Primarily through characters who are not among the major historical figures surrounding the life of the Christian Messiah, this movie helps illustrate how Jesus Christ established a global kingdom not on military superiority but on love, sacrifice, mercy, forgiveness, Grace... but most of all on love.
His ideas were in stark contrast to the practices of the Roman Empire at the time, which was imperialistic and pagan. Many gods were worshiped. Citizenship was tiered and slaves might have outnumbered citizens.
Some slaves were gladiators and some were women bought to serve masters as they saw fit. Physical strength was greatly valued and mercy was not in great supply.
But Christ touched the hearts and minds of many by example, transforming them along the way. Christ's divine reach is demonstrated expertly in the final scene by Richard Burton, who is stellar throughout the film.
"Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do."
His ideas were in stark contrast to the practices of the Roman Empire at the time, which was imperialistic and pagan. Many gods were worshiped. Citizenship was tiered and slaves might have outnumbered citizens.
Some slaves were gladiators and some were women bought to serve masters as they saw fit. Physical strength was greatly valued and mercy was not in great supply.
But Christ touched the hearts and minds of many by example, transforming them along the way. Christ's divine reach is demonstrated expertly in the final scene by Richard Burton, who is stellar throughout the film.
"Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do."
- Luke 23:34.