christian rioting resulting from the news that Constantinople, not Alexandria, would be recognized as the heart of Christendom in the Empire. The Catechetical School of Alexandria would not be rebuilt until the 19th century).
SECONDLY, every riot depicted in the film happened historically. In the events recreated, Pagans, Jews, and Christians alike were both perpetrators and victims of violence in tit-for-tat massacres. “Agora” offers a condemnation of religious extremism in general (NOT of Christianity specifically) and of those who exploit religion and the great passions it stirs for temporal gain — a lesson we ought to take to heart even in modern times.
To delve into the full and fascinating snarl of sectarian religious conflict in Alexandria at the time would have required expanding the film into a full miniseries (a la BBC’s “Rome”), and would have shifted focus away from Hypatia herself. As-is, “Agora” depicts Christians as being far more united than they were at the time, leaving out things such as the Christian-on-Christian riot over who would be Patriarch Theophilus’ successor (by summoning Nitrian monks from the desert to agitate on his behalf, Cyril ultimately defeated the older and more moderate archdeacon Timothy, and immediately began persecuting Christians of the Novatianist sect who had supported his opponent — none of which is shown in the film). A certain scene involving a Christian, a Pagan, and a bed of coals historically occurred between Christians of the Nicene and Novatianist sects, to give some idea of the intensity of the doctrinal divisions at the time; but depicting this event with the factions it truly involved would likely have provoked even more shrill cries of anti-Christian bias than the film already does.
It should already be clear by this point that Christians in 4th/5th century Alexandria were NOT like Christians today. This was a time when people came to blows over the wording of the liturgy; when bishops with competing views vied for the backing of government with which to persecute rival sects out of existence (to great effect — there’s a reason why most people today have never heard of Arianism, or Novatianists, or Origenists; history, and the doctrine accepted to this day on things such as the nature of the Trinity, was written by the victors of this ugly process, with the losers branded heretics to be stamped out and forgotten). The Reformation from which the modern church hails would only occur eleven centuries later, with much of the intervening period colloquially known as the Dark Ages. The instances of religious violence seen in “Agora” may be jarring if one is accustomed to Pureflix films intended to reinforce already-deeply-held beliefs and pat one’s self on the head for holding them, but an honest reading of history will confirm the veracity of these events.
“Agora” is ultimately a celebration of the life of a woman — a genius of her time — who lived in a very turbulent world. She was a philosopher, an astronomer, an educator who personally instructed men of multiple faiths who would rise to prominent positions throughout the late Roman Empire, and who is best remembered through their preserved writings. The nonpartisan environment she fostered in her classroom was an island of calm in a tempest, and in this film we get to see through her eyes as these events unfold. Tragically, a corrupt bishop sought to usurp power from the appointed governor, and in the course of undermining the governor’s support base, the bishop declared her to be a witch (an accusation which stuck because she was a non-Christian who, as a respected figure in the city, served the governor in an advisory role). Ultimately, she was beset by a Christian mob, dragged to a church, stripped naked, and brutally murdered as collateral damage in a fight for control of the city in which she lived.
Don’t take my word for it, here’s contemporary church historian Socrates Scholasticus:
“There was a woman at Alexandria named Hypatia, daughter of the philosopher Theon, who made such attainments in literature and science, as to far surpass all the philosophers of her own time. [...] Yet even she fell a victim to the political jealousy which at that time prevailed. For as she had frequent interviews with Orestes (n: Prefectus Augustalis, or governor, of the province of Egypt), it was calumniously reported among the Christian populace, that it was she who prevented Orestes from being reconciled to the bishop (n: Cyril). Some of them therefore, hurried away by a fierce and bigoted zeal, whose ringleader was a reader named Peter, waylaid her returning home, and dragging her from her carriage, they took her to the church called Caesareum, where they completely stripped her, and then murdered her with “ostraka” (n: alternately translated as pottery shards, oyster shells, or roofing tiles — it’s the difference between being stoned or being flayed). After tearing her body in pieces, they took her mangled limbs to a place called Cinaron, and there burnt them. This affair brought not the least opprobrium, not only upon Cyril, but also upon the whole Alexandrian church. And surely nothing can be farther from the spirit of Christianity than the allowance of massacres, fights, and transactions of that sort.”
