The Fourth Wise Man (1985)
Run time: 1 hour 11 minutes
Equally appropriate at Christmastime as well as at Easter, this modest budget film from Paulist Pictures follows a fourth wise man, the physician Artaban (Martin Sheen), who sets off late for the journey from Persia following the star to present three precious gems to the King of Kings. After narrowly missing the Holy Family on their escape from Herod's soldiers, along the way he is further delayed by stopping to heal the sick. The action is interspersed with humorous commentary from Artaban's reluctant yet faithful servant (Alan Arkin), in the form of letters to Artaban's father back home. A wonderful story about the search for Christ without and within. |
