Jesus of Nazareth 

Beginning before the Nativity and extending through the Crucifixion and Resurrection, this mini-series brings to life all of the sweeping drama in the life of Jesus, as told by the Gospels.

Stars:

Robert Powell, Olivia Hussey, Laurence Olivier

Top Rated TV #237 | Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Robert Powell	...	Jesus Christ 2 episodes, 1977
Anne Bancroft	...	Mary Magdalene 2 episodes, 1977
Ernest Borgnine	...	The Centurion 2 episodes, 1977
James Farentino	...	Simon Peter 2 episodes, 1977
Ian McShane	...	Judas Iscariot 2 episodes, 1977
Christopher Plummer	...	Herod Antipas 2 episodes, 1977
Olivia Hussey	...	Virgin Mary 2 episodes, 1977
Tony Vogel	...	Andrew 2 episodes, 1977
John Duttine	...	John the Evangelist 2 episodes, 1977
Michael York	...	John the Baptist 2 episodes, 1977
Jonathan Muller	...	James I 2 episodes, 1977
Claudia Cardinale	...	The Adulteress / ... 2 episodes, 1977
Valentina Cortese	...	Herodias 2 episodes, 1977
Sergio Nicolai	...	James II 2 episodes, 1977
James Mason	...	Joseph of Arimathea 2 episodes, 1977
Laurence Olivier	...	Nicodemus 2 episodes, 1977
Anthony Quinn	...	Caiaphas 2 episodes, 1977
Rod Steiger	...	Pontius Pilate 2 episodes, 1977
John Eastham	...	Bartholomew 2 episodes, 1977
Ian Holm	...	Zerah 2 episodes, 1977
Ian Bannen	...	Amos 2 episodes, 1977
Keith Skinner	...	Obessed Boy / ... 2 episodes, 1977
Keith Washington	...	Matthew 2 episodes, 1977
Isabel Mestres	...	Salome 2 episodes, 1977
David Garfield	...	Amos 2 episodes, 1977
Robert Rietty	...	Various small roles 2 episodes, 1977
Nikki Van der Zyl	...	Salome 2 episodes, 1977

Storyline

Beginning before the Nativity and extending through the Crucifixion and Resurrection, this mini-series brings to life all of the sweeping drama in the life of Jesus, as told by the Gospels.

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Plot Keywords:

resurrection | epic | john the baptist | ancient rome | religious sword and sandal | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

Italy UK

Language:

English Syriac

Release Date:

3 April 1977 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jesus of Nazareth

Filming Locations:

Durango, Mexico

Company Credits

Production Co:

ITC Films, RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana

Technical Specs

Runtime:

382 min 180 min (2 episodes) 237 min (theatrical)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Its highly plausible, though not officially confirmed, that this mini-series, and the later 1979 extended version, inspired Monty Python to create Monty Python's Life of Brian (1979). Both have a similar plot, some of the same sets were later re-used, and in particular, the scene with Michael York as John the Baptist declaring he's not the Messiah, is part inspiration for the later "he's a very naughty boy".

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Goofs

Just after Jesus is baptized by John, in one scene it shows him walking up the hill with the lower 1/4 of his clothes still wet from him bowing down in the water. The camera shifts to view John watching Jesus walking away and then comes back to Jesus, but this time his clothes are completely dry!

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Alternate Versions

In the original television broadcast, as part of the Last Supper, a number of Jewish families, including that of the high priest, were shown celebrating Passover with Seder meals. This was done to emphasize that Jesus and his disciples were typical Jews, part of the Jewish religion, and to show that everyone else was celebrating too. This was even commented upon in a review in either Time or Newsweek magazine

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Connections

Referenced in The Passion: Films, Faith & Fury (2006)

User Reviews

Reverent portrayal of the life of Christ

Over the years, numerous attempts have been made to transfer the life of Christ to the screen, and one that succeeds is Franco Zefirelli's JESUS OF NAZARETH. The story is a straighforward retelling of the synoptic gospels(Matthew, Mark, and Luke), starting with the divine revelations to Mary and Joseph of their roles as Jesus's earthly parents on the the Resurrection. The score is beautific and reverent, and the big name actors who populate the film are well-cast(no Shelley Winters or John Wayne, thankfully). Also, British actor Robert Powell gives Jesus the proper reverence and poise. Zefirelli was correct to cast him; