Rating: Summary: jesus of nazareth Review: it is the most beautiful film
Rating: Summary: How to see a proper movie about Christianity Review: So many times has man's interpretation of an event in history distorted the truth. It is very easy for film makers to add their favourite toppings to a historical event and we the viewer, never get to see an actual account. There are many interpretations of the life of Christ, and I believe that everyone has the right to their own opinion. But if you want to make a movie about Christ and portray him as a totally week man, as portrayed in "Last Temptation of Christ", then you have one thing to consider. Would a week man be so influential in this world 2000 years later? I don't think so. 5 stars to Zeffirelli who directed the truth and made it a masterpiece. All of the cast were perfect in their performances. This is the example for other filmakers who want to interperate and important historical and life event. Christ is the only way, Phil
Rating: Summary: Simply the best! Review: Absolutely the best movie about Jesus to date. Excellent acting and wonderful scenery, costumes, etc. You'll feel like you were actually there!
Rating: Summary: a very moving movie even for non- christians Review: although i am not christian,i would like to say that this movie is moving, touching to see what the messiah would have been like if you had met him in real life.In a sence we have met him through this movie,somehow we are moved through this movie. wether by the acting,directing,whatever it is,.Powell put on an excellent performance,i dont care what anyone says ,even though some say he had lack of emotion he did show emotion,he cried at the last supper,when he gave up his spirit just before he died he let out a tear,streaming down his face you could see emotion in the actor.Olivia hussey put on an astounding performance she is natural at her performance.when jesus was taken down from the cross she holds him like a child more or less shes wailing shes crying because her son had been killed,i mean this scene is a more moving scene in the movie though short was sad,even i cried. I dont think this movie could have been more moving if the director had added more miracles,preaching,or added more emotion to the movie the emotion is within us not just the movie. I think if you really wanted more emotion out of the film you have to pay more attention to the actors together rather than separate to see that there is a lot going on between them. every time i see this film it gets better and better,i have it on dvd and vhs and both are equal in quality picture.i think this movie should be view by all even the athiests,wiccas,xians everyone.
Rating: Summary: A good balance Review: I tend to not like Biblical epics because they don't believe in their own stories - they just pretend really hard so believers will buy tickets, or tune in during Easter or Passover. Jesus of Nazareth is one of the exceptions - it believes, but gently; smartly. Unlike the preachy, simple-minded gloss-over that we usually get when Hollywood does the story of Jesus, we get a thoughtful reflection of the times - the politics and the sociological climate that made the birth of Christianity possible. Even those members of the crowd who shout "Crucify him! Crucify him!" are not portrayed as villains. They are just products of the politics of the time. This relative realism, however, does not come at the expense of the Faithful. Like a Jesuit scholar who believes, yet also applies scientific and philosophical rigor to his studies, Franco Zefferelli manages to bring the miracles down to earth, but without making them seem less miraculous. That's quite a trick, because it plants the life of Jesus in the real world while not denying His divinity. The entire cast is exceptional, and Zefferelli's direction is dead-on. The magnificent work of cinematographer David Watkin can be seen in roughly half of the miniseries (if you know Watkins' work, you can tell WHICH half!). Greatly disappointing, however, is the murky video transfer. I would imagine that Artisan felt the audience for the DVD was limited (who but a fairly small number of Christians would want to invest six hours in watching a movie about Jesus?). But Jesus of Nazareth is actually good film-making, even without considering the subject. It is not in league with the great works of cinema, but it acquits itself nicely. It at least deserved a new, digital transfer.
