Jesus of Nazareth (1977)

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

Stars:

Robert Powell, Olivia Hussey, Laurence Olivier

Top Rated TV #144 | Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 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)
Rod Steiger	...	Pontius Pilate (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)
David Garfield	...	Amos (2 episodes, 1977)
Robert Rietty	...	Various small roles (2 episodes, 1977)
Nikki Van der Zyl	...	Salome (2 episodes, 1977)

Storyline

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

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Plot Keywords:

john the baptist | ancient rome | religious sword and sandal | sword and sandal | death of hero | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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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), RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana

Technical Specs

Runtime:

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

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Unlike other films about Jesus Christ, Robert Powell's portrayal of Jesus Christ (in this film) starting from his dialogue "Woe to you, scribes and the Pharisees" till the dialogue "For I and my Father are one and the same" is very close to the personality of Jesus Christ in New Testament.

New Testament (Matthew 7:28-7:29) clearly points out that the crowds were amazed by the teachings of Jesus Christ, because Jesus Christ taught as one who had authority and not as their teachers of the law.

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Goofs

When Jesus visits Jerusalem as a young boy, his family walks past the outer wall and travels past the crucifixion site where Jesus would be killed later in the movie. In this early scene, the crosses and scaffolding have already been set up with the same Roman guards who appear later in the film (set 30 years in the future) already posted by the crucifixion hill.

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Quotes

Simon Peter: [having denied Jesus thrice] Oh God... oh God...
[shouting]
Simon Peter: My God! Please, help me!

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Connections

Featured in Saturday Night Live: Richard Benjamin, Paula Prentiss/The Grateful Dead (1980)

User Reviews

The Best Movie of the Life of Christ

"Jesus of Nazareth" is by far the most detailed movie on the life of Christ. I remember when it first aired on TV back in April of 1977. That was the week of my wedding and I remember watching it with my new bride on our honeymoon. Because of it's length and as a mini series it was able to cover most all the events in Jesus's life. There are many scenes and which I would say are some of my favorites but by far the best scene in the whole movie is when Earnest Borgnine, playing a Roman Centurian, approaches Jesus with a request that he heal a servant of his. A servant he loves as a son. Jesus says he will go to his home. The Centurian says that it won't be necessary since Jesus is a Jew and can't come into a Gentiles home. All Jesus has to do is give the word and he knows that Jesus would heal his servant. Jesus says that he has found no greater faith in all Israel than that of this Centurian. Although there were some artistic interpretations in the movie, they are so very few it isn't worth mentioning. I have seen the "Passion of the Christ" and I feel it is a very powerful movie on the last week of Christ, but it is so intense. I have to give "Jesus of Nazareth" the highest rating possible