Jesus of Nazareth
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Movie Reviews of Jesus of Nazareth
Movie Review: The quintessential dramatization of the life of Jesus
Summary: 5 Stars
Franco Zeffirelli's miniseries "Jesus of Nazareth" is based upon Anthony Burgess's novel "Man of Nazareth." In advertisements taken out before the miniseries was aired, Zeffirelli promised his work would present the "human" face of Jesus. Religious groups protested, as they seem to always do, but Zeffirelli's miniseries is not only accurate (for the most part) but deeply reverent and emotional.
The performances are first-rate. Robert Powell played Jesus with a sensitivity and strength former actors failed to bring, making his Son of Man seem loving, accessible, and yet full of the sense of social justice that permeates the Gospel accounts of Christ. Olivia Hussey, fresh from "Romeo and Juliet," is a heartbreaking Mary, so young she appears more like Jesus's sister than his mother. So many great actors appear and give stellar performances that it's like a "Who's Who" of 1970s stars--James Earl Jones, Anthony Quinn, Anne Bancroft (who is glorious as Mary Magdalene!), Laurence Olivier (whose Nicodemus is like a lamb, so earnest and gentle), Ernest Borgnine and Stacy Keach (who plays his role without too much scenery-chewing). There are actors I've never seen since whose performances I've never forgotten. And there are scenes of white-hot intensity that grab hold and sink in.
There are a few quibbles. One is that the children picked to play Jesus at 3 and 13 are blond, while Powell has dark hair. Another is that Nicodemus comes to visit Jesus in late afternoon, not at night. A final one is that Jesus is nailed to the cross by his hands, when such a move would have resulted in the nails ripping through his palms and sending him flopping face-forward. But when the rest of the film is incredibly detailed and accurate, with nary an anachronism in speech or dress, what are a few missed details?
I urge people to buy this on DVD. The quality is pristine, without any skips or pixilation, and if any movie deserves to be seen at its very best, this one does. But whether you buy it on VHS or DVD, this is the best version of the story of Jesus that exists. Nothing has surpassed it, and I doubt anything will in future.
Movie Review: The True Vine.
Summary: 5 Stars
One of the great works of the cinema - by far my favorite rendering of The Life on film - what I like most is the script's fidelity to Scripture and the magnificent and inspiring exposition of the Parables. This part of the film - the comprehensive depiction of Christ's Mission in spirit and meaning - through the context of the text of the Gospels - is to be found nowhere else in the genre - and assuages reception of the inevitably more interpretative scenes. Undoubtedly, in comparison with the recent effort of Mel Gibson, et al., the representation of the Passion looks somewhat tame. However, the comprehensive quality of the narrative here provides more than enough ballast to keep the viewer rapt. Continuing the comparison, it does take some time in the early frames get over the British accents. After all, the film was made in English for English speaking audiences. However, inspired acting up and down the line puts that one to bed fast. After few minutes of the genius of Peter Ustinov (in one of his finest moments) as Herod, stomping, ranting, raving mad in his political calculations - you forget the petty flaws. Needless to say, Robert Powell's career/performance as Jesus is vastly superior to any other on celluloid, and one of the supreme gestures in the history of media. Awesome. And Olivia Hussey's brilliant rendering of the Virgin Mary is, in my opinion, distinctly more affecting and profound than her celebrated rendering of Juliet, which, for whatever reasons, has played continuously to Amercan high school audiences for the past thirty years. In retrospect, and mostly due to what we see here, the modest and retiring Ms Hussey must be regarded as one of the greatest actresses of her era. This masterpiece, seen again and again, only gets more powerful, imparts more insight with each viewing. Having first viewed "Jesus of Nazareth" in it's premiere as one of the earliest T.V. mini-series back in the 1970's, I bear witness to the truth of the assertion that this film is one of the few that loses nothing to time and, characteristic of true classics, seems rather to gain.