Rating: Summary: Highly Recommended for Family Viewing During Lent Review: "Jesus of Nazareth" is arguably the best film version on the life of Christ ever made. A quick scan through these reviews, as well as a search on the Internet, will verify this. It has been hailed by Christians of all traditions: Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant alike. I'd like to recommend this as a Lenten experience for interested families. While our family has seen "Jesus of Nazareth" many times, this year is the first time we opted to make it part of Great Lent, spreading all 6.5 hours over three weeks. Families with younger children may want to view it in shorter segments, such as an hour at a time. This year I found the images of this film mingling with my private prayers, as well as during moments of the Divine Liturgy in our church. Zeffirelli uses a master's brush to "paint" images that evoke familiar Biblical paintings, frescoes, statues and icons. Having those images run through my mind enabled me to identify with characters in the gospel narrative, such as when praying: "Receive me, O Christ Who lovest the world, as Thou didst receive the prostitute, the thief, the tax collector and the prodigal." One error in the film was brought to my attention while discussing it with friends. Mary Magdalene is portrayed as the harlot at the feet of Jesus, which is not supported by a careful reading of the Scriptures. Apparently this perception came into common thinking several hundred years after she lived. Some may see this as a minor problem, but it colors our view of this true and devoted disciple who is called "Equal to the Apostles." One of the complaints I've noticed from other reviewers is that the Jesus in this film is distant, lacking in compassion. While I might have agreed with this in earlier years, I now feel that He can be viewed as a model for how we are called to be dispassionate, not ruled by our passions and emotions. Here, Jesus never failed to respond to those in need, however He was not driven by mere emotion. But this Jesus is not emotionless. For example, we see His anger at the "den of thieves," and His tears of anguish in the garden. In other words, He was in control of His emotions, as He wants us to be. If you have never seen Zeffirelli's "Jesus of Nazareth," I highly recommend it. It's well worth the investment of time...at Lent or at any other time of the year.
Rating: Summary: An essential Review: This video is an excellent spiritual preparation for Easter. Children as young as 8 can enjoy if you watch/explain with them. Yes the crucifixion is painful to watch..... but with all the garbage kids watch on TV, it is good for them to see suffering for a reason.
Rating: Summary: Jesus Of Nazareth has not aged well! Review: I first saw this film as a child and was quite impressed by it. When I revisited it lately I found that really it has not aged well at all.It feels like a big production, all star sunday school pagent with only a little more depth than you would expect to find in such a show. Although the cast is made up of famous actors, few of them aside from Ian Holm, are doing their best work here. Holm brings a realism and depth to his role that is lacking in many of the other performances. Some of the acting, such as Christopher Plummer and Peter Ustinov as the Herods, is embarrassingly over the top. Robert Powell is a good actor but his Jesus is so detached and uncharismatic that is hard to figure out why anyone would follow him or sit in rapt attention to his stories especially with all the long pauses this actor feels the need to use. Also distracting to me was the fact that some of the actors and extras appear to be from the Middle East while many of the speaking roles, including Powell, sound obviously British. Also the music while stirring at times, is overused. Many scenes would work better with no music at all or just the actors speaking to each other. Unfortunately although this film does have its moments of power, I found myself afterwards recalling parts of it I found campy such as " Halloween" star Donald Pleasance as a bizarre wise man visiting the new born Jesus. The crucifixion scene is good , but to be honest the depiction of this in " The Last Temptation Of Christ" is much more powerful.
Rating: Summary: A MUST-HAVE FOR EVERY BELIEVER! Review: It is inconceivable that on Amazon there are only 90 reviewers for Franco Zeffirelli's masterful and inspiring masterpiece as opposed to over 2000 for "The Matrix," a less-than-monumental piece of fluff from 1999. "Jesus of Nazareth" sports a cast of Academy Award-winners (Lawrence Olivier, Anne Bancroft, Ernest Borgnine, and Peter Ustinov, to name a few) and nominees (James Earl Jones, James Mason, Christopher Plummer) as well as a support from an international group of performers. Olivia Hussey brings just the amount of warmth and humanity in the role of Mary; Rod Steiger deftly portrays Pontius Pilate as a man torn between duty to his country and awe of this man called Jesus; Michael York is stunning as John the Baptist. Robert Powell brings to the movie the definitive portrait of Jesus. His passionate performance is the stuff of legend. Prior to this motion picture, there had been few instances wherein Christ had been seen; it is as if the screen was awaiting the right man for the part. Powell proves that to be true; he is perfect! If I have motivated even one soul to purchase this masterwork, then I have accomplished the goal of this review. Money could not be better spent.
Rating: Summary: Jesus of Nazareth a must have Review: Jesus of Nazareth is truly a great adaption of the Scriptures. This DVD is must have for all those interested in the life of Christ.
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