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The Fourth Wise Man

Name: The Fourth Wise Man
Director: Michael Ray Rhodes
Released: 1985
Duration: 72 min

Representation Score

2.5/10

Limited

1985

TV-PG

Director

Michael Ray Rhodes

Runtime

72 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film functions as a traditional period drama that prioritizes historical and religious accuracy. The narrative structure reinforces established social and religious hierarchies rather than challenging them. While the setting is naturally multicultural, the storytelling remains focused on a singular religious mission, resulting in a lack of diverse perspectives or underrepresented identities. Ultimately, the work upholds traditional institutional values and conventional formulas.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Fourth Wise Man have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film focuses on a religious quest that assumes everyone is straight and cisgender. There are no depictions of LGBTQ+ identities or same-sex relationships.

How does The Fourth Wise Man portray gender?

Fair

The story is driven by a male protagonist and his male servant. Women play minor roles, suggesting a traditional gender hierarchy centered on men’s actions.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Fourth Wise Man?

Fair

The Middle Eastern setting provides a naturally multicultural backdrop. However, the representation follows standard historical clichés rather than modern diversity.

How does The Fourth Wise Man represent religion and culture?

Minimal

The plot reinforces traditional Christian morality and religious devotion. It centers on the pursuit of a Messiah, upholding established religious ideals.

Does The Fourth Wise Man include disability representation?

Minimal

The narrative contains no mention of characters navigating physical, neurodivergent, or mental health conditions.

Present on Screen

The Middle Eastern setting provides a naturally multicultural historical backdrop.

Limited or Absent

The narrative lacks women's ability to drive the story and sidelines women from the central quest.
There is a notable absence of LGBTQ+ representation or non-cisgender identities.
The film reinforces singular religious ideals rather than exploring diverse cultural perspectives.

Official Synopsis

Artaban is a young Magus (Wise Man) who desires to follow the star to the birthplace of the coming King, against the counsel of his friends and family. Carrying three precious jewels to give to the baby Messiah, Artaban and his reluctant servant Orontes set off to join the caravan of the three other wise men. They miss the caravan, but Artaban continues the search for his King, always one step behind. Artaban spends much of his remaining wealth and all of his energy helping the poor and unfortunate people he meets, until at the end of his life he finally finds Jesus--at His trial! Has Artaban wasted his life in a foolish quest? Will he ever get the chance to present his gifts to the King?

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