It’s ugly and painful history, but it happened. If you are a Christian, your outrage should be directed at the un-Christlike behavior of her murderers, not at this film for having the audacity to shine a light on the tumultuous events of her life, the impact of which continues to be felt to this day. If one instead wishes to hold onto an overly-saccharine, black-and-white, “us-versus-them” view of the world, stick to Pureflix, and don’t crack open too many history books.
LONG STORY SHORT, you can safely ignore the foot-stamping, one-star, “but we’d never!” reviews polluting this thread; no matter how many “helpful” ratings they’ve received from those who don’t know the history and don’t want to believe anyone sharing a label they identify with could ever have behaved this way. You should be appalled, not because these things “didn’t happen!” but because they *did.*
That being established, let us finally examine “Agora.”
Constrained as it was by the runtime of a feature film, and in light of the complexity of its subject matter, “Agora” is faithful in its depiction of major events, and where gaps exist in the historical record (such as the findings of Hypatia’s astronomical studies), the directors restricted themselves to plausible extrapolations — which is noted in its epilogue text. For a historical drama, it does a better job than most of paying respect to its subject matter, depicting — in one way or another — just about every moment of her life which survives in writing (including her brutally direct method of dismissing a suitor). “Agora” has more in common with classic epics like “Ben Hur” and “Cleopatra” than more modern submissions like “Troy” or “Alexander,” with massive outdoor sets and casts of thousands of extras instead of mass employment of CGI. Hypatia’s research into an astronomical puzzle captures the joy of discovery, and the discussions she has with her students throughout avoid the trope of depicting ancient peoples as foolish. Massive set pieces and fantastic costuming capture the cosmopolitan nature of Alexandria, the only noticeable flub being 4th century Roman soldiers equipped in 1st century gear. Aerial shots capture a God’s-eye view of the horrors of mob violence, and pull-out shots of the entire Earth, the cries of her people a distant sigh, hearken back to Sagan’s “Pale Blue Dot” and serve as potent reminders of our place in the wider universe (how much blood have we spilled so that, in triumph and glory, we might become momentary masters of a fraction of a dot?). What do the skies see, indeed? It’s a time and a place we have rarely (if ever) seen portrayed in film, and Amenabar et al did a fantastic job with it.
The DVD features an hour-long “making of” documentary which is itself worth the price of purchase, and several deleted scenes (including one which very neatly portrays the life and duties of a Parabolani which should have been left in). It’s a smart, beautiful film that left me on the verge of tears by the end. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was inspired to start learning the real history after having seen it, and what I have learned has only given me greater appreciation for the effort the film made to reflect it honestly. The only named characters in the film who were not based on real people were two slaves in Hypatia’s household; Aspasius, who acts as her research assistant throughout, and Davus, who joins the Parabolani and ultimately shows Hypatia the mercy that history did not. I only wish that there had been a more widespread theatrical release or a blu-ray release of this film in the US.
(My only big complaint about it is the US cover art. It puts a secondary character front-and-center, daubed in blood, sword in hand. WHAT IS THIS AWFUL?! As much as this review focused on the violence recounted in this film, that violence IS NOT the main focus of the film, and regardless of victim or perpetrator, is consistently cast in a tragic light, not as anything righteous or to be celebrated. Not sure if someone thought that the promise of senseless violence would better appeal to an American audience than the more cerebral approach the film actually took. Strongly recommend you see it for yourself.)
