Jesus of Nazareth

Rating:
Summary: A Film For the Ages
Review: With the recent rise in interest surrounding the Mel Gibson film "The Passion of the Christ", many moviegoers may be left clammoring for more on the life of Jesus. This film is the ultimate counterpart to the forementioned film.

Jesus of Nazareth, originally filmed and released in 1977, is considered to be one of, if not the most, faithful depiciton of Christ's life. The script, which was lifted almost directly from the bible, manages to capture the essence of this famous bible story of the New Testament, without the Hollywood "cheese" that so many other film adaptations of this story seem to possess.

What makes this a great film is the seriousness by which the story is approached, the talent that is cast in each of the principal and supporting roles, and the genuineness of the locations where the film was shot. The movie is timeless, and masterfully delivered by director Franco Zeffirelli, whose cinematic style is not notably dated. Aside from the limitations of pre-digital mastering that was available at the time the film was produced, the quality of picture, sound and actor performance is first rate, and will capture the audience for the entire film.

Of course, the story is the life of Christ, beginning with the engagement of Mary and Joseph, the birth of Jesus, and then the culmination of his life as he is sacrificed by the Romans on the Cross before rising three days later. The film features many of the stories from the gospel, including many of the sermons Christ delivered, many of the miracles He performed, and the immense controversy he caused as a result of his teachings.

Although the film was originally created for the television, it does not lessen the brutality of Christ's suffering by the hands of the Romans, nor does it lessen the impact of Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross. In some ways, it is a superior film to "The Passion of the Christ" in that it balances the elements of Christ's crucifixition with the events that led up to it. (NOTE: I am a huge fan and avid supporter of Gibson's film, and this is not intended to detract at all from his film-The Passion is a profoundly powerful piece (please see my review for details)).

This is a film that is age appropriate for all audiences and is a worthwhile investment for any video collection. Moreover, for anyone who is looking for greater understanding of who Christ was in his life and works here on Earth, this film is a great source for many of those answers. It is truly an epic piece of cinematic excellence, and a wonderful introduction into the teachings of Christ, and the life he lived as he walked the Earth.

-Scott Kolecki

Rating:
Summary: Even better than "The Passion."
Review: This is the best 'Jesus' movie done even as it or no other movie about Jesus bears much historical integrity. The only reference in the scriptures as to what he looked like says that his feet were like brass and his hair was like wool. To me that translates to a very olive skin color and very curly hair--not unlike some of the people in that part of the world today. I'd like to see a Jesus that comes closer to that description on film as opposed to the blond and blue eyed versions.

An earlier reviewer said he had to be white, not black,(as if he has to be one or the other) because Mel Brooks, Woody Allen and the Three Stooges are Jews and they are white. That rational, at best, is laughable. I suggest a trip to Israel. Jews thousands of years out of Israel compared to some that never left the region can be like the difference of night and day. Also remember, Mary and Joseph hid in Egypt with the baby Jesus to escape his being killed after his birth. How hard would it be for white people to hide in Africa? But back to my opinion of this movie--It is THE best ever done and should be part of any Biblical Epic collection. It is far better than "King of Kings," and "The Greatest Story Ever Told." Robert Powell totally consumed the role. I almost expect Jesus to have that very same demeanor even as they probably look nothing alike...

Rating:
Summary: Simply the Best
Review: Forget Mel's "Passion." Director Franco Zeffirelli's beatifully acted and filmed story of the life of Jesus is simply the best film version EVER made. Why? Well, let's start with Robert Powell's heartbreaking performance. Unlike so many movie versions of Jesus, he's not the blond-haired surfer dude, and while he doesn't exactly look like a Jew from the Middle East, he's one of the best portrayers. Second, there's the focus on the entire life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus, not just the Passion, which has always been -- for me -- the most important. Third, is the movie-quality production value. This mini-series is just great to look at. I cannot praise this film enough. If your looking for a film that gives you a full picture of Jesus' life, ministry, the Crucifixion, and Resurrection, then "Jesus of Nazareth" is the only choice.

