Jesus of Nazareth
|
List Price: Our Price: $8.00 You Save: $11.98 (60%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $7.87 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Canada
Movie Reviews of Jesus of Nazareth
Movie Review: Best, most powerful depiction of Jesus the Christ
Summary: 5 Stars
Franco Zeffirelli's masterpiece still evokes devotion, inspiration, and timeless beauty of one of the most impactful men to ever walk this Earth.
I've watched the "Passion of the Christ" by Mel Gibson. It was powerful. But, I found quickly that I'm much more interested in how Jesus lived rather than how he died. While not taking anything away from the power of his death and resurrection, I find that I'm more moved by his teachings and his life.
For me, Jesus of Nazareth still does the best job of depicting the life of Jesus. At the time of its release in 1977, this film received much criticism for depicting a more "human" side of Jesus. In many ways, this is the side that appeals to me and draws me to the film.
Much credit must go to Zeffirelli, but to me, the person who makes this film is Robert Powell. He acts and portrays Jesus not only with his words, but with his eyes, his hands, slight body movements. One can feel the love and forgiveness of Jesus as you watch this film.
One of the most powerful scenes in the film to me was Jesus telling the parable of the Prodigal Son and how he uses this parable to heal the rift between Matthew and Peter. Everyone has an idea or perception about how Jesus was. For me, this performance most closely arrives at my own perception of the Christ.
The supporting roles were just as effective. James Farantino gives a credible performance as Peter. My favorite though, goes to Ian McShane's performance as Judas. Here Zeffirelli paints Judas as Jesus' misunderstood disciple; one who felt he was doing the right thing for the country. "Open your heart, Judas. Not your mind," Jesus tells him. When Judas realizes what he's done, he's overwhelmed with grief. I've never felt that Judas was a "bad" man or an "evil" disciple. I feel that Zeffirelli's depiction is more accurate.
If there is any "weak" link in this film, for me it would be Anne Bancroft. She seems to only know how to play the tempermental, indifferent characters in her film roles. She seems to shout or snap at everyone more than the kind of "Mary Magdalene" that I envisioned, rather than someone soft, feminine, and deeply spiritual. And no, I do not subscribe to the fact that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute, nor is this ever mentioned once in the Bible. But, I know that Zeffirelli probably didn't have this information when he made this version. I still had hoped that a better actress would have played the role.
Great scenery, an all-star cast, a magnificent performance by Robert Powell, and the magician himself, Franco Zeffirelli all contribute to the most beautiful and spiritually touching of all the films that depict the life of Jesus.
I find myself moved every time I watch this film.
Movie Review: The greatest version of the greatest story ever told
Summary: 5 Stars
Prior to its debut on NBC in April 1977, "Jesus of Nazareth" was the subject of considerable controversy after director Franco Zeffirelli suggested his interpretation of Jesus would veer wildly from previous screen versions of the Gospels. Suspecting Zeffirelli, to say nothing of co-screenwriter Anthony Burgess of "Clockwork Orange" fame, had downplayed or even denied Jesus' divinity, some prominent religious leaders condemned the film, sight unseen, for its alleged blasphemy. One sponsor (General Motors) bowed out, and another stepped in (Proctor and Gamble, years before the company fought off unsubstantiated charges that its logo was Satanic). "Jesus of Nazareth" aired as scheduled, in two parts on two successive Sunday evenings, earning high ratings and praise from critics of all faiths."Jesus of Nazareth" is, hands down, the finest dramatic retelling of the life of Jesus to date. As George Stevens did with his 1965 fiasco, "The Greatest Story Ever Told," Zeffirelli recruited an all-star cast, but whereas Stevens could only have hired John Wayne to play a Roman Centurion because the Duke's name would look nice on the posters, Zeffirelli chose his stars because they were gifted actors perfect for their roles.
One doesn't ooh and aah at the sight of Rod Steiger, Anthony Quinn, or Laurence Olivier, but rather marvel at how well they believably bring Pontius Pilate, Caiaphas, and Nicodemus to respective life. As good as they are, the most impressive performance may come from a less illustrious "name," James Farentino, who makes for a very commanding Peter.
