Jesus of Nazareth (1977– )

A reverent depiction of the life of Christ using the Gospel accounts.

Stars:

Robert Powell, Olivia Hussey, James Mason

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Robert Powell	...	Jesus Christ (2 episodes, 1977)
Anne Bancroft	...	Mary Magdalene (2 episodes, 1977)
Ernest Borgnine	...	The Centurion (2 episodes, 1977)
James Farentino	...	Simon Peter (2 episodes, 1977)
Ian McShane	...	Judas Iscariot (2 episodes, 1977)
Christopher Plummer	...	Herod Antipas (2 episodes, 1977)
Olivia Hussey	...	Virgin Mary (2 episodes, 1977)
Tony Vogel	...	Andrew (2 episodes, 1977)
John Duttine	...	John the Evangelist (2 episodes, 1977)
Michael York	...	John the Baptist (2 episodes, 1977)
Jonathan Muller	...	James I (2 episodes, 1977)
Claudia Cardinale	...	The Adulteress (2 episodes, 1977)
Valentina Cortese	...	Herodias (2 episodes, 1977)
Sergio Nicolai	...	James II (2 episodes, 1977)
James Mason	...	Joseph of Arimathea (2 episodes, 1977)
Laurence Olivier	...	Nicodemus (2 episodes, 1977)
Anthony Quinn	...	Caiaphas (2 episodes, 1977)
John Eastham	...	Bartholomew (2 episodes, 1977)
Ian Holm	...	Zerah (2 episodes, 1977)
Ian Bannen	...	Amos (2 episodes, 1977)
Keith Washington	...	Matthew (2 episodes, 1977)

Storyline

A reverent depiction of the life of Christ using the Gospel accounts.

---

Plot Keywords:

back from the dead | ancient rome | crucifixion | easter | critically acclaimed | 

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

---

Details

Country:

Italy UK

Language:

English Syriac

Release Date:

3 April 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jesús de Nazareth

Filming Locations:

Ait Benhaddou, Morocco

Company Credits

Production Co:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC), Radiotelevisione Italiana

Technical Specs

Runtime:

382 min 180 min (2 episodes) 237 min (2 parts)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rarely during the movie do any of the actors portraying Jesus blink their eyes. Director 'Franco Zeffirelli' decided on this as a means of creating a subconscious visual mystique about the character that not only differentiated him from all other characters, and is eerily effective. The boy Jesus in the Temple blinks twice in the Temple, and the adult Jesus blinks only once on film.

---

Goofs

Full-immersion baptism, not sprinkling baptism, was in use at the time of Christ.

---

Quotes

Simon Peter: [Peter is drunk] Andrew. Andrew, I'm not like you. I'm not a follower of priests and prophets; I'm a fisherman. I've got my family to think of. You followed the Baptist, now follow this one...
Philip: [grabbing Peter's Arm] Peter!
Simon Peter: [wresting free] Just leave me alone! Why did you bring Him here to me?
[grabbing his net]
Simon Peter: *This* is my life! My nets... my boat.
[shouting]
Simon Peter: Go on! Follow Him! But leave me!
Andrew: Come on, you can't talk to him when he's like this.
[motioning the others to leave]
Andrew: Come on, Philip.

---

Connections

Version of The Gospel According to St. Matthew (1964)

User Reviews

A masterpiece

A film with a prodigious baroque photography, a true homage to sacred art works in line of catholic tradition. Also this film is a personal view of Zeffirelli, who presents a Christ very human, although sometimes in mystical ecstasy but probably like must be a man who thinks that is a God. Zeffirelli message is than exceptical like Pasolini. Jesus Miracles are simple and criptical and can considered it. In this film there is philosophical conversation, in Pasolini only there a translation of "evangelio secondi di mateo" texts, like says the title. Dramatically is very better that Passolini. Robert Powell is incredible. The cinematography and illumination is the key for achieve that scenes that mix light and darkness. Atrezzo is totally realistic. Virtuoso and majesty. Perfect 10/10

My English is poor, I know it.