Rating:
Summary: A Masterwork
Review: I saw "The Passion Of The Christ" last friday, and though I liked
it, Franco Zeffirelli's "Jesus Of Nazareth" remains the best film
on Jesus I've ever seen. This film changed the way I looked at Jesus. I remember seeing it a few times when I was a child. Then
I rediscovered it in my twenties on vhs. Though I was already a
Christian, this film made me passionate about Christ, and a fan
of Zeffirelli's work. It is a faithful, and near literal adaption
of the Gospel text, and has a rougher, more realistic look than the Hollywood epics that came before it. The cast is top notch,
Robert Powell, in particular, in the title roll. The score and camera work are exceptional as well. If you've seen Mel Gibson's
film and liked it, but want to see the whole story, see this film.

Rating:
Summary: now it's my turn
Review: I used to watch NBCs Broadcast of The Greatest Story Ever Told every Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.To me this was the definitive movie on the life of Christ. Then one year I saw in the TV GUIDE: JESUS OF NAZARETH. My first response was disappointment.But since TGSET was not being aired and cable tv was not commonplace in 1977 I gave the new Jesus movie a viewing.Much to my pleasure it was the MOST BEAUTIFUL, MOST REVERENT,and MOST COMPELLING movie on the life of Christ ever made.My first reaction at the baptismal scene when Jesus makes his first appearance as a full grown man was WOW! They got Jesus to play Himself.No Robert Powell does not look like our Lord.If you see him in his other films he bears no resemblance to Christ at all.The credit goes to make-up staff. They were so brilliant most of you didn"t even know make-up was used.But regardless Powell's Jesus is the definitive look of Christ. Why? Because I said so. And get off that "Jesus was Black"baloney Chew on these facts: Mel Brooks, Woody Allen, Gene Simmons,Paul Stanley,The Three Stooges,The Marx brothers Adam sandler. ALL JEWISH; ALL WHITE. Since it is scientific fact that the Black gene is dominant above all races what hocus pocus was used make Jews white? And if you think they are not jewish. why would any one want to pretend they belonged to the most persecuited race. Sorry for the side bar.There are so many beautiful shots in this series I wish I could get stills and enlarge them.As far a scriptural inaccuracies, there were none.only mild transitions to convey the story.This is probably my worst review ever.The DVD does not look nearly as bad as some people might have you believe.I think its slightly improved from the VHS version But I do await a better version with enhanced digital picture and behind the scenes footage.

Rating:
Summary: Jesus will return. Jesus of Nazareth, best of all films.
Review: Yes! The definitive best. As close to the King James Holy Bible and accurate as can be. This version adds a few more things from the King James Holy Bible that other films do not (exception: "Jesus" (1979), "In Search of Historic Jesus" (1979). This continues the true story beyond the Crucifixion and when Mary (His mother), Salome and Mary Magdalene went to the tomb to annoint the deceased Jesus. They discovered the stone had been rolled away and the tomb empty and the mysterious man in the white robe. No other movie adds the following: Jesus was "alive" and did appear to his disciples again. According to the bible, Jesus appeared nearly unrecognizable. He showed them his hands and his feet. Then they could see it was him. He spoke to them and even ate a fish. He appeared for 40 more days and then ascended into the clouds (from Earth to Heaven). It is promised that Jesus will return. I, too, enjoy the magnificent, gentle, kind and honest performance of Roberet Powell as "Jesus". Almost hynotizing. Robert Powell was the perfect age to play "Jesus" at age 32. Olivia Hussey, James Farentino, Michael York, Ann Bancroft, Ian McShane, Donald Pleasence, Christopher Plummer, Anthony Quinn, Ernest Borgnine, Fernando Rey and Peter Ustinov are unforgetable in their roles. Immad Cohen played "Young Jesus". Allow your children to see the mini-series. Perhaps one hour at a time. Let them see the Crucifixion and when your child asks "why?", you will know what to say. Jesus died on the cross so that we could live. He saved our lives. And we are all saved.

