"Jesus of Nazareth" (1977) TV mini-series

Writers:

Anthony Burgess (written by) &
Suso Cecchi D'Amico (written by) ...
(more)

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

3 April 1977 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Christianity | Self Sacrifice | Temple | Back From The Dead | Resurrection

Awards:

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

Cast

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)
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)
Yorgos Vogiatzis	...	Joseph (2 episodes, 1977)

Series Directed by
Franco Zeffirelli		(2 episodes, 1977)

Series Writing credits
Anthony Burgess		(unknown episodes)
David Butler		(unknown episodes)
Suso Cecchi D'Amico		(unknown episodes)
Franco Zeffirelli		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Tarak Ben Ammar	....	deputy producer: Tunisia (unknown episodes)
Lew Grade	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)
Bernard J. Kingham	....	executive producer (unknown episodes)
Vincenzo Labella	....	producer (unknown episodes)
Dyson Lovell	....	associate producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
Maurice Jarre		(unknown episodes)

Series Cinematography by
Armando Nannuzzi		(unknown episodes)
David Watkin		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
Reginald Mills		(unknown episodes)

Series Casting by
Dyson Lovell		(unknown episodes)

Series Production Design by
Gianni Quaranta		(unknown episodes)

Series Costume Design by
Marcel Escoffier		(unknown episodes)
Enrico Sabbatini		(unknown episodes)

Series Makeup Department
Ennio Cascioli	....	hair stylist (unknown episodes)
Otello Fava	....	makeup artist (unknown episodes)
Stefano Fava	....	makeup artist (unknown episodes)
Giancarlo Marin	....	hair stylist (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Abdellatif Ben Ammar	....	production manager (unknown episodes)
Eros Lafranconi	....	production manager (unknown episodes)
Luciano Piperno	....	production supervisor (unknown episodes)
Abdelaziz Ramdani	....	production manager (unknown episodes)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Mohamed Abbazi	....	assistant director (unknown episodes)
Pippo Pisciotto	....	assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Francesco Fedeli	....	scenic artist (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
David Stephenson	....	boom operator (2 episodes, 1977)
Gerry Humphreys	....	sound recordist (unknown episodes)
Simon Kaye	....	sound recordist (unknown episodes)
Peter Maxwell	....	adr mixer (unknown episodes)
John W. Mitchell	....	sound recordist (unknown episodes)
Don Sharpe	....	dubbing editor (unknown episodes)
Lionel Strutt	....	sound re-recording mixer (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Freddie Cooper	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)
Nino Cristiani	....	camera operator (unknown episodes)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Giovanni Viti	....	assistant costume designer (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Chris Kelly	....	assistant editor (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Frank Barber	....	music assistant (unknown episodes)
Maurice Jarre	....	conductor (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Alberto Testa	....	choreographer (unknown episodes, 1977)
Yvonne Axeworthy	....	continuity (unknown episodes)
Stefano Priori	....	assistant accountant (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Incorporated Television Company (ITC)
• Radiotelevisione Italiana

Distributors

• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1977) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Toho-Towa (1980) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Live Home Video (1995) (USA) (VHS)
• VCL Communications (1998) (Germany) (DVD)
• Carlton Visual Entertainment (2000) (UK) (DVD)
• Film Office (2000) (France) (DVD)
• Artisan Entertainment (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Video Film Express (2001) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Artisan Entertainment (2002) (USA) (DVD)
• Life Entertainment (2003) (Japan) (DVD)
• History Channel (2007) (USA) (TV)
• Maple Pictures (2007) (Canada) (DVD)
• CBS/Fox (1980s) (USA) (VHS)
• Divisa Home Video (2011) (Spain) (DVD)
• Granada International (2008) (worldwide) (TV)
• Independent Television (ITV) (19??) (UK) (TV)
• Koch Media (2012) (Germany) (DVD)
• Top Tape (19??) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) (2008) (USA) (TV)
• Zima Entertainment (2005) (Mexico) (DVD)

Other Companies

• National Philharmonic Orchestra  music played by

Also Known As:

Runtime:

382 min | UK:180 min (2 episodes) | Italy:237 min (2 parts)

Country:

Italy | UK

Language:

English | Syriac

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Australia:G (cut version) | Australia:M (original uncut version) | Egypt:(Banned) | South Korea:All | Norway:10 | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Ait Benhaddou, Morocco

Company:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Trivia:

Maria Schneider was originally offered the role of the Virgin Mary but declined and later regretted the decision.

Goofs:

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

Quotes:

Jesus Christ:Destroy this temple, and in three days I will make it rise again.
Zerah:It took centuries to build this temple. Do you think you can build it again in three days?
Jesus Christ:You have said it, but you have not understood.
Zerah:[indignant] Rabbi, I understand better than you *think*.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Passion: Films, Faith & Fury (2006) (TV)

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