Let’s address two of the most common complaints about its historical accuracy:
FIRST, the film directly acknowledges that the Great Library of Alexandria was gone by the time period depicted. The Serapeum was built in the 3rd century BC as a daughter library to the Great Library, and served as its public branch (it also doubled as a temple to the pagan god Serapis, which ultimately made it a target and led to its ordered destruction as depicted in the film). The Serapeum complex survived the fire which claimed its mother library, and by the 4th century, it was nearly 700 years old and effectively *was* the Library of Alexandria (there had been a second institution of learning in the city built by and for Christians known as the Catechetical School, but this school was destroyed a few years before the events of the film in Christian-on-Christian rioting resulting from the news that Constantinople, not Alexandria, would be recognized as the heart of Christendom in the Empire. The Catechetical School of Alexandria would not be rebuilt until the 19th century).
SECONDLY, every riot depicted in the film happened historically. In the events recreated, Pagans, Jews, and Christians alike were both perpetrators and victims of violence in tit-for-tat massacres. “Agora” offers a condemnation of religious extremism in general (NOT of Christianity specifically) and of those who exploit religion and the great passions it stirs for temporal gain — a lesson we ought to take to heart even in modern times.
To delve into the full and fascinating snarl of sectarian religious conflict in Alexandria at the time would have required expanding the film into a full miniseries (a la BBC’s “Rome”), and would have shifted focus away from Hypatia herself. As-is, “Agora” depicts Christians as being far more united than they were at the time, leaving out things such as the Christian-on-Christian riot over who would be Patriarch Theophilus’ successor (by summoning Nitrian monks from the desert to agitate on his behalf, Cyril ultimately defeated the older and more moderate archdeacon Timothy, and immediately began persecuting Christians of the Novatianist sect who had supported his opponent — none of which is shown in the film). A certain scene involving a Christian, a Pagan, and a bed of coals historically occurred between Christians of the Nicene and Novatianist sects, to give some idea of the intensity of the doctrinal divisions at the time; but depicting this event with the factions it truly involved would likely have provoked even more shrill cries of anti-Christian bias than the film already does.
It should already be clear by this point that Christians in 4th/5th century Alexandria were NOT like Christians today. This was a time when people came to blows over the wording of the liturgy; when bishops with competing views vied for the backing of government with which to persecute rival sects out of existence (to great effect — there’s a reason why most people today have never heard of Arianism, or Novatianists, or Origenists; history, and the doctrine accepted to this day on things such as the nature of the Trinity, was written by the victors of this ugly process, with the losers branded heretics to be stamped out and forgotten). The Reformation from which the modern church hails would only occur eleven centuries later, with much of the intervening period colloquially known as the Dark Ages. The instances of religious violence seen in “Agora” may be jarring if one is accustomed to Pureflix films intended to reinforce already-deeply-held beliefs and pat one’s self on the head for holding them, but an honest reading of history will confirm the veracity of these events.
“Agora” is ultimately a celebration of the life of a woman — a genius of her time — who lived in a very turbulent world. She was a philosopher, an astronomer, an educator who personally instructed men of multiple faiths who would rise to prominent positions throughout the late Roman Empire, and who is best remembered through their preserved writings. The nonpartisan environment she fostered in her classroom was an island of calm in a tempest, and in this film we get to see through her eyes as these events unfold. Tragically, a corrupt bishop sought to usurp power from the appointed governor, and in the course of undermining the governor’s support base, the bishop declared her to be a witch (an accusation which stuck because she was a non-Christian who, as a respected figure in the city, served the governor in an advisory role). Ultimately, she was beset by a Christian mob, dragged to a church, stripped naked, and brutally murdered as collateral damage in a fight for control of the city in which she lived.
Don’t take my word for it, here’s contemporary church historian Socrates Scholasticus:
“There was a woman at Alexandria named Hypatia, daughter of the philosopher Theon, who made such attainments in literature and science, as to far surpass all the philosophers of her own time. [...] Yet even she fell a victim to the political jealousy which at that time prevailed. For as she had frequent interviews with Orestes (n: Prefectus Augustalis, or governor, of the province of Egypt), it was calumniously reported among the Christian populace, that it was she who prevented Orestes from being reconciled to the bishop (n: Cyril). Some of them therefore, hurried away by a fierce and bigoted zeal, whose ringleader was a reader named Peter, waylaid her returning home, and dragging her from her carriage, they took her to the church called Caesareum, where they completely stripped her, and then murdered her with “ostraka” (n: alternately translated as pottery shards, oyster shells, or roofing tiles — it’s the difference between being stoned or being flayed). After tearing her body in pieces, they took her mangled limbs to a place called Cinaron, and there burnt them. This affair brought not the least opprobrium, not only upon Cyril, but also upon the whole Alexandrian church. And surely nothing can be farther from the spirit of Christianity than the allowance of massacres, fights, and transactions of that sort.”
It’s ugly and painful history, but it happened. If you are a Christian, your outrage should be directed at the un-Christlike behavior of her murderers, not at this film for having the audacity to shine a light on the tumultuous events of her life, the impact of which continues to be felt to this day. If one instead wishes to hold onto an overly-saccharine, black-and-white, “us-versus-them” view of the world, stick to Pureflix, and don’t crack open too many history books.
LONG STORY SHORT, you can safely ignore the foot-stamping, one-star, “but we’d never!” reviews polluting this thread; no matter how many “helpful” ratings they’ve received from those who don’t know the history and don’t want to believe anyone sharing a label they identify with could ever have behaved this way. You should be appalled, not because these things “didn’t happen!” but because they *did.*
That being established, let us finally examine “Agora.”
Constrained as it was by the runtime of a feature film, and in light of the complexity of its subject matter, “Agora” is faithful in its depiction of major events, and where gaps exist in the historical record (such as the findings of Hypatia’s astronomical studies), the directors restricted themselves to plausible extrapolations — which is noted in its epilogue text. For a historical drama, it does a better job than most of paying respect to its subject matter, depicting — in one way or another — just about every moment of her life which survives in writing (including her brutally direct method of dismissing a suitor). “Agora” has more in common with classic epics like “Ben Hur” and “Cleopatra” than more modern submissions like “Troy” or “Alexander,” with massive outdoor sets and casts of thousands of extras instead of mass employment of CGI. Hypatia’s research into an astronomical puzzle captures the joy of discovery, and the discussions she has with her students throughout avoid the trope of depicting ancient peoples as foolish. Massive set pieces and fantastic costuming capture the cosmopolitan nature of Alexandria, the only noticeable flub being 4th century Roman soldiers equipped in 1st century gear. Aerial shots capture a God’s-eye view of the horrors of mob violence, and pull-out shots of the entire Earth, the cries of her people a distant sigh, hearken back to Sagan’s “Pale Blue Dot” and serve as potent reminders of our place in the wider universe (how much blood have we spilled so that, in triumph and glory, we might become momentary masters of a fraction of a dot?). What do the skies see, indeed? It’s a time and a place we have rarely (if ever) seen portrayed in film, and Amenabar et al did a fantastic job with it.
The DVD features an hour-long “making of” documentary which is itself worth the price of purchase, and several deleted scenes (including one which very neatly portrays the life and duties of a Parabolani which should have been left in). It’s a smart, beautiful film that left me on the verge of tears by the end. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was inspired to start learning the real history after having seen it, and what I have learned has only given me greater appreciation for the effort the film made to reflect it honestly. The only named characters in the film who were not based on real people were two slaves in Hypatia’s household; Aspasius, who acts as her research assistant throughout, and Davus, who joins the Parabolani and ultimately shows Hypatia the mercy that history did not. I only wish that there had been a more widespread theatrical release or a blu-ray release of this film in the US.
(My only big complaint about it is the US cover art. It puts a secondary character front-and-center, daubed in blood, sword in hand. WHAT IS THIS AWFUL?! As much as this review focused on the violence recounted in this film, that violence IS NOT the main focus of the film, and regardless of victim or perpetrator, is consistently cast in a tragic light, not as anything righteous or to be celebrated. Not sure if someone thought that the promise of senseless violence would better appeal to an American audience than the more cerebral approach the film actually took. Strongly recommend you see it for yourself.)

