Resourcefully made docu-propaganda recounts the Biblical story of Noah , cites potentially supportive archaeological evidence, and chronicles centuries of ark search attempts and unverifiable sightings on Mount Ararat occurring as recently as the 20th Century.
THE ARK OF NOAH is Bart La Rue's only directorial effort besides the insufferable SATAN WAR(1979). Whereas the latter certainly deserves mention as one of the worst films ever made, ARK OF NOAH is, surprisingly, fairly watchable, though far more of an audio experience than a visual one. Mr. La Rue himself narrates with a robust, relaxing monotone tailor made for storytelling. What is offered onscreen is little more than hastily compiled travelogue snippets filmed(presumably) in the general region of Mount Ararat which, moreoften than not, bear little in consuetude with the narrator's exposition. The semi-avant-gard amateur background music sounds suspiciously like freeform noodling, and could very well be at least partially improvised .
ARK OF NOAH takes a rigidly one-sided Christian approach to subject matters vitally obligated to a diversified symposium(every civilization on Earth has folklore involving a flood catastrophe, yet none are acknowledged). A few remarks are, quite honestly, forthrightly anti-Muslim, and at no time are any Biblical details of the Deluge ever called into question. The verdict here is simple...a film made by Christians for Christians. That's all good and well, but I had hoped for a more thought-provoking SUNN CLASSICS sort of picture focused on detailing a compelling historical mystery rather than attempting to explain it away with a modicum of questionable data and resolute adherence to the scriptures
3.5/10.
