Rating: 
Summary: My life changed dramatically after I watched this show!
Review: This video is one of my all-time favorites. The actor who plays Jesus does such an outstanding job that one is moved to tears throughout the movie. The people seem as if they walked right out of the Book of Matthew, they are so convincing and believable. The movie sticks with the truth and reveals it beautifully. A true Hollywood Classic!
Rating: 
Summary: Should Have Been Better
Review: Generally I liked this movie. However I object to the creative license taken with the gospels. I cite the following as totally inacurate: There was never a plot to kill Herod for the beheading of John the Baptist. Simon was called the Zealot but this does not mean he was a member of the Zealot party as portrayed by Zefferelli. There is no introduction of the apostles Jude - Thadeus (son of James) or Bartholomew also referred to as Nathaniel. In this movie, James - Son of Alphaeus is referred to as Mathew's brother. The gospels do not state such. Jesus looks and sounds too much like a pretty erudite Englishman and not a rugged and grizzled carpenter. All of the apostles seem more like theater stars rather than real people who worked long hard hours in the sun.I will say this much, of all the movies of Jesus I have seen, this version is lot better than King of Kings or the horribly worse Greatest Story Ever Told where Christ looks and speaks English like a hairy German.
Rating:
Summary: Epic of the Greatest
Review: In his slim book of his account of the making of JESUS OF NAZARETH, Director Franco Zeffirelli said that he felt the need to bring the story of Christ to the screen after a car accident left him asking questions about the meaning of his life.
(I just watched the ABC interview with Mel Gibson this week, one week before his film THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST opens, and he also speaks of the "spiritually bankrupt" crisis that led him to his film). I haven't seen THE PASSION yet but I have a feeling it will become the companion film to JESUS OF NAZARETH for me: both will be bold visions of the greatest story ever told. When JESUS played as a mini-series in the 70's, I found many things to admire about it.
The casting was inspired. Robert Powell plays Jesus with such sincerity and intensity that he appears other-worldly at times. James Farentino as Simon Peter makes the moving transition from salty fisherman to broken saint. Rod Steiger has the perfect cruel befuddlement as Pilate. Michael York is manic and almost unrecognizable as John the Baptist. Anne Bancroft is marvelous. Laurence Olivier, Ernest Borgnine, Christopher Plummer, Anthony Quinn--the cast is just the best.
The script has been written with reverrent conviction to the Bible and an eye for maximum drama.
This was also one of the first "religious movies" that worked to have a realistic look to the Israel of 2000 years ago (it was actually filmed in Tunisia). If you go see THE PASSION and want to see more of the story, then definitely check out JESUS OF NAZARETH.
(My only complaint: even though the closed caption symbol appears on the package, there is no option for it on the DVD).
Rating:
Summary: Before Mel there was Franco...
Review: I've preferred this rendering of the story of Christ to most others ever since in was released in 1977. Others have praised the lineup of actors and performances. Zeffirelli is known for his attention to detail in both his directing and set decoration. He is a favorite of mine both for his work in film and in opera (and in opera on film) -- see the film "Tea with Mussolini" for the rest of his story. In 1977 this film was initially castigated just a Mel Gibson's "Passion" is being attacked these days. After a special showing for ecclesiastical "elite" in NYC, most of the nay sayers disappeared. This film is reasonably faithful to the Bible, but fills in some relationships about which the Bible is silent. The character of Judas is better developed here than simply a one dimensional traitor. It is all very interesting how the writers develop the story of Jesus against a backdrop of political unrest with the uneasy alliance between Rome and Jerusalem. This is a better film than "Kings of Kings" or "The Greatest Story Ever Told". It is a classic of its genre and is certainly accessible by most people regardless of religious persuasion. I wish it had not been made for the "small" screen, that it were a 16:9 aspect ratio, and that the soundtrack were 5.1 Dolby. But those are wishes, not gripes. Like other classics, we're fortunate to have what we have.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Film About a Great Man
Review: I am an agnostic and I am not a religious man but I must admit that the story of Jesus the Christ is one of the best ever. The film, Jesus of Nazareth, is very honest to the gospels. Whether the miracles really happened or not, Jesus' message is an enlightened truth of existence. If everyone followed the true message of Jesus the Christ, the earth would become a heaven for everyone. His message is the cure to all of the killing, greed, evil, and unhappiness in this world. His message is simple but it is the truth: it is of love and forgiveness, to share and to help, to not be lazy and to accept duty to humanity, to know that anger, revenge and violence would only lead to self-destruction, to respect and to never abuse the pleasures of the flesh (abuse: overeating, orgies, rape, alcohol abuse, drugs, etc) because abuse of the flesh will also lead to self-destruction, to be driven by what is right and not by money, for the wealthy to share to the poor and for the recipient--the poor--to be responsible and active (never be lazy), to have compassion and not be judgmental, and most of all is to do the right thing! If all of us live this way, the earth will be a paradise. But like the Roman, Pontius Pilato (Rod Steiger), says to Jesus in the film: "This man is a dreamer". Life is survival of the fittest. We are made of flesh and our flesh will lead to us to sin. Like the lion who must kill in order to stay alive. Our natural instinct is "the will to power" (Friedrich Nietzsche). We are an EGO--most of us become Christians because we want to be rewarded: "me, me, me,...I want a reward after all of this sacrifice!" Most of us believe in Jesus not because we want to do the right thing, but because we want to go to heaven. The message of the film, Jesus of Nazareth, is to follow your heart and that is to do what is right. You are defined by your actions and not by what you think, say or believe. Your character is defined by what you do. If you do what is right, you will be at peace with yourself and the world.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Moving Movie I Have Ever Seen
Review: When I first seen this movie I was only 13 yrs. old. I loved it and it never left my mind. When it came out on VHS, I bought it and watched it when I was alone at home. This time I was in my 30's, I watch and cried. It was like I felt the pain as I saw Jesus being whipped and the crown of thorns being placed on his head. I cried and cried, I have never seen such a great religion movie.
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL
Review: After nearly twenty-five years since Jesus of Nazareth was first broadcast, it remains my favorite among the genre. None after, nor before, can approach the quality of this production. Too, I can not imagine an actor -- now or ever -- able to exceed the performance delivered by Robert Powell in the role of Jesus.
Rating:
Summary: The Deepest Insight Into Jesus Ever Filmed!
Review: Coming from the island of Malta, the same country on which St. Paul was shipwrecked, I could not but be a Roman Catholic. However I hold a very open-minded approach to other beliefs. This movie not only encompasses a great soundtrack and superb acting, but it also offers a deep insight into Jesus the man, the leader, the sufferer, and of course...Jesus, the Son of God. I have watched all other movies related to this great man's life, but none, I repeat, none has ever come so close to touching my heart the way this movie did. Anybody of any belief would get to "feel" how it would actually would have been to be in this man's place. Jesus was a man who should, today, be the aim of today's political leaders. Definitely a must see! The 7 hours will pass as if they were an hour, and you'll watch it again, and again, and again....
Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: I'm A jew, I don't even believe in Jesus but this movie was just incredible. I spent 7 hours of my life learning about one man who I was confused about all my life. This epic miniseries answered all my questions about why would anyone follow him or pay attention to this one man. A must see for all religions.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST
Review: To Jaime X-treme: I feel sorry for you. I will pray for you. This is the definitive story of Jesus. No other comes close. Enough said.
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