Movie Review: As Much the Discople's Story as Jesus' Story
Summary: 5 Stars
Franco Zeffirelli's "Jesus of Nazareth" is a pleasant surprise every time I see it. I've been watching it yearly for the past 5 years or so, and with each viewing I find new details which keep me coming back for more. While the film could have spent less time on King Herod's exotic lifestyle and more time on Jesus' teachings and miracles, it nonetheless stands as the best depiction of Christ's life ever commited to film. And it also contains some wonderful, stunningly visual cinematic moments, such as the scene when Mary visits Elizabeth to tell her the good news. The real strength of this film, however, comes from the handful of disciples it chooses to focus on. Peter, in particular, keeps the film incredibly human, and therefore believable. To me, his spiritual journey is every bit as compelling as Jesus'. You will get caught up in Jesus' actions and words, but you will also notice the care Zeffirelli places on the Disciples and their subsequent reactions to Jesus' teachings and miracles. The interaction between Jesus and his Disciples is also well managed, but the interaction amongst the Disciples themselves is even more compelling. Zeffirelli's Jesus is deliberate in every word, action and reaction...exactly as I would imagine the real Jesus to have been. In the film, Jesus purposely lets his Disciples figure things out for themselves, which makes their story just as powerful. Even the portrayal of Judas and his betrayal is handled with great care.While Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" has rendered all other crucifixion depictions as obsolete and cartoonish, the crucifixion scene in "Jesus of Nazareth" still packs a punch for its cold, brutal efficiency. And because Zeffirelli has intertwined the Disciple's stories into the film, the Resurrection scenes, though scant, have more potency. In the end, the film's focus on the assorted characters who came in contact with Jesus is the real strength of the movie and will leave the longest lasting impact.
Movie Review: The Present Standard For Biblical Films
Summary: 5 Stars
When this masterpiece first aired in 1977 on NBC, the Christian world was shocked by its realism. Many churches initially protested the broadcast. The clergy urged their members to "spread the word" that the film "degrades the Son of God'. How times have changed. Even the Pope recognizes the tremendous value of this miniseries. And the film became a blockbuster hit when it was first aired, pushing NBC to run it again in 1981.True, many Anglo actors make up the cast, including British actors Robert Powell (clearly the best portrayal of Jesus in all cinema) and Olivia Hussey (a most beautiful and talented Mary). If this film were made today, the cast would include far more actors from the Middle East, I would guess. But in 1977, political correctness was less of an issue.
Director Franco Zeffirelli originally wanted to portray Jesus as scholars of the time felt Jesus looked, but in the end he went with the popular, more accepted look found in Christian art - perhaps in an effort to appease the critics.
To me, what is remarkable about this production is the constant reminder that Jesus was a Jew, with numerous scenes of Jewish ritual. This had never been done before in film.
Originally, the final scene in the film was to be the empty tomb, allowing the viewer to decide whether Jesus was resurrected or His body had been stolen. It was later decided to end the film by adding the scene where Jesus meets with his apostles (a tender, most moving moment) and looks into the camera and says "I will be with you always, even to the end of time".
At six and a half hours, some may feel this film is too long, but I can't imagine how this great work could be shortened. But I have only one minor criticism - as good as the print on these discs is, it would be even better to have this film remastered and letterboxed, if possible. But this is a very small observation, and should not keep anyone from purchasing such a milestone in television history.
Movie Review: In a class of its own
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been showing this video to 4 different religion classes and have been seeing it over and over again. The more I watch, the more subtle things I notice. It is truly an amazing movie. Zefferelli/Robert Powell captures Jesus as both God and human. It is truly an inspired effort. I believe that Gibson does a good job with his movie, but has been around Hollywood too much (along with all the special effects). I also do not like what Gibson does with the Jewish children and Judas and found the devil, while interesting, a little over the top.
Yes, Jesus of Nazareth is in a class all its own. I wonder if it will ever be matched in terms of the breadth of the story.
The only weakness I can see in the movie is the ending and the story of Peter. Peter is obviously focused upon in the movie and I think that he slightly dropped the ball in terms of closing the loop on this end of the story. I guess after 6 and 1/2 hours he maybe ran out of steam.
I love his balanced portrayal of the Sanhedrin/Jewish leaders in particular as well.
Pilate is amazing as well.
His use of lighting is spectacular as well -- the Parable of the Prodigal son, the teaching in the Temple with the light coming through the windows, the Last Supper, the agony in the Garden. It's all so perfect.
For those of you using this movie for teaching, I discovered something amazing a few years ago. Start the song 'No Greater Love' by Steven Curtis Chapman right as Jesus is beginning to carry his cross (out of the prison). Turn the sound off of the video and then watch till the end of the song. It's pretty amazing. "There is no greater love than this; there is no greater gift than can ever be given. To be willing to die, so another might live, there is no greater love than this. This is the love that God showed the world; when he gave us his Son..."