Film Review: The Third Testament

by Bill Daehler

Somewhere between the Da Vinci Code and a Michael Moore film lies the newly released mockumentary, The Third Testament, by writer-director Matt Dallmann. The Third Testament has the intrigue and biblical conspiracy of a Dan Brown film with the substance and style of an investigative documentary.

The discovery by archeologists of what is deemed the ‘Third Testament’ results in the texts being added to the canon of the bible. Following this discovery the films protagonist Elizabeth discovers her husband, a religious man, is missing and a creepy atheist archeologist named Phineas Black is suspected to know where and why.

A mysterious organization pays a documentary filmmaker to follow Elizabeth on the search for her husband which leads her to question her faith and uncover the centuries old mystery behind the third testament.

The Third Testament will be shown at the 2011 International Freethought Film Festival. The American Humanist Association is a sponsor of the festival where The Third Testament will be shown alongside 9 other films that promote “reason, critical thinking and freedom of inquiry.” The International Freethought Film Festival will be held from May 13-15 in Tampa Bay, Florida.

The Third Testament has excellent cinematography and an interesting storyline. Some scenes may leave viewers puzzled as to the direction of the story but it all seems to come together nicely in the end. Despite what some could see as a bit of overacting, The Third Testament will keep viewers engaged and strongly invested in the story and its characters. For anyone looking for a good biblical mystery, The Third Testament provides for a strong story and quality film.

Bill Daehler is the communications intern for the American Humanist Association. He is a senior majoring in political science and journalism at the University of Kansas.