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Rating: 
Summary: I expected at least subtitles. Nothing. Just a silent film.
Review: I can't believe anyone compared this film to Mel Gibsons film.
This is an old film without words. My opinion. The 5 star
ratings must not have bought this film.
Rating: 
Summary: The Passion Of Christ - Two Silent Versions.
Review: It is interesting to note with all the attention being paid to Mel Gibson's PASSION OF THE CHRIST, that this film version was made around 100 years ago (started in 1902 and finished in 1905). THE LIFE AND PASSION OF JESUS CHRIST was produced in France as a series of 31 tableaux and utilizes the famous Pathe hand stenciled color process. Anyone familiar with the story of Jesus will easily follow it while those who aren't won't have any real difficulty. There are no gospel quotations here only title cards which preface each segment and some of the most remarkable sketched and painted scenery ever seen which are based on the drawings of Gustave Dore. The sets and costumes are equally impressive. The performances are not performances but actors striking a series of poses (especially Jesus) which is fitting for a series of tableaux. The condition of the film is truly remarkable. I have never seen a film of this vintage look this good. A remakable find and a welcome addition to the ever growing list of silent films available on home video. The second title on this disc, FROM THE MANGER TO THE CROSS, has already been out on VHS as part of Kino's FIRST AMERICAN FILM series. It's main asset is that it was filmed on location in the Middle East. Originally made by the Kalem company in 1912 it was reissued and retitled with an overabundance of Biblical quotes by Vitagraph in the late teens. A sincere and fairly restrained look at the life of Christ (although the Crucifiction scene is quite realistic), it tells its story simply with an animated segment at the very end. While it didn't leave me with a sense of wonder like the first film did, it is likely to have more appeal to those who are just starting out with silent film. It is also of historical significance as one of the earliest surviving American features. Both titles have excellent organ scores by Timothy Howard and are ideal for anyone interested in silent cinema or the life of Jesus. Experience a PASSION that's almost a century old and still going strong.
Rating: 
Summary: Two fine early Biblical films
Review: The Life and Passion of Jesus Christ is a stunning film. It was begun in 1902 and completed in 1905. It equals or surpasses any other film I have seen from this period. It depicts various scenes in the life of Christ, from the Annunciation to the Ascension. Each scene starts with a title card briefly describing the following action. There are no dialogue titles, which means the film assumes a fairly good knowledge of the Bible. Anyone coming to the film with no prior knowledge of the story of Christ would find the film in places quite hard to follow. For example, when the Marriage of Cana is depicted and Christ turns the water into wine, it would be hard to judge that he was doing this unless one knew in advance. There are 31 scenes or tableaux in the film which runs around 44 minutes and many of them resemble the paintings of Renaissance art. The scene of the last supper is reminiscent of Leonardo Da Vinci's famous fresco. But the film is far from static, including lively crowd scenes and quite violent action, as in the scene of the slaughter of the innocents. It has a good deal of spectacle, and for its time, fine special effects showing Christ walking on water or angels appearing as if from nowhere. Best of all this film showcases an early example of Pathé's stencil colour process, whereby various colours were applied to the individual frames of film. The result is quite beautiful to look at. The print of Life and Passion of Jesus Christ is excellent. For such an early film, it is marvellous that such a clear and detailed print has survived. The second film on this DVD, From the Manger to the Cross (1912), shows how quickly filmmaking had progressed during the few years since the making of the Pathé film. It is more sophisticated, with a more naturalistic style of acting. It was filmed on actual locations, rather than on stage sets, and provides some fascinating glimpses of Bethlehem, Jerusalem, the Pyramids and the Sphinx. It runs around 70 minutes and is one of the earliest American feature films. It is thus of considerable historical importance. The main fault with From the Manger to the Cross is that it has far too many titles. Each scene uses Biblical quotations to describe the action and to provide dialogue. This sometimes works well, but is overdone, so that the viewer must spend too much time reading rather than watching. I enjoyed this film less than the earlier one, but it is still a fine film setting the standard for the many Biblical epics which would follow. The tinted print of From the Manger to the Cross is good, but not as pristine as the Pathé film. It shows some wear and tear and is somewhat soft lacking some detail and clarity of image. Both of the films on this DVD have fine organ scores. The music follows the action and the mood of the films and is well played on a church organ. This DVD is excellent value, including two of the most important early films about Jesus Christ. It should be of interest to both silent film fans and more generally those who enjoy Biblical films.
Rating:
Summary: Two fine early Biblical films
Review: The Life and Passion of Jesus Christ is a stunning film. It was begun in 1902 and completed in 1905. It equals or surpasses any other film I have seen from this period. It depicts various scenes in the life of Christ, from the Annunciation to the Ascension. Each scene starts with a title card briefly describing the following action. There are no dialogue titles, which means the film assumes a fairly good knowledge of the Bible. Anyone coming to the film with no prior knowledge of the story of Christ would find the film in places quite hard to follow. For example, when the Marriage of Cana is depicted and Christ turns the water into wine, it would be hard to judge that he was doing this unless one knew in advance. There are 31 scenes or tableaux in the film which runs around 44 minutes and many of them resemble the paintings of Renaissance art. The scene of the last supper is reminiscent of Leonardo Da Vinci's famous fresco. But the film is far from static, including lively crowd scenes and quite violent action, as in the scene of the slaughter of the innocents. It has a good deal of spectacle, and for its time, fine special effects showing Christ walking on water or angels appearing as if from nowhere. Best of all this film showcases an early example of Pathé's stencil colour process, whereby various colours were applied to the individual frames of film. The result is quite beautiful to look at. The print of Life and Passion of Jesus Christ is excellent. For such an early film, it is marvellous that such a clear and detailed print has survived. The second film on this DVD, From the Manger to the Cross (1912), shows how quickly filmmaking had progressed during the few years since the making of the Pathé film. It is more sophisticated, with a more naturalistic style of acting. It was filmed on actual locations, rather than on stage sets, and provides some fascinating glimpses of Bethlehem, Jerusalem, the Pyramids and the Sphinx. It runs around 70 minutes and is one of the earliest American feature films. It is thus of considerable historical importance. The main fault with From the Manger to the Cross is that it has far too many titles. Each scene uses Biblical quotations to describe the action and to provide dialogue. This sometimes works well, but is overdone, so that the viewer must spend too much time reading rather than watching. I enjoyed this film less than the earlier one, but it is still a fine film setting the standard for the many Biblical epics which would follow. The tinted print of From the Manger to the Cross is good, but not as pristine as the Pathé film. It shows some wear and tear and is somewhat soft lacking some detail and clarity of image. Both of the films on this DVD have fine organ scores. The music follows the action and the mood of the films and is well played on a church organ. This DVD is excellent value, including two of the most important early films about Jesus Christ. It should be of interest to both silent film fans and more generally those who enjoy Biblical films.
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