Rating:
Summary: Jesus will return. Jesus of Nazareth, best of all films.
Review: Yes! The definitive best. As close to the King James Holy Bible and accurate as can be. This version adds a few more things from the King James Bible that other films do not. This continues the true story beyond the Crucifixion and when Mary (His mother), Salome and Mary Magdalene went to the tomb to annoint the deceased Jesus only to discover the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. They also saw the mysterious man in the white robe. No other movie adds the following: Jesus was "alive" and did appear to his disciples again. According to the bible, Jesus appeared unrecognizable. He showed them his hands and feet. Then they could see he was Jesus. He spoke to them and even ate a fish. He appeared for 40 days and then ascended into the clouds (from Earth to Heaven). It is promised that Jesus will return. I, too, enjoy the magnificent, gentle, kind and honest performance of Robert Powell as "Jesus". Almost hypnotizing. Robert Powell was the perfect age to play "Jesus" at age 32. Excellent casting of "Joseph", played by Yorgo Voyagis. He plays "Joseph" with emotion and with a kind face. Olivia Hussey as "Mary" (mother of Jesus) is memorable in her role as well. Also in the cast is James Farentino, Michael York, Ann Bancroft, Ian McShane, Donald Pleasence, Christopher Plummer, Ernest Borgnine, Anthony Quinn, Fernando Rey and Peter Ustinov are unforgetable in their roles. Immad Cohen played Jesus as a young child. Allow your children to see the mini-series. Perhaps one hour at a time. Let them see the Crucifixion and when your child asks "Why?", you will know what to say. Jesus died on the cross so that we could live. He saved our lives. And we are all saved.

Rating:
Summary: best story ever told
Review: well done i always watched this movie from begining to end

Rating:
Summary: Great film if you want just the facts
Review: I find myself writing this review at the same time as 'Last Temptation of Christ' (a film unfairly critcized by narrow-minded Christians) and 'The Passion of the Christ' (a film unfairly criticized by narrow-minded non-Christians). All of these films are great for completely different reasons - 'Last Temptation' for its artistic and philosophical boldness to go beyond the text of the New Testament to explore the dual nature of Jesus as God and man; adn 'The Passion' for its pure, unrelenting, singular, spiritual forcefulness.

My only criticism of this film is that it takes few chances, as the script is pretty much a chronological narrative of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, as set forth in the gospels. As saccarine as the visuals may appear 25 years later, this film pushed the limit alot further than the utterly unwatchable predecessors, such as "The Greatest Story Ever Told". The fact is that, in this day and age, where Christianity is un-politically correct, this miniseries, which is in my opinion the best made-for-TV film ever made, could never be made. Nonetheless, director Zeferelli did a great job with his underrated 'Hamlet' (1990) and did an underrated film here, and the musical themse is haunting and unforgettable. For these reasons, I give it a thumbs up.

Rating:
Summary: Majestic version of Christ's life
Review: Majestic and beautifully shot with strong performances all around, Jesus of Nazareth lacks the overblown almost operatic production touches of Nickolas Ray's "King of Kings" but still manages to retain a sense of the importance of the subject through subtle, nicely wrought character touches.

Although not completely faithful to the New Testament, director Franco Zefferelli embellishes in such a way as to make the story more dramatically compelling and interesting. The performers particularly Robert Powell in the central role all give strong, interesting performances. Powell's characterization is less bland than many of the other versions we've seen and, as such, makes the Christ come alive much more so for the modern viewer.

"Jesus of Nazareth" makes a fine companion piece to Mel Gibson's controversial "The Passion of the Christ" focusing on different elements. The big difference between the two films, though, is the level of explicit onscreen violence. Zefferelli's film still shows what happens but with a more subdued touch (due to the constraints of network television censors as it was originally produced for NBC).

Both films in their own ways tell what could be termed essential variations on the same great story. Their contrasting styles make each suitable to very different audiences.