THE OATH – A Review by John Strange
This film, set in the 4th century A.D., purports to be about two sons of Joseph of Egypt and their followers who crossed the ocean to a promised land (the Americas?). Like Cain and Able, their feud over birthright split the group into the Nephites and the Lamanites.
After a long war, only one Nephite remains. Moroni (Darin Scott) is living his life in a cave and following the teachings of his forefathers. King Aaron (Billy Zane) is determined to find him but doesn’t know where to look. Until Bathsheba (Nora Dale) defies him and runs into the wilderness.
The King sends his best tracker, Mahigana (Karina Lombard), and some of his men to track her done and bring her back.
This story is not helped by the attempt to have the characters speak in a different language with English subtitles. The filmmaker cuts to pure English periodically but the transition was more disruptive than helpful. And Mr. Zane’s occasional Irish brogue was even more annoying.
There are religious undertones to the film that are, to me, not well-defined. In fact, it will not surprise me if many viewers fail to see them.
I wanted to like this film. But it was just not the film I had hoped it to be. Sadly, this can happen when the same person writes, stars in, directs, and edits a film. There is no one to point out these types of errors.
Director: Darin Scott
Cast: Darin Scott, Billy Zane, Eugene Brave Rock, Nora Dale, Karina Lombard
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for violent content)
Selig Rating: 2 Stars
Runtime: 104 Min.
Release Date: 12/08/2023
Local Release Locations: AMC DINE-IN Mesquite 30, AMC DINE-IN Stonebriar 24 (Frisco), AMC Firewheel 18 (Garland), AMC DINE-IN Grapevine Mills 30, AMC The Parks At Arlington 18, Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas (Euless), Cinemark Legacy and XD (Plano), Burleson PREMIERE LUX Cine 14 Burleson Commons, Studio Movie Grill Spring Valley 16 (Dallas), Studio Movie Grill Chisolm Trail Ranch (Fort Worth)
Language: English
Movie Site: THE OATH Official Site
Trailer: THE OATH Trailer
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.
