Lavish Biblical spectacle starring Joan Collins as Esther, the Jewish girl who marries King Ahasuerus of Persia in hopes of helping ease the persecution of her conquered people. Richard Egan, Denis O'Dea star; Raoul Walsh directs. 109 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.

The story of the young Jewish girl who captivates the King of Persia and urges him to show mercy on her people features an all-star cast that includes F. Murray Abraham, Jurgen Prochnow, Ornella Muti, and Louise Lombard as Esther. 91 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; Subtitles: English.

Humiliated by his previous wife, King Xerxes (Luke Goss) falls for and marries the young and confident Hadassah (Tiffany Dupont), who has changed her name to Esther in order to conceal her Jewish heritage. Once vested with the powers of royalty, Esther fights to rescue her people from annihilation. Opulent production values mark this stirring Biblical epic, also starring Omar Sharif, John Rhys-Davies, Tommy "Tiny" Lister, and Peter O'Toole. 124 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: English, Spanish.

Director Michael Curtiz ("Casablanca") presents this fascinating religious drama examining the remarkable life of St. Francis of Assisi. The son of a wealthy cloth merchant, Francis gives up all of his worldly possessions in order to focus on dedicating his life to God and selflessly helping the needy. Bradford Dillman, Dolores Hart, Stuart Whitman star. 105 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 4.0, Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; newsreel footage.

Franco Zeffirelli relates the tale of St. Francis of Assisi, an Italian soldier who returns from the Crusades and dismisses his family's material wealth for selfless devotion to others. Co-stars Graham Faulkner, Judi Bowker and Alec Guinness as Pope Innocent III; songs by Donovan. 121 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English.

In this compelling, compassionate film biography of the life of St. Francis of Assisi, Mickey Rourke gives a solid performance as Francesco, the spoiled son of a medieval Italian merchant who receives a vision from Heaven and renounces his decadent ways, cutting himself off from his family and devoting his life to serving the poor. Helena Bonham Carter co-stars; directed by Lilianna Cavani. 115 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.

Based on Donald Spoto's autobiography of Saint Francis of Assisi, this inspirational docudrama presents a gripping look at the life of one of Christianity's most revered figures. Filmed entirely on location in Italy and featuring narration by Liev Schreiber and with Robert Sean Leonard providing the voice of St. Francis, the program examines how the erstwhile Giovanni di Bernardone inspired millions through his compassion and love for all of God's creatures. 60 min. Soundtrack: English; bonus footage; interview.

From the Old Testament comes the story of Joseph, beloved son of Jacob who is sold by his brothers into slavery in Egypt and later saves his family. Geoffrey Horne, Robert Morley, Belinda Lee, and Terence Hill star. 101 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English (dubbed) Dolby Digital mono; biographies.

A lavish Biblical drama in two parts, telling the stories of the sibling rivalry between Jacob and Esau, and the tale of Joseph's adventures when he was sold into slavery by his brothers. Keith Michell, Tony Lo Bianco, Colleen Dewhurst and Herschel Bernardi star; Alan Bates narrates. Michael Cacoyannis ("Zorba the Greek") directs. 96 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, Thai; theatrical trailer.

This moving film shows how Jacob schemed to win his father's blessing that was intended for his brother Esau, as well as his marriage to Rachel and climactic reconciliation with Esau. Fosco Giachetti, Luisa Della Noce star. 105 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English (dubbed) Dolby Digital mono; bonus short "Genesis"; biographies. Dubbed in English.

Unusual religious drama with comic moments starring Maximilian Schell as Giuseppe Desa, a simple 17th-century peasant boy who would grow up to become "the Flying Saint," St. Joseph of Cupertino. Sent by his mother to a Franciscan monastery after proving unable to hold a job, the young Giuseppe nearly bumbles his way out of the priesthood, until a miracle redeems him. Akim Tamiroff, Ricardo Montalban also star. 105 min. Soundtrack: English.