John Hus

Studio: Vision Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Description
Here is an important chapter in the steps leading up to the Reformation. The history books make little mention of this Bohemian priest and scholar who lived 100 years before Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. Yet, John Hus was convinced and taught openly that the Bible should be presented in the language of the people, that salvation comes by faith in Jesus Christ, and the Word of God is the final authority. He taught in the University of Prague and as a pastor, challenged the abuses of medieval Christendom.

Intrigue and false promises weave a powerful story of one man's commitment to faith in Jesus Christ. He was summoned to the Council of Constance and promised safety, but he was betrayed. In the end, Hus was accused, imprisoned, and charged with heresy. Ultimately, he was condemned and burned at the stake as a heretic.

Description

Here is an important chapter in the steps leading up to the Reformation. The history books make little mention of this Bohemian priest and scholar who lived 100 years before Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation. Yet, John Hus was convinced and taught openly that the Bible should be presented in the language of the people, that salvation comes by faith in Jesus Christ, and the Word of God is the final authority. He taught in the University of Prague and as a pastor, challenged the abuses of medieval Christendom.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent film about a little known person.......2007-03-17

This film is well done. The acting is excelent. The account of the trial is excellent, and shows what John Hus was up against. The scene with the Emperor and the Bishop was excellent,and is a key to understanding what happened to John Hus. I recommend that those who buy this, also buy the film on John Wycliffe, whose influence was great upon John Hus.

His Story Should Be Told More.......2007-03-09

A big Hus fan, it is nice that the previously released VHS version is now on DVD.

Why this part of history should be viewed and taken to heart by the church is that history has strange phenomena of repeating itself. What this brief inquiry drama into Hus' life shows is what can happen when those in control and power of church are challenged. Silence their critics with force. I continually show this in Bible study class about history with the tie to Martin Luther. Luther was accused of being a Hussite. He was proud of this, for he knew full well that Hus was so similar: proclaimer of gospel by grace through faith, and promised free travel to and from the Diet, but in Hus' case the return trip was denied.

The politics of the church to suppress the truth is the master item to be gleaned from this well done piece. The tension for the viewer is strong at the end, when even then no one will answer specifically what this preacher has said wrong from God's Word that would require him to meet the flame. Then that beautiful singing as the flames begin to caress. Haunting! A lesson to be learned here.

Further interested in Hus will find scholar Spinka's works excellent, but expensive in most cases as are out of print.

Just Okay, But At Least Gets the Hus Story Out..........2006-11-27

John (Jan) Hus challenged the Roman Catholic Church arguing that the Bible is the final authority in matters of doctrine and that Christ, not the pope, is head of the church. Most importantly, Hus preached that salvation was by faith alone, a gift that in no way could be bought, worked for, or earned. Hus was martyred after being betrayed by the Holy Roman Emperor, who went back on his promise to Hus of safe passage to the Council of Constance.

It would seem that Hus' story would be exciting, but this movie, a historical drama rather than a documentary, is rather bland actually, only very superficially telling us of Hus, not mentioning much about his following Wycliffe's teachings nor telling us anything of his personal life and relations that might draw us more into his character. The acting and production is not as good as most other Reformation or Pre-Reformation films I've seen; however, this is the only movie on John Hus that I'm aware of (not to say there aren't others), so I'm grateful for it being out there.

OTAKAR VAVRA.......2006-05-08

A version of this priest biography was done by Otakar Vavra long time ago. What it would be interesting to know is, if this is just one more " singleton " and " simpleton " Hollywood remake.

Good quality acting and presentation.......2005-12-03

This is one of the better films to be found concerning the reformation. The acting is good and the script is historically accurate.

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