Jésus de Nazareth 

Beginning before the Nativity and extending through the Crucifixion and Ressurection, JESUS OF NAZARETH brings to life all the sweeping drama in the life of Jesus, as told by the Gospels.

Stars:

Robert Powell, Olivia Hussey, Laurence Olivier

Top Rated TV #167 | 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 Skinner	...	Obessed Boy / ... (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

Beginning before the Nativity and extending through the Crucifixion and Ressurection, JESUS OF NAZARETH brings to life all the sweeping drama in the life of Jesus, as told by the Gospels.

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Plot Keywords:

crucifixion | epic | john the baptist | ancient rome | religious sword and sandal | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

Italy UK

Language:

English Syriac

Release Date:

3 April 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jésus de Nazareth

Filming Locations:

Ait Benhaddou, Morocco

Company Credits

Production Co:

ITC Films, 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

Because Robert Powell looked so much like Jesus in pictures, every time he exited his dressing room in costume. The foul language the film crew was using suddenly stopped.

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Goofs

Just after Jesus is baptized by John, in one scene it shows him walking up the hill with the lower 1/4 of his clothes still wet from him bowing down in the water. The camera shifts to view John watching Jesus walking away and then comes back to Jesus, but this time his clothes are completely dry!

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Quotes

Simeon: [seeing the Baby Jesus for the first time] Now I can die contented, Lord, according to Thy will.
[gently, to the Virgin Mary]
Simeon: And a sword shall pierce your heart.

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Connections

Version of The Jesus Film (1979)

User Reviews

Not to be missed

Was Jesus the Divine Son of God or simply a daring revolutionary? There have always been questions concerning Jesus and who He really was, and therefore, there will probably always be films about Him and His ministry on Earth. Whether or not Jesus was who He claimed to be, the Savior of the world, one thing is certain: He is alive in the hearts of millions, and this film helped capture the spirit of the Christian beliefs, making Jesus not so much an icon but a living, breathing Son of God, perfect in every way, Who loved us enough to die for our sins.

There have been many versions of the life of Christ, and many actors who have brought their own personalities to the part. William Defoe was a fearless leader in "The Last Temptation of Christ." Brian Deacon was friendly and cheerful in "Jesus." Max Von Sydow spoke with authority and passion in "The Greatest Story Ever Told." Jurgen Prochnow was cold and mysterious in "The Seventh Sign." Jeffrey Hunter was untouchable and almost with little personality except to complete the mission assigned to him in "King of Kings." All of these men have contributed, but I would have to say that none of them were truly convincing, just because there are so many aspects to Jesus, and, being human, they were unable to really portray the Son of God affectively.

Enter Robert Powell. This man looks as if he were born to play Jesus, from the physical features to the very heart and soul of the Son of Man. He manages to combine the elements of his peers who attempted the role, and you don't see the actor....you see Jesus Christ. You can sence the love and the passion flowing through Him, and at the same time, you can see His authority and discipline. For the first time, we have a Jesus who is "one hundred percent man and one hundred percent God."

This is also possibly the longest movie I've ever sat through, but it held my attention, nevertheless. Zeffirelli manages to keep it captivating, with a powerful soundtract and a cast of famous actors that are jam-packed but never overused. Not only do you see an affective Jesus, but you also see a wonderful group of people who were affected by Him. If the real Jesus was anything like the way Robert Powell portrayed Him, then I don't have any problem wondering how Christianity has managed to grow and be spread, impacting countless lives....including mine.

"Jesus of Nazareth"....you do your title-name proud. Truly this Man WAS the Son of God.