- Political intrigue is the cornerstone of the story of Daniel. Held captive for many years under the Babylonian kings, but still much-loved and respected by their King Darius, Daniel was appointed governor, provoking great jealousy among the court advisers. Divine love and human resolve enter the lion's den with Daniel, and he emerges victorious.
- Two refugees, a mother and a son, have been forced to settle in a strange land. The son is frustrated, so the mother decides to tell him the story of Daniel.
The Babylonians sacked the city of Jerusalem, murdering many of its citizens and making slaves out of the remainder. Daniel (Philip Franks) and the other Israelite princes are taken to King Nebuchadnezzar (Steve Hodson), who has them trained as his Magi. Daniel objects, particularly when they are offered meat from the altar of the Babylonian God, Marduk. The Crown Prince, Belshazzar (Bill Nighy), is disgusted by this refusal, while the Chief eunuch, Ashpenaz (Sion Probert), does his best to keep this behaviour hidden from the King. Soon afterwards, Nebuchadnezzar demands to see progress, and is impressed by the Israelites work, appointing them all full magi, much to the irritation of his Chief Magus.(Roger Allam).
One night, Nebuchadnezzar has a dream, and to test the skills of his advisors, asks that before they interpret it, they first tell him what he dreamt. The Babylonian advisors cannot perform this task and are to be put to death, but are saved when Daniel correctly guesses the King's dream- he is a large tree that nourishes all that nest in his branches, before being struck down by lightning. Nebuchadnezzar is sceptical that this prophesises his downfall, until one day, while walking in the gardens, he is transformed into a great beast, and Belshazzar becomes King.
Daniel is kept on as Magus due to his former friendship with Belshazzar, but is held with disdain by most of the court. Belshazzar holds a great feast using the cups his father sacked from Jerusalem, and is about to drink to his empire, when mysterious writing appears on the wall, which Daniel translates as announcing Belshazzar's impending death. The Captain of the Guard announces that Medes have gotten into the city, and Belshazzar grimly goes out to face them.
The morning after, Babylon has been captured by the Medes, Belshazzar and his captains are dead, and Darius (Clive Merrison) is the new King. His nemesis remains Chief Magus, and he continues to plot against Daniel, who swiftly becomes Darius' new favourite. Noticing how Daniel always prays to Jerusalem at a certain time of day, The Chief Magus encourages the King to pass a new law decreeing that no man is allowed to pray to any God but the King himself, the penalty for breaking this law being death by lions. Daniel breaks the law, and Darius is forced to arrest him.
Daniel is thrown into the lion's pit, where he prays for God's intervention, while Darius fasts all night for his friend's survival. Seeing how he was tricked, Darius has the Chief Magus and his treacherous advisors thrown into the pit instead, despite Daniel's protests.
The mother concludes the story by saying that eventually, the Israelites were freed and if, like Daniel, her son has faith, then God will lead them home.
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