Agora Movie Reviews

Richly done and awesome actors with lots of great scenes, costumes and sets. Was slightly long and yet some of the dialogue from Rachel was a lillte silly, don't you think that almost made no sense at all.

7/10

shazjoao@ - 1728 reviews
31.10.2011

Excellent movie. I believe to this day, that misunderstanding of the followers between religions still exist, although a little less barbaric in dealing with the conflict. In my opinion, humanity reached the point where we could at least respect philosophy and science while keeping our faith in whom ever God we choose.

9/10

redcap1210@ - 32 reviews
28.9.2010 - age: 26-35

A moving movie. Very classic of the era. Makes a lot of sense if you are the type that you're aware of your sense of being. Great Movie.

9/10	saade@ - first review 3.9.2010 - age: 26-35

A brilliant movie showing how religious beliefs (pagan, Christians and Jews in this case) can lead to senseless violence and at the expense of greater knowledge.

10/10

clifforda@ - 92 reviews
15.8.2010 - age: 36-49

Really enjoyed the movie, despite taking place in ancient history, the topic is still very current. Recommended!

9/10

jimenezm.mcarolina@ - 2 reviews
9.8.2010 - age: 26-35

It is a good movie. Good acting, but the two leading men were a bit too light, not carrying the movie... The villian was greatly acted, overpowering the leading men... Nonetheless, very entertaining, very eye-opening to see a bit of history in the film maker's eyes.

8/10

howardtaco1999@ - 69 reviews
19.7.2010 - age: 36-49

Very good movie, but just a movie. It shouldn't be taken as "gospel", if I may. But more seriously, it's not 100% historically accurate. The director took some freedom, which is normal since he needed to express his views on the topic. Nevertheless, viewers should also read about the topic if they want to learn more about it. A movie, even as wonderful as this one, is never enough. We cannot summarize the religious experience to what is portray, even when it comes to ancient times.

10/10

konan_a@ - 4 reviews
15.7.2010 - age: 36-49

Agora was an amazing film! The acting, set and story were all very well done. It was also really inspiring to see a female historical figure that was brilliant, brave and scientific finally get recognized. Most of all the film really portrays the idea that reason and intellect need to be protected from religious fanatics---at any period of time.

10/10

mara_33_9@ - 2 reviews
13.7.2010 - age: 18-25

This movie left me with mixed feelings. I learned a lot about the story of Hypatia and about the burning of the library at Alexandria (although I realize that this highly fictionalized) The visuals and the spectacle were very well done. Rach Weisz was excellent, but the movie felt awkward and dated in many ways. Its themes about religious dissent and the pettiness and pomp of religion are relevant today and putting it the context of the massiveness of the entire solar system was effective. There were many parts of the movie where actors seemed miscast and the movie felt stilted.

6/10

helenl8@ - 80 reviews
10.7.2010 - age: 50+

I thought the movie was excellent, great costumes, historical and totally relevant to what is still happening to this day regarding religious wars.

10/10

c6934@ - 9 reviews
9.7.2010 - age: 50+

Excellent script writing. Excellent directing. Excellent acting. This movie has it all, especially with its attention to historical detail and capacity to illustrate on screen what happens to the human thought process, no matter how inspired in its origins, when it encounters mob psychology. I was deeply satisfied with my film going experience, as was one of my like-aged, literate male friends in Ottawa.

9/10

phl222@ - 20 reviews
9.7.2010 - age: 50+

I haven't been able to stop thinking about this film since I saw it. A historical drama about the philosopher and teacher Hypatia, and the burning of the library in Alexandria, it deals with universal issues that are still relevant today, namely the eternal battle between reason and faith. None of the conflicting religions come of well (Christianity, Paganism, Judaism) The burning of the library was a historical tragedy. Carl Sagan once wrote that if the knowledge of the library had survived, man would have made it to the moon centuries earlier. The fact that it was burnt in the name of religion and in fear of science - well, things like that are still happening today. Whatever your belief system, this film will provide plenty of fuel for intelligent dialogue. Just go and watch with an open mind. Every aspect of the film was excellent. Rachel Weisz deserves and Oscar nomination - it is her finest acting. The sets and costumes are recreated historically and beautifully. The camerawork is creative, and the script is thought-provoking. The movie won several awards in Europe. I suspect that the religious right in North America is impeding the film's progress here. Don't miss it!

