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:

2000 years ago one man changed the world forever.

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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

When the officials are talking about taking the adultress before Jesus to trap him, her eye makeup is all smeared. Yet when they are talking to Jesus, it's been cleaned up.

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Quotes

Mary Magdalene: I just don't understand how you can believe in someone like me.
Jesus: God forgives you Mary
Mary Magdalene: If I were a man I'd be your most loyal disciple.
Jesus: Those who speak for me *are* my disciples

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Crazy Credits

In Memory of Enrico Sabatini

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Connections

Version of Jesus (1979)

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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

This Story is Vapid and Weak

This is yet another attempt to show a more "human" Jesus, and ends up showing him as indecisive, hesitant, weak, and needing the help and guidance of a few mortals to get him through. That is hardly the Jesus most Christians believe in. On the positive side, it does show a more playful and humorous Jesus, instead of merely a stoic and sterile portrayal. But this is quickly drowned out in the story's failures. By far the biggest fault in this story is that it starts off from the very beginning with an *agenda* - that is the Jews are completely blameless and all the guilt falls on the Romans. It even warps scripture to portray this. In the Gospels you read how Jesus makes attacks on hypocricy and the false piety of the scribes and Pharisees; in this film they're nowhere to be seen. For the Sermon on the Mound Jesus is mocked and argued down. In many instances Jesus looks more like just some guy chosen to be the Christ, instead of a Messiah sent from God. The second problem with the story is that it's just too hard to tell the Gospel in 4 tv hours. And some of that is wasted on a cool looking Satan in an Armani suit leaving the Gospels altogether and taking Jesus on a time trip. In short, if you want a far more uplifting and accurate portrayal, see Zeferelli's "Jesus of Nazareth". It's still the creme de la creme of the story of Jesus, and after seeing it you'll know how weak Jesus (1999) really is.