Jesus (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.

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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

Peter: But he's the enemy!
Jesus: If the man is your enemy, show him love. You are a strong man, Peter... Are you strong enough to love?

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Crazy Credits

In Memory of Enrico Sabatini

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Connections

Followed by St. Paul (2000)

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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

I loved it

I have just recently rented "Jesus" and I have watched it about 3 times and I'll probably eventually buy it. I absolutely loved this interpretation of Jesus and feel that this movie has brought me closer to him. I now have a more lovable, happy, and caring picture of Jesus in my mind, not that I didn't think of him that way before, it's just that this movie puts across a side of Jesus that we have not often seen in other movies. Watching this movie has just brought him to life for me and (even though I undoubtedly knew that he was real before) makes him seem even more real to me now. I love the fact, like so many others, that this movie portrayed Jesus to be HUMAN, happy, laughing, crying, and all the other emotions that we all, as humans, go through. Only he was not just any human. My absolute favorite part in the movie is when Jesus is crucified. Even though it might not have been long enough, it still captured the pain and agony that Jesus felt. It made my heart break watching this scene, and made me love him and appreciate him even more for the price he paid for us.