Rating: 
Summary: The best Jesus movie ever made
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: The greatest version of the greatest story ever told
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: classic portrayal of the wonderful truth
Review: I love this 7 hour epic mini-series. It was one of the first dvd's I ever bought. Great treatment of the Gospels, very impressed with the actors and the realism portrayed. As a note to a previous reviewer, check out Charlton Heston in "the greatest story ever told", he did a great John the Baptist as well. God bless.
Rating: 
Summary: first class, but a few minor grumblings...
Review: A big deal when it came out in 1977 for TV audiences (I was only about 9, but I remember it clearly), this "mini-series" has stood the test of time and still remains the clearest vision of the Jesus story. The film is very cinematic looking, which you might not expect for a "made for TV" production, and the actors are mostly superb in their roles. Powell may not be the most historically "correct" Jesus (visually, that is), but his Jesus is still the most compelling and emotionally moving of any Jesus in any movie, period. Some people (like me) might find the pre-birth sections (focusing on Mary and Joseph) a bit tedious and drawn out, especially on the DVD version, which is extended in these parts. I kept on thinking: Yes yes...get to Jesus, already! But regardless, if you have the patience, these early sections in the film evoke immense atmosphere and a realistic sense of that period of time. So by the time you DO get to Jesus, you feel you have really been immersed in Biblical-era times. I must give a big thumbs down to Rod Steiger, who portrays Pontius Pilate in a goofy over-acting way. The worst portrayal of a Pilate in any movie I've seen (even worse that David Bowie's Pilate in "The Last Temptation of Christ"). Any reader of the New Testament knows Pilate's words to Christ: "What is truth?" Steiger clearly realizes how famous these words are and thinks it deserves a strenuous prominence in the way he talks. His eyes get all bulgy, waves his fingers in the air for silly effect, and stresses out each word like an amateur actor: "What..isss...tr-uuu-th?" Um, oookay... Another thing: There's a big downplay in many of the Jesus miracles in this movie. You won't see Jesus walking on water or calming storms, but I imagine this is a matter of keeping productions costs down. The miracles you DO see are easier to show, like Jesus helping Peter catch all those fish. Net in the water, Jesus staring into the water, dramatic music, and the net comes up with tons of fish. Stuff like that. Anyway, first class production all the way (except for Rod Steiger's Pilate), and intellectually and emotionally stimulating, regardless of religious affiliation.
Rating:
Summary: The greatest version of the greatest story ever told
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: The best Jesus movie ever made
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: first class, but a few minor grumblings...
Review: A big deal when it came out in 1977 for TV audiences (I was only about 9, but I remember it clearly), this "mini-series" has stood the test of time and still remains the clearest vision of the Jesus story. The film is very cinematic looking, which you might not expect for a "made for TV" production, and the actors are mostly superb in their roles. Powell may not be the most historically "correct" Jesus (visually, that is), but his Jesus is still the most compelling and emotionally moving of any Jesus in any movie, period. Some people (like me) might find the pre-birth sections (focusing on Mary and Joseph) a bit tedious and drawn out, especially on the DVD version, which is extended in these parts. I kept on thinking: Yes yes...get to Jesus, already! But regardless, if you have the patience, these early sections in the film evoke immense atmosphere and a realistic sense of that period of time. So by the time you DO get to Jesus, you feel you have really been immersed in Biblical-era times. I must give a big thumbs down to Rod Steiger, who portrays Pontius Pilate in a goofy over-acting way. The worst portrayal of a Pilate in any movie I've seen (even worse that David Bowie's Pilate in "The Last Temptation of Christ"). Any reader of the New Testament knows Pilate's words to Christ: "What is truth?" Steiger clearly realizes how famous these words are and thinks it deserves a strenuous prominence in the way he talks. His eyes get all bulgy, waves his fingers in the air for silly effect, and stresses out each word like an amateur actor: "What..isss...tr-uuu-th?" Um, oookay... Another thing: There's a big downplay in many of the Jesus miracles in this movie. You won't see Jesus walking on water or calming storms, but I imagine this is a matter of keeping productions costs down. The miracles you DO see are easier to show, like Jesus helping Peter catch all those fish. Net in the water, Jesus staring into the water, dramatic music, and the net comes up with tons of fish. Stuff like that. Anyway, first class production all the way (except for Rod Steiger's Pilate), and intellectually and emotionally stimulating, regardless of religious affiliation.
Rating:
Summary: Well-done, some cinematic liberties taken
Review: Especially when considering that it was made in the 1970s, this film is exceptionally well-done.
I believe that it holds at least minimal value for everyone, whether it be historical or religious; even those who are not Christians can learn from its message and from its historical portrayal of Jesus Christ.
That said, there are a few minor discrepancies between historical fact, the Bible, and this film, but they are minute enough as not to affect the impact of the film as a whole.
One thing that I did notice and that somewhat irked me was the portrait of young Jesus as blond-haired and blue eyed, the eye color which he retained throughout the movie. I find this not highly probable, considering Jesus's supposed origins. The blue eyes, I believe, though, were probably just used as a symbol of Jesus's clairvoyance and deeply spiritual personality, traits often (for some reason unbeknownst to me) associated with deep, resilient blue eyes. Again, this point was minor enough as to not affect the movie as a whole much.
I would recommend this film especially for Christians, but also for anyone interested in learning more about the Christian religion(s) and its/their origin(s).
Rating:
Summary: One of the best stories of Jesus
Review: Anybody who ever saw this movie and liked it will not forget it. It is very powerful and moving. Yet, its message is so simple. This is very sincere movie making.
Rating:
Summary: The Most Convincing Portrayal of Jesus, etc.
Review: It isn't just that Robert Powell looks like the Jesus portrayed in so many Renaissance paintings, it's that he seems to immerse himself in his role to the point that you believe that this was Jesus in all his compassion and missionary resolve. Not only Jesus, but the Disciples as well are given life in this miniseries. Peter is presented initially as skeptical, pessimistic, and hard-hearted, slow to accept Jesus' welcoming of the tax collector, Matthew. Judas, too, is made to seem like a real person, concerned about revealing Jesus' true nature to the religious leaders rather than being soley motivated by self-interest or money--he believes he is doing something ultimately good and not anticipating how his well-meant actions will result in Jesus' trial and crucifixion. We also see something of the political goings-on, the motiviations behind why the Jewish religious leaders acted the way they did--from the initial hope for the Messiah, to the disillusionment of certain of Jesus' followers (Judas, for example, after learning of Jesus' true mission) and the plot by the religious leaders to put him to death and spare Israel from the violence of the Romans. Its the acting, the characterization, and political details that make this film/miniseries perhaps the best film/miniseries on Jesus life ever made.
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