The Promise (2017) Review

In 1915 the Ottoman Empire was on its knees and preparing to fall. In this dark hour, the Turks tried to annihilate the Armenian (Christian) people. The Promise tells those events in nucleus of an Armenian family, the protagonist being Michael who wants to become a doctor, and using dowry of his betrothed he goes to the Imperial School. There he meets the love of his life, Ana who is an Armenian woman who spent time learning to dance in France, whose lover and companion is Christ (Christian Bale) an American reporter. The Promise tells the untold story of what happened to Armenian people, how Ottomans waged war on these innocent people. I happened to have friends in Jerusalem, one of whom in streets of that holy city showed me the charts of Armenian Genocide, and with tears they told me of how their grandparents didn't make it out alive, much like a family seen in this film.

The Promise is a movie every Christian should see. Why? Because this is the future. Near the climax of movie, the Armenians decide to make an enclave and encampment in some rocking hills, there they make their last stand like Bedouins with tents and rifles that are falling apart against a well equipped Ottoman Turk army. I was reminded in seeing the Armenians in their simple abodes and their lack of technology is how we will be when Antichrist wages war on us, "And the beast was allowed to wage war against God’s holy people and to conquer them. And he was given authority to rule over every tribe and people and language and nation. And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered before the world was made" (Revelation 13:7-8), and that he will have control of the modern weapons because no one can buy or sell them without his mark, "He required everyone—small and great, rich and poor, free and slave—to be given a mark on the right hand or on the forehead. And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name."(Revelation 3:16-17). The entire battle between Armenians and Ottomans reminds me of the battle between the Antichrist forces and the Alpha & Omega's in last days (Revelation 18 and 19).

This film has long been over due. The quality of cinematography, cast, and acting is on par with a Ridley Scott epic and the better docu-dramas. The Promise is about what happens when nations decides to commit genocide like Ottomans really did, and how Nazis did the same to the Jews. There have been plenty of epic and grand films of Holocaust, but very few of Armenian Holocaust. Over 1.4 Million Armenians were slaughtered in this savage campaign by the Turks, and to this day the Turkish Government denies this, just as there are those who deny the Holocaust of the Jews. The Promise highlights a dark chapter without becoming morbid, while there are difficult scenes occasionally, there is nothing gruesome. For those not familiar with Armenian Orthodox Christianity, you will be introduced to the incredible Cantors (singers) of the Armenian Church, and the lush culture of one of the oldest Christian cultures. The Promise has themes of forgiveness, loving your enemy, and the struggle to survive.

At one point a priest is asked will Jesus protect them (in a final stand) and priest asks these people to pray, and he prays for protection. Had the priest known the Holy Bible well, he would have known that Jesus promises suffering (see my many posts on suffering). The truth is we will either be supernaturally protected in such times (Revelation 3:10) or die and be with LORD (Revelation 14:13, Philippians 1:23). The Promise is a movie that will educate and prepare us for the coming persecution. Indeed, the Promise is a promise of coming antichrist persecution (Revelation 13:7). I think every Christian brother and sister must see this to get a sense of what is going to happen to us. Only there will not be a French ship, only the Savior's arms welcoming us in heaven or the Savior returning on clouds to judge (Revelation 1;7, Revelation 19:11-16).