F.T.F
5つ星のうち5.0
Epic. Without doubt a masterful recreation of the 4th Century world.
2020年10月22日に英国でレビュー済みAmazonで購入
Without doubt a masterful recreation of the 4th Century City of Alexandria in Northern Egypt.
This epic story of Science/Philosopher, Hypatia in a time of upheaval as the Roman Empire morphs into a new form of religious zeal, is undoubtably one of the great juxtaposition stories of all time.
Beautiful and carefully crafted, this gives us a tainted look at the dawn of a state religion and the dusk of pagan beliefs, taking with it the philosophical surroundings of astronomical thought, calculation and discovery. Needless to say this pushed back scientific advancements by centuries.
Non-the-less, the story centres on Hypatia's love of her art, her insatiable need to question everything, and it is this that puts her at odds with the emerging force of early Christianity.
Sad and viciously intolerant to "others", this story applifies all and any doubt that may have existed about the gentle harmonic rapture portrayed by modern Christian story tellers of their days of old. The archived records of slaughter upon Jews, pagans and atheists rings true, even if not seen, in this rendering of ancient history (just after the Nicaen debacle of 325 CE and the forming of the Christianised Bible order of 367).
The main and secondary stories are sympathetically told, showing us the order and beauty of Roman architecture, society, thought and beliefs - in opposition to the disruption, dismantling and distraction by the fanatical Christian cultist army who wrought their misguided wrath upon an unsuspecting but changing political landscape.
The reviews on here that cry foul about the portrayal of raw corrupt ideology and methodoligy of the early church fathers need not look at this production's efforts to bring this biopic to life. But instead, look at the historic archives with cross-referencing to see just how utterly wretched, murderous and uneducated the usurpers were that took a number of religious ideas and twisted them into a sick cult.
The world has never been the same since.
This epic story of Science/Philosopher, Hypatia in a time of upheaval as the Roman Empire morphs into a new form of religious zeal, is undoubtably one of the great juxtaposition stories of all time.
Beautiful and carefully crafted, this gives us a tainted look at the dawn of a state religion and the dusk of pagan beliefs, taking with it the philosophical surroundings of astronomical thought, calculation and discovery. Needless to say this pushed back scientific advancements by centuries.
Non-the-less, the story centres on Hypatia's love of her art, her insatiable need to question everything, and it is this that puts her at odds with the emerging force of early Christianity.
Sad and viciously intolerant to "others", this story applifies all and any doubt that may have existed about the gentle harmonic rapture portrayed by modern Christian story tellers of their days of old. The archived records of slaughter upon Jews, pagans and atheists rings true, even if not seen, in this rendering of ancient history (just after the Nicaen debacle of 325 CE and the forming of the Christianised Bible order of 367).
The main and secondary stories are sympathetically told, showing us the order and beauty of Roman architecture, society, thought and beliefs - in opposition to the disruption, dismantling and distraction by the fanatical Christian cultist army who wrought their misguided wrath upon an unsuspecting but changing political landscape.
The reviews on here that cry foul about the portrayal of raw corrupt ideology and methodoligy of the early church fathers need not look at this production's efforts to bring this biopic to life. But instead, look at the historic archives with cross-referencing to see just how utterly wretched, murderous and uneducated the usurpers were that took a number of religious ideas and twisted them into a sick cult.
The world has never been the same since.

Nemeng
5つ星のうち1.0
Italian Blu-Ray disc with NO ENGLISH options =(
2022年9月26日にオーストラリアでレビュー済みAmazonで購入
Bought this hoping it would have an English sound track or, at least, English subtitles. Nup - none. Only Italian audio options and Italian subtitles. Consequently the disc went straight into the bin. Great picture though. So only buy this if you are fluent in Italian =/