10/10

singdude@ - first review
9.7.2010 - age: 36-49 - One reply

This was a beautiful movie. The sets were amazing, the acting was wonderful and story was fabulous! Love to see a movie where the female protagonist is highly intelligent, independent, free thinking and unmarried. Go see it!

9/10

pixieblue75@ - 3 reviews
7.7.2010 - age: 18-25

I wanted to see this movie mainly because I had never seen anyone portray Hypatia's life as the focus of a movie. That, and the other choices available to me on the evening in question were pretty painful. I found the film to be somewhat compelling, but also plodding and awkward at times. I'm glad I paid less than $10 to see it. It wasn't terrible, it had its moments. I don't know if it's a "must see on the big screen" movie though.

6/10	transmit_source@ - first review 4.7.2010 - age: 36-49

Brilliant movie! My friend mentioned the movie and she wasn't sure what it was about; all she knew it was about ancient egypt - thats the only reason I went to see it. The movie is about love, faith, and science. All actors played so well. I think it's called agora because of it's later function i.e. marketplace. Those who yell really loud and can market their goods and thats how the birth of a religion was portrayed in the movie.

9/10

dexteriot@ - 16 reviews
4.7.2010 - age: 36-49

I don't get out to see films much these days but I happened to see Rachel Weisz interviewed by Charlie Rose and it drew my attention to this one since I find this subject matter facinating. It was a moving experience for me and I thought the production was sumptuous. Of course there are difficulties in making a movie like this since it has to tread a line between historical content and entertaining drama. To really do it right it would have to be about four hours long so I won't hold it against the director if either aspect was not completely filled out. Although many of the details were speculative it will hopefully reveal to movie-goers who know little about the history of science and religion some of the events that have shaped the world we live in today and how people think and act as they do. It may actually inspire some to look this stuff up. Incidentally there were a few bits of subtle visual symbolism thrown in for good measure. Rob R.

9/10	syntaxsigns@ - first review 24.6.2010 - age: 50+

My taste in movies is varied upon my mood, time of day, etc. This is an afternoon matinee movie for me. It is very serious. The movie touches on material that is so very timely: the themes of the role of religion in the state, and science versus religion. There is a lot of violence between the three religious groups, vengence by the masses instigated by their leaders for the purposes of the latter. I wished the movie had put more emphasis on the intrigues of the various religious leaders, particularly the bishop of the Christians, to gain political leadership in the city. This was the plot of the movie; however, the final takeover by the Christian bishop was in written statements at the end. It was very interesting that the tension between science and religion was only insofar as these two belief systems, having an inquisitive mind as opposed to an absolute belief in God, could be used to defeat your political enemies rather than the rightness of the ideas proposed by each. The movie could have been better, but it sure makes you think about the world today.

7/10

mcgoey_mc@ - 17 reviews
21.6.2010 - age: 36-49

Very original, brilliant film, set in a very important time in History. A must see if you are not interested in reading a lot of history books. This will sum up what you missed and give you a deeper understanding about the so-called religious wars, the truth behind the massacre and the destruction of beautiful art, architecture and what once was.

10/10

hildove@ - 2 reviews
19.6.2010 - age: 50+ - One reply

A massive daring project to undertake, on the scale of a David Lean movie. Innovative in the cinematography and editing. Sets beautifully recreated. The plot a bit hard to follow at times could have done with a tighter rewrite. The subject is fascinating but not for your average Hollywood viewer. Ms. Wiess carried the movie well but looked pale and washed out at times. Perhaps a touch more makeup in the close ups. Overall it was a refreshing enjoyable movie that shows an incredible creative effort - the credits at the end go on for ever. I loved it and would recommend it.

8/10	alanwilding@ - first review 18.6.2010 - age: 50+

Don't understand why this movie was made. The sets are great, but it's a boring costume drama that isn't compelling or particularly relevant.

4/10

johanna@ - first review
13.6.2010 - age: 50+ - One reply

This movie is a sleeper. It digs deeper than most of its genre have done previously. As it takes license with what historical facts are not critical, it moves us from a Greek tragedy in form to a most contemporary allegory. As a “take away” from this the underlying problem may very well not be human ignorance, not religion, not lack of courage, not sincerity or lack thereof, not greed, and not lust for power, but the very unevolved levels of human consciousness which inevitably express as these. It is well worth more than the time viewed.

