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Jesus of Nazareth | Year: 1977 Directed: - Franco Zeffirelli Actors/Actresses: - Robert Powell as Jesus of Nazareth - James Mason - Laurence Olivier - Olivia Hussey as Virgin Mary - Anne Bancroft as Mary Magdelene - Anthony Quinn as High Priest Caiaphas - Peter Ustinov as King Herod - Christopher Plummer as Herod Antipas - Ernest Borgnine as The Centurion - Michael York as John the Baptist - James Farentino as Simon Peter - Rod Steiger as Pontius Pilate - Peter Ustinov The best Jesus movie ever made To date, "Jesus of Nazareth" is most certainly the best Jesus movie ever made. Director Franco Zeffirelli presents the story of Jesus Christ in a very authentic manner. This film sticks pretty much to the script, the Holy Bible. This historical account of Jesus starts before the birth of Christ and runs through His life, His substitutionary death for all our sins on the cross, and His reappearance afterward. Much time is spent on our Lord's three-year long mission preaching and performing miracles as an adult on earth, and many scenes are genuinely touching, leaving not a dry eye in the audience. We've first seen this movie when it was released back in the late 70s, and since then we've watched it a few dozen times. The nearly six and a half hours running time are not a bother for those interested in the life of Christ. This picture comes across as a very well funded production and much care has been given to detail. We're certain that most viewers will be touched, aided by Robert Powell's realistic performance and portrayal of our Savior Jesus Christ. This movie will make you think about your personal relationship with God, while you'll enjoy an exceptionally well-made motion picture. The Story of the Life of Jesus Jesus of Nazareth, although made for television, is the pinnacle of Franco Zeffirelli's illustrious directing career, which includes such masterpieces as Romeo and Juliet and Brother Sun Sister Moon, and the definitive film about the story of the life of Jesus Christ. Beginning with the lives of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph before the Infancy Narrative, Zeffirelli does a wonderful job of blending the four Gospels together, recounting the life of Jesus from the Nativity through His Ministry as he proclaims the Kingdom of God and gathers the Apostles about him to His Passion and glorious Resurrection. There are a very few events from Jesus' life which have been omitted, for example the Wedding at Cana, but on the whole Jesus of Nazareth is remarkable for it's thoroughness. Zeffirelli's choice of locations and use of scenery recreate biblical Palestine, and the actors portray the socio-political climate of the area, providing the backdrop of political and religious unrest against which Jesus would begin His ministry. The cinematogrophy is stunning, as is usual for a Zeffirelli film. The cast is splendid, with Robert Powell giving a breath takingly powerful performance as Jesus of Nazareth, Olivia Hussey as the Blessed Virgin Mary, Anne Bancroft as Mary Magdelene, Anthony Quinn as the High Priest Caiaphas, Peter Ustinov as King Herod, Christopher Plummer as Herod Antipas, Ernest Borgnine as the Centurion, Michael York as John the Baptist, James Farentino as Simon Peter, and Rod Steiger as Pontius Pilate. Jesus of Nazareth is a wonderful telling of the story of Jesus, full of hope and emotion. Whether your interest in the life of Jesus is from the perspective of faith or of history, you must see this film. I Will Be With You Always..Even Until The End of Time What a splendid ending to the greatest dramatization of the life and death and resurrection of Jesus Christ ever made for television. I was thoroughly moved to tears and a great sense of hope. This film is superior because of its tremendous scope. It allows viewers to experience a great deal of the scriptures and, indeed, the life and times of Jesus Christ. The cast is marvellous especially Robert Powell who is the definitive "Jesus." What a wonderful display of acting. His expressions, his glances, his pauses, every little nuance he uses to portray the savior is superb. He transcended the role and became the character he was playing which is the mark of true acting. The actress who played Mary Magdalene was also quite good. This is, perhaps, the best acting I have ever seen in any film - ANY! It is hard to imagine a movie with at least one poor scene. This movie, the exception, was flawless. Scripture is quoted word for word often and Franco Zefirelli created an atmosphere one imagine existed during the life of Christ. The musical score is haunting! I applaud Franco Zefirelli for creating this 4 day/8 hour epic for television as film could never tell this story in such great scope and detail. It will be the standard by which all films about Jesus are judged. This is very powerful film-making and film-making at its absolute best. Truly THIS is the greatest story ever told. My LORD and my God! My Strength, my Rock and my Salvation! What an accurate and insightful film. The Actors bring these characters to life so wonderfully and you get such a great feel for how they all related to eachother personally. Particularly the Apostles! It really helps to humanize these saints we hear and read about in the Bible. What a beautiful portrayal of the relationship between Matthew and Simon Peter! Read the Gospels and then watch this movie! Powell's portrayal of My LORD is so moving, I think this is how Jesus would have really acted if I met him while he was on earth. I particularly like the way you can get a real sense of the social-political scene: the Zealots and the Jewish leaders struggling under Roman rule. And Judas' betrayal is portrayed so carefully in the context of his association with the Zealots that you gain a new insight as to how he really could have had benevolent intentions. My complaints: (although not outweighing the praises by any means!) -With as much time as was spent setting the scene for the birth, I think the whole Passion was kind of rushed(The agony in the garden, the carrying of the cross), the end of this movie leaves the whole thing a little flat.[at least for me] I would have loved to have seen the rocks split and the sky becoming dark and the veil of the tabernacle being torn and the guards and Sanhedrin saying "Truly this was the SON of GOD!" (YOu know, the whole production) OK so it starts raining but you really don't get the full effect as you do in the actual Gospel. And I Would have liked to have seen all the Apostles on the Mount of Olives with Jesus for an ascension scene! Instead You just see him sitting there in the room(with no crucifixion marks) wearing the same old clothes. At least put him in a WHITE ROBE? And give me some Tongues of Fire! oh well enough of my complaining. The whole trial before Pilate was done really well(you actually like Pilate until he realeases Barabbas- what a punk). This film was overall a great achievement and definately a faith builder! Praise to you LORD Jesus Christ! Buy Jesus Of Nazareth at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on Jesus Of Nazareth Search with the Priority Search Engine on Jesus Of Nazareth This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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