Jesus (TV 1999)

A movie about the life, work and death of Jesus as we know it from the Bible.

Director:

Roger Young

Writer:

Suzette Couture (teleplay)

Stars:

Jeremy Sisto, Debra Messing, Armin Mueller-Stahl

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeremy Sisto	...	Jesus
Debra Messing	...	Mary Magdalene
Armin Mueller-Stahl	...	Joseph
Jacqueline Bisset	...	Mary
Gary Oldman	...	Pontius Pilate
David O'Hara	...	John The Baptist
Claudio Amendola	...	Barabbas
G.W. Bailey	...	Philo
Luca Zingaretti	...	Peter
Luca Barbareschi	...	Herod Antipas
Christian Kohlund	...	Caiaphas
Elena Sofia Ricci	...	Herodias
Stefania Rocca	...	Mary of Bethany
Gabriella Pession	...	Salome
Maria Cristina Heller	...	Martha of Bethany

Storyline

Jesus dreams of a medieval battle in the name of Jesus Christ and of a dying world war soldier who, in desperation, calls out the name: Jesus. Jesus awakes, distraught. What is the meaning of this nightmare? Why are these strangers using his name? Jesus is a simple carpenter, like his father Joseph. Both are presently looking for work, but they've been wandering for days from town to town without finding any. Times are difficult in Galilee. Roman taxes are stifling the country. The hated Jewish tax collectors, viewed by the people as traitors, rob people of their last means of subsistence. Revolts and bands of revolutionary thieves are spreading uncertainty throughout the land. Herod Antipas, the Jewish king, is merely a weak shadow of his feared father Herod the Great. The real power lies in the hands of Caiphas, the high priest. To strengthen his position, he plays the Jewish interests against the Roman interests with religious fervor. His most dangerous opponent is the new Roman ...

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Plot Keywords:

roman | jewish | judas | miracle | john the baptist | 

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Taglines:

The greatest story of all time as it's never been told before.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Details

Official Sites:

Five Mile River Films Lux Vide

Country:

Czech Republic Italy Germany USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 May 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jésus

Filming Locations:

Ouarzazate, Morocco

Box Office

Budget:

$20,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Antena 3 Televisión, Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (ARD), Beta Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

240 min 240 min (2 parts)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Broadcast the same year as 'Mary: Mother of Jesus (1999) (TV)', which featured Christian Bale as Jesus. Jeremy Sisto went on to voice Batman in 'Justice League: The New Frontier (2008)(TV)'. Christian Bale played Batman in Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises. Also appearing was Gary Oldman, who plays Pontius Pilate in this film.

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Goofs

During Crucifixion a close up of a nail is shown on the wrist area being hammered in. Later on when Jesus appears to his disciples and tells Thomas to touch his nail wound, the wound is in his palm.

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Quotes

Mary Magdalene: Were you a good carpenter?
Jesus: It's a good thing I started preaching.

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Crazy Credits

In Memory of Enrico Sabatini

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Connections

Followed by The Apocalypse (2002)

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Soundtracks

"I Need You"
Written by Ty Lacy & Dennis Matkosky
Produced for Le Ann Rimes by the Acrynon Production Group
Le Ann Rimes appears courtesy of Curb Records

User Reviews

Amazing....

After becoming enchanted by Jeremy Sisto in the recent TNT "Caesar" I bought this film.

Being a Christian, I have always been left flat by the way Jesus is portrayed in film and pulpit alike. For Christ to have successfully died for my sins, He had to be like me. He had to share my emotions, my temptations, and my pain as well as my happiness, joy and love of life. He had to triumph over those human weaknesses when I can not. IF it were not so, He did not complete God's plan. Sisto's portrayal did not leave me disappointed in him, OR in my Christ.

Jesus in this film is a man who loves life, loves people, and loves his God. This is not a Jesus who seems to withdraw into the knowledge that he is destined for early death, but rather embraces those for whom he will die.

The Crucifiction scene left me shaken and on my knees in praise and thanksgiving. This Jesus did not meekly or stoically have his life taken. The howls and screams of pain and rejection from his God left me in tears and weak. When crying to God asking why he had forsaken him, every muscle in Sisto's body was shaking. Truly a shattering event when you have come to see your Lord in this man's portrayal of the Christ.

When Christ says he will be with us "always" I believe him and I am thankful.

Truly a masterpiece, but without Jeremy Sisto's performance and vision, I'm not sure this film works as well. With it, it's a 10 of 10.