9/10	weefolk@ - first review 13.6.2010 - age: 50+

The theme of the movie is very provocative since it emphasizes an era of the Christian faith which is very often romanticized. Indeed, parallels can be drawn between this period of history and our current experiences of religious intolerance & misunderstanding. However, the acting and dialogue was very weak. I wanted to know more about the library.

6/10

angberr@ - 110 reviews
13.6.2010 - age: 36-49

She was telling them about buddha, she was telling them about mohamed in one breath, but clearly, she did not care to tell them about the innocent one, the one who came and died for the guilty... the sacrificial lamb... the lamb of God. I mean, let's face it, there she was, in the then prime centre of knowledge in the then known world and she does not even care to ask even a simple question like, e. g.," how close is uranus to mars? " other than this, the movie was 'comme si, comme ça'.

5/10

scbj10@ - first review
12.6.2010 - age: 50+ - 10 replies

Your review makes no sense.
julieb43 - 15.6.2010 - age: 36-49

How she could tell them about Buddha or Mohammed, I can't quite fathom - neither of those individuals had yet been born... And what has a superstition like Christianity to do with "the prime centre of knowledge in the then known world"?
jcmalo - 20.6.2010

Just to clear up a few things: Uranus was discovered by William Herschel in 1781 and cannot be seen without a telescope. It's distance from Mars is variable for obvious reasons. Buddha lived c. 500 BC but how much was known about him or his philosophy in Hypatia's time I don't know. Mohammed lived from 570 to 632 AD. Alexandria was finally conquered by Islamic armies in 655 AD, at least some of the library's books still existed. Rob R.
syntaxsigns - 24.6.2010 - age: 50+

Thanks for the Buddha correction. I imagine contemporary accounts of him and his belief systems came back with the veterans from Alexander the Great's incursion into India.
jcmalo - 26.6.2010 - age: 50+

That's interesting information about Alexander's companion. Of course that is separated from Hypatia's time by about seven hundred years and as far as I understand scholarship had dropped off somewhat by then. There are stories from India that Jesus travelled there where he gained much of his spiritual philosophy. That is very outside speculation but apparently Thomas (the doubter) went to southern India after Jesus died and set us a ministry. There is a Christian group still there that believes this. It's unfortunate that so much knowledge has been lost as this film illustrates but it gives historians many mysteries to sink their teeth into.
syntaxsigns - 27.6.2010 - age: 50+

You missed the point of the movie, as it was about real knowledge as opposed to the dogmatic knowledge reflected in closed systems of belief, just like the Christian reference you just referenced. Christ did not come to be worshipped. No. Christ came to teach people about the existence of God, and the Kingdom of Heaven within, and without. When you worship a man, who came in the name of God, to teach about God, then, in essence, you are breaking the 3rd Commandment "Do not have any other gods before me"... get it? Jesus was not God, he came to teach about God. Make him into what he is not, and you've missed the very essence of what the man you are worshipping came to teach. I am repeating myself on purpose... This movie was about knowledge, and yes, Alexandria was the repository of all knowledge at the time, and Alexander the Great did study and learn the mysteries in India, and yes, he did travel with an Indian Saint, and yes, he did know the teachings of the Buddha and Mohammed, and yes, he did know of Master Yeshua Ben Joseph teachings, as these men, Jeshua and Alexander were BOTH educated in the Mysetery Schools of Egypt, India, and Hebrew mysticism, as well as Tibetan systems of knowledge... where did you think Jeshua was for 17 years, before he began his Ministry, hanging out on a beach somewhere? He was learning, he was an adept, he was training to show YOU how to be just as he was (and still is) "All these things and more, shall YE do". How people can misinterpret this sentence, I just cannot fathom. Know thyself, and all will be well.
firehorse777 - 27.6.2010 - age: 18-25

Excellent reply to the above comments!! I thought the movie was excellent. Unfortunately religious wars waged by fanatical barbarians continue to this day. Unbelievable that the Christians of that time thought nothing of trashing the Library of Alexandria. Imagine if that knowledge were available now?
c6934 - 9.7.2010 - age: 50+

That knowledge IS available today. Where do you think I get my information. It's everywhere, but, the most important thing is to 'know thyself'. In you, is the entire knowledge of the entire Universe. One only has to be still, and to allow the flow of information to flow. 'Be Still and Know that I Am God'. See, most people think this is an external God speaking about itself. As if, when we are still, then we can recognize that God exists. But really, this is the most profound spiritual instruction ever given, and I believe it's from Psalms 46:10. Be still and know that God exists within not only you, but within everything. If this is true, and one only has to realize this for oneself, then you come home to the Essential Self. It's something that this world is diametrically opposed to, because there is so much infrastructure invested in people not knowing Who they are. Our entire economy is founded upon ego insecurity. Low self esteem is what turns the wheels of commerce. It's no surprise to me that people take the stance they do with films such as this... We live in a world of conformity and sameness, anyone who goes against this trend, is in for a rough, but, ultimately rewarding existence, not only in this world but beyond. Take a look around you, doesn't everyone kind of exalt in their 'same-ness'? If only individuality, and uniqueness were put up on a pedestal as much as superficiality, and trading in Real Life, for style... I'm talking to all you' texters' out there, who walk down the street, treating everyone else around you as if they were furniture. If only you knew that everyone around you WAS THE MEANING YOU ARE SEEKING IN THIS WORLD! WE only really have each other, and, thank God for that. It's time to wake up and start caring about one another, before it's too late. God wants us to express our individual nature in this world, and spiritualize this dense, dark planet with the light and love of the Divine - how do I know this? Because I know who I am. Thank you for your encouraging comments.
firehorse777 - 10.7.2010 - age: 18-25

Your words speak wisdom... are you sure you are in the 18-25 age group? Most young people your age (my children included) are only interested in buying 'stuff', texting, partying etc. It's nice to read the words from someone so young on a true spiritual path instead of one of materialism.
c6934 - 16.7.2010 - age: 50+

I'm actually younger than that. "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven". Young of mind, and heart, body notwithstanding. We need to go through this particular phase in our collective evolution to seemingly loose connection to our inner Guru/God/Buddha/Christ, in order to gain the Kingdom of Heaven within and without. Our inheritance awaits. BUT, for us to finally learn what is REALLY important on this planet, we must go through learning about what is LEAST important. It doesn't have to be this way, but it seems that this is what people need, in order to catapult them into a greater understanding of their True Natures. What is the 'Kingdom within'? It's something that is gained only through surrendering to Self.'Christos', is loosely translated simply means, 'the true nature of everyone'. Therefore, we are all Christ. This is all this great teacher was ever trying to teach.'Did I not say, Ye are Gods'? , or, 'All these things and more, shall Ye do'. And, are not all things, done, in the name of almighty God/Source/Brahma? The greatest joke of existence, is that we've managed to kill one another in the name of God, without realizing that we all come from the same Source. So sad. We cannot even manage to make eye contact anymore, and smiling at one another had not yet become a trend, and so, like lemmings people do what the media incites them to do. As I said, insecurity makes commerce a LOT OF MONEY, and that's the name of this particular game right now. We are moving out of the Hades phase of our collective existence, and into an elevated state of consciousness, where pre-eminance is put upon loving one another, rather than worshipping objects and things. The ego is putting up a mighty struggle, and you can see it all around you. Homogeneousness is the name of the game. People are literally stupefied, and mesmerized by their technology. # inch screens have become a substitute for reality. It's easier to numb out, than to actually engage in life, by waving 'hello', or actually connecting with other human beings, or should I say, human 'doings'? I only see one thing that can 'save' this world, and that is love. First learn to love yourself, and DARE to be an individual. Dare to be unique, for God wants to express IT'S uniqueness THROUGH you. Then DARE to love one another, and your Divine inheritance will be exactly where you left it when you decided to go to sleep, and forget your Divine Kingship. You ARE Divine, wake up! Smile, the whole world awaits your gentle embrace. Agora is about just how we decide to disconnect form reality, and from our brave teacher's real teachings. How Christ's teaching can become so distorted, as to actually be expressed as the exact opposite as it's original intent. No guru. No method. No teacher. Who are you? Why are you here? What is the meaning of life? Only you can answer these profound questions. I already no, for me, that life is exactly as you intend it to be. Be like little children, and you gain the entire Kingdom. Dare to be YOU, and not the media substitute, so many are attempting to live right now. Peace.
firehorse777 - 16.7.2010 - age: 18-25

Great! To live life for the purpose of the question.

10/10

surfspark@ - first review
12.6.2010 - age: 36-49

This film has great acting, costumes and sets.

9/10

narmiento@ - 4 reviews
22.5.2010 - age: 50+

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8.3

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