Gospel According to St Matthew

Rating:
Summary: Too good to be true
Review: A budget release of Pasolini's _Gospel According to St. Matthew_ would seem too good to be true. Alas, this particular DVD proves neither good nor true.

The only soundtrack here is the English-dubbed version. The original Italian-language soundtrack is not available, and the sound mix is seriously compromised whenever the dubbing is inserted. Ironically, this budget version boasts a slightly better transfer than the thirty-dollar deluxe edition. But even so, the picture is barely watchable, and even shows a few lines here and there that make the film look as if it had been copied off an old VCR.

Despite the fact that this DVD is seven minutes shorter than the film's official running time, it doesn't seem to lack any footage. But the film does run at a faster speed than it ought, which throws the editing off kilter and makes the dubbing feel a little rushed. There are no extras, of course.

_Gospel According to St. Matthew_ is one of a few truly great religious films, but it has yet to receive even an adequate presentation on DVD.