It could be argued that the film is too pretty at times (this is, after all, the work of the man who made 1968's lushly romantic "Romeo and Juliet"), bringing to mind the kind of postcard depiction that Mel Gibson's "Passion of the Christ" attempts to counter, but the script and performances thankfully lack the dry solemnity that often drains any semblance of life from most dramatic interpretations of the Bible. Robert Powell's Jesus doesn't merely "quote" passages from the New Testament but speaks the words of Jesus as those words might have been spoken for the first time.
The crucifixion, though not as brutal and bloody as it probably was, also seems to be portrayed more realistically than usual, with Jesus carrying only the beam of his cross to Calvary which history seems to suggest was more likely the case.
Maurice Jarre's score is sometimes moody and always reverent without being pompous, and despite its length, the story never drags. "Jesus of Nazareth" is an outstanding achievement, all the more impressive when one considers it was produced for television.
Movie Review: The 10 Commandments is the Best Moses Movie; So is J.O.N.
Summary: 5 Stars
The Best, The Best, and The Best at present, is this Masterpiece.There is not in this planet earth, one other movie about My Lord and Savior that expresses exactly how I believe him to have been, when he was walking on the face of this earth.
Captivating, Super emotional movie. You will cry and cry, and will love Jesus after watching this movie. If I was a billionaire when this movie was in the making, I'd pay every one in this movie hugely well, so that even more details could be put in the movie, specially scenes of superb visual effects which were not made, like: The Transfiguration of Jesus on the mount when his body and face shone whiter than snow and many other things happened up there and even God himself speaks up there.
Like, when Jesus walks on top of the sea of Galilee on a stormy night, and agrees to Peter to come walk up to him, to meet him over the waters.
Like, his lighning ressurection at the right time, giving off light so supernatural, That today we have his Shroud in Turim, Italy.
I bought the 3 vhs version from amazon. I lost it, now I'll buy this DVD as soon as I have a chance. I can't live without the Best movie of Jesus ever made til present. The Music in this movie, Oh my God!!! it's the best ever made as well. The instruments, the superb sacred inspirational melodies; "it's tripping" the movie soundtrack is available here at amazon. I bought it and listen to it when I go to sleep, in , my car, believe me, I am still looking for orchestrated music like this one around and could not yet find.
Jesus mom, Mary, has one of the few most beautiful holy faces on a woman being conceived in this world. No wonder she played Juliet in the movie from the same director "Zefirelli" in Romeo and Juliet. Who comes close? brooke shields in Blue Lagoon only?
Peter the disciple of Jesus in this movie is Peter like no other could have been in any other movie. You know something? I would say almost every actor in this movie if not all actors make you think they are really the real thing. Of course, John the Baptist is so convinving. Boy, close to this movie is the movie "Ben Hur". Love it, love it, Love it. If only Robert Powell played Jesus in "Ben Hur", the Director would surely make his Face visible and it would probably win the 10th oscar just for that. Because "Robert Powell, plays Jesus like I dream Jesus would have been, and Looks like I dream Jesus would have looked.
Go ahead, buy it. I am sure will love and own this movie for ever till you are alive. Let's pray this movie never runs out of reproduction like Jesus life is never ending, and pray that Amazon supports this world wonder movie that tells "like no other" the story of our Lord and Savior: Jesus Christ.<P...
Movie Review: I will be with you until the end of time
Summary: 5 Stars
Zefferelli's film, "Jesus of Nazareth" was originally a 6 hour TV miniseries in 1977. When the director announced the film would depict Jesus as human instead of as a religious icon there was massive protest and pullers of advertising, the controversy having the effect of making this one of the most watched TV shows in history. Packed full of some of the world's great actors such as:
Robert Powell as Jesus Christ, Anne Bancroft as Mary Magdalene,
Ernest Borgnine as The Centurion, Claudia Cardinale as The Adulteress, James Earl Jones as Balthazar, Stacy Keach as Barabbas, James Mason as Joseph of Arimathea, Laurence Olivier as Nicodemus, Donald Pleasence as Melchior, Christopher Plummer as Herod Antipas, Anthony Quinn as Caiaphas, Ralph Richardson as Simeon, Rod Steiger as Pontius Pilate, Peter Ustinov as Herod the Great, Michael York as John the Baptist, and Olivia Hussey as Virgin Mary it's hard to go wrong.
Robert Powell makes a great believable Christ, and of course Zefferelli's extravagance pervades the whole film. Hussey and York, who appear in his excellent version of "Romeo and Juliet" grace this one as well, though Powell, the son, looks much older than Hussey, the mother (Bancroft should have been the older Mary).
The film's style and substance is both emotion and thought provoking, a synthesis of humanism and spirituality. The story of mythic proportion unfolds from birth to death in a way that lets non-Christians as well as Christians understand and appreciate the historical impact and spiritual importance of the legend. For what matters in the end isn't the historical correctness of the mythology, but how it can be used as metaphor for spiritual enlightenment, as the myths of other religions can. Joseph Campbell sums this perspective up well.
In the third millenium, it's extremely important to realize the legitimacy of science in understanding the "how" as much as religion and philosophy in at least beginning to contemplate the "why". I also recommend one of Zefferelli's other great films based on another great legend, "Romeo and Juliet" (1968). And for the philosophy behind the mythology of Christianity and other religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism, I recommend both Joseph Campbell's and Alan Watt's books, audio, and video lectures. Speaking as someone who leans toward Eastern Philosophy and Western science this film has the potential to spark an interest in Western religion. And the legitimate aspects of all are reconcilable. For as humans we are born explorers, whether of inner or outer space, whether of immediate meanings or Ultimate meaning.
Movie Review: A Film For the Ages
Summary: 5 Stars
With the recent rise in interest surrounding the Mel Gibson film "The Passion of the Christ", many moviegoers may be left clammoring for more on the life of Jesus. This film is the ultimate counterpart to the forementioned film.Jesus of Nazareth, originally filmed and released in 1977, is considered to be one of, if not the most, faithful depiciton of Christ's life. The script, which was lifted almost directly from the bible, manages to capture the essence of this famous bible story of the New Testament, without the Hollywood "cheese" that so many other film adaptations of this story seem to possess.
What makes this a great film is the seriousness by which the story is approached, the talent that is cast in each of the principal and supporting roles, and the genuineness of the locations where the film was shot. The movie is timeless, and masterfully delivered by director Franco Zeffirelli, whose cinematic style is not notably dated. Aside from the limitations of pre-digital mastering that was available at the time the film was produced, the quality of picture, sound and actor performance is first rate, and will capture the audience for the entire film.
Of course, the story is the life of Christ, beginning with the engagement of Mary and Joseph, the birth of Jesus, and then the culmination of his life as he is sacrificed by the Romans on the Cross before rising three days later. The film features many of the stories from the gospel, including many of the sermons Christ delivered, many of the miracles He performed, and the immense controversy he caused as a result of his teachings.
Although the film was originally created for the television, it does not lessen the brutality of Christ's suffering by the hands of the Romans, nor does it lessen the impact of Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross. In some ways, it is a superior film to "The Passion of the Christ" in that it balances the elements of Christ's crucifixition with the events that led up to it. (NOTE: I am a huge fan and avid supporter of Gibson's film, and this is not intended to detract at all from his film-The Passion is a profoundly powerful piece (please see my review for details)).
This is a film that is age appropriate for all audiences and is a worthwhile investment for any video collection. Moreover, for anyone who is looking for greater understanding of who Christ was in his life and works here on Earth, this film is a great source for many of those answers. It is truly an epic piece of cinematic excellence, and a wonderful introduction into the teachings of Christ, and the life he lived as he walked the Earth.
-Scott Kolecki