Noah is a film directed by Darren Aronofsky based on the biblical story of Noah’s Ark. The film offers a directorial interpretation of the story about a world-engulfing flood and therefore causes mixed assessments. Respect for the Bible poses directors who want to make a film about the biblical plot before the dilemma. They should choose between a box office and a spectacular movie that does not correspond to the Book of Genesis or convey a story, which is likely to gather few viewers. Thus, although the film tells about a world-engulfing flood, it is not an accurate adaptation of Bible history but its creative reflection.
The biblical story’s inconsistency begins with the first frame of the film when Tubal-Cain kills Noah’s father – Lamech. According to the Bible, Lamech died without violence after seven hundred and seventy-seven years of life (“Genesis 5: 28-31,” n.d). Changing the story in this way, the director creates a conflict line in the film, which adds entertainment and tension to the plot. In the film, Tubal-Cain makes his way to the ark during the flood, and when Noah finds him, a battle takes place between them (Aronofsky, 2014). Another storyline associated with this episode also does not correspond to the biblical narrative – a conflict with Noah’s son Ham due to injustice in the family.
Ham helps Tubal-Cain make his way to the ark avenging his father for not allowing Ham to find a companion for himself. In the Bible, all three of Noah’s sons, like his father, had wives with whom they entered the ark (“Genesis 7:13,” n.d.). However, in the film, only Shem has a wife – Ila, whom the family found wounded during their trip (Aronofsky, 2014). Having built the ark, Noah went to find wives for the other two sons but seeing how sinful people are, and how they blow daughters, he decides that humanity does not deserve survival. Since he and his younger brother Japheth are left alone, Ham is angry with his father. Despite this, Ham still saves Noah during the battle with Tubal-Cain.
Noah’s reflection that humankind is unworthy of salvation gives rise to another line of inconsistencies. This storyline probably originates from Noah’s visions, which are also transmitted differently from the Bible. According to the Book of Genesis, the Lord spoke with Noah, saying that He would destroy people, and ordered him to build an ark (Genesis 6: 13-14, n.d.). However, in the film, the main character receives only prophetic dreams he should interpret himself, which leads to conflict. In this way, in the plot, the fate of humankind was entrusted to Noah.
The family is confident that Shem’s wife cannot have children, and without taking wives for the other two sons, the father decides in this way to destroy humanity. However, a miracle occurs, and Ila becomes pregnant, which almost drives Noah crazy – if a granddaughter is born, he promises to kill her (Aronofsky, 2014). The birth of twin girls is another intense and spectacular moment. Everyone is trying to stop the head of the family from killing, but he still puts a dagger over them. However, in the end, he cannot murder babies, which, as his daughter-in-law later says, can be explained by love in the heart.
The film director fills it with his own ideas and interprets the gaps contained in the biblical story. For instance, while building the ark, another discrepancy appears: Watchers help make it (Aronofsky, 2014). They are fallen angels, the idea of which is not taken from the Bible. Another free interpretation is that animals arrive on their own on the ark. Moreover, the heroes put them to sleep during the journey so that everyone can survive it. Such details once again draw the audience’s attention to the fact that the film was made based on Bible history and does not convey it precisely.
Despite all the inconsistencies, I see some value in the film from a Christian point of view. It provides an opportunity to get to know more about the Book of Genesis for those who have not read it. Moreover, in addition to inconsistencies, actual reflections and stories are also included in the narrative. For example, the story of sin and its aftermath – the killing of people raises an important topic and can make the audience think about human nature. Even the plot’s central conflict – Noah’s choice to destroy or not destroy people, demonstrates that in decisions, it is necessary to be guided by love because God is love.
In conclusion, director Darren Aronofsky 2014 presented his own vision of the history of the world-engulfing flood in the film Noah. The plot is only based on the Book of Genesis and is not intended to reflect it fully. Among the main inconsistencies with the biblical texts is Noah’s quarrel with his son Ham due to his refusal to find wives for him. Moreover, there is the battle with Tubal-Cain that arose as a result of the dispute, and Noah’s doubts about the need to save humanity, which led to these conflicts. Other inconsistencies, such as the presence of fallen angels, are not so significant for the plot. Despite the distortion of the biblical story, the film still has value. It is not just a spectacular movie, but it also raises important philosophical questions. Moreover, the film itself and the debate around it acquaint the audience, albeit partially with the Book of Genesis, and recall the importance of love in human life.
References
Aronofsky, D. (2014). Noah [Film]. Paramount Pictures.
Genesis 5:28-31. (n.d.). BibleGateway. 2021, Web.
Genesis 6:13-14. (n.d.). Bible. 2021, Web.
Genesis 7:13. (n.d.). BibleGateway. 2021, Web.