Il messia (1975)

Director:

Roberto Rossellini

Writers:

Silvia D'Amico Bendico, Jean Gruault (French adaptation),

Stars:

Pier Maria Rossi, Mita Ungaro, Carlos de Carvalho

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Pier Maria Rossi	...	Jesus
Mita Ungaro	...	Virgin Mary
Carlos de Carvalho	...	John the Baptist
Fausto Di Bella	...	Saul
Vernon Dobtcheff	...	Samuel
Antonella Fasano	...	Mary Magdalene
Jean Martin	...	Pontius Pilate
Toni Ucci	...	Herod Antipas
Vittorio Caprioli	...	Herod the Great
Tina Aumont	...	Adulteress
Flora Carabella	...	Herodias
Raouf Ben Amor	...	Judas
Luis Suárez	...	John
Hedi Zoughlami	...	Simon Peter
Renato Montalbano	...	Matthew

Storyline

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Genres:

Biography | History

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Details

Country:

Italy France

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

18 February 1976 (France)

Also Known As:

The Messiah

Company Credits

Production Co:

Orizzonte 2000, Procinex, France 3 (FR 3)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

140 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Version of Behold the Man (1935)

User Reviews

Brilliant

This is an incredible movie, and for many reasons. No one in Hollywood could make such a low-key, authentic, and INTELLIGENT historic drama, especially considering subject matter. The first 20 minutes is a concise and brilliant history of the Jews. And then the life: It is the life of Jesus without the miracles. Like the priest in Open City (by Rossellini), R understands that the struggle is to live a good life. Most Biblical movies are a total insult. This is extraordinary. The actors are believable. It feels raw -- but controlled raw, if that makes sense. Again: authentic. Believable.