The Passover Plot (1976)

Dramatization of the controversial best-seller that posits an alternate version of the birth of Christianity. In this version, Jesus planned for His crucifixion by taking a drug that would ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Campus

Writers:

Millard Cohan, Patricia Louisianna Knop

Stars:

Harry Andrews, Hugh Griffith, Zalman King

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Harry Andrews	...	Yohanan the Baptist
Hugh Griffith	...	Caiaphas
Zalman King	...	Yeshua
Donald Pleasence	...	Pontius Pilate
Scott Wilson	...	Judah
Daniel Ades	...	Andros (as Dan Ades)
Michael Baseleon	...	Mattai
Lewis Van Bergen	...	Yoram
William Paul Burns	...	Shimon (as William Burns)
Dan Hedaya	...	Yaocov (as Daniel Hedaya)
Helena Kallianiotes	...	Visionary Woman
Kevin O'Connor	...	Irijah
Robert Walker Jr.	...	Bar Talmi
William Watson	...	Roman Captain

Storyline

Dramatization of the controversial best-seller that posits an alternate version of the birth of Christianity. In this version, Jesus planned for His crucifixion by taking a drug that would simulate death. After His unconscious body was placed in the tomb, a religious sect known as the Zealots would secretly steal Christ's body from the tomb, then spread the rumor that He had risen, thus fulfilling Biblical prophecy.

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Plot Keywords:

crucifixion | jerusalem | passover | 1st century | jesus christ | 

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Taglines:

He had to suffer on the cross and live. It was all part of ... The Passover Plot

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Israel USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1976 (Israel)

Also Known As:

Alilat Pesach

Filming Locations:

Israel

Company Credits

Production Co:

Atlas Film, Coast Industries, Golan-Globus Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

'Stacy Keach' and 'Trevor Howard' were cast in major roles but were replaced before filming.

User Reviews

Demands a re-release

Of course this film -- made over thirty years ago to exploit a controversial theory -- has been all but forgotten until very recently. But if The Da Vinci Code (2006) is as popular as the book -- and it looks like that's a possibility -- then this should be re-released, or shown on The History Channel or presented on DVD by a decent company, with Da Vinci Code tie-ins and all.

The book this is from, with the same title, by Hugo Schoenfeld, is very good, well researched and well thought-out. Another complementary title (and one the Da Vinci Code is accused of stealing from) is Baigent, Leigh and Lincoln's Holy Blood, Holy Grail. All three are recommended to religious conspiracy/heresy fans, like me, although The Da Vinci Code itself is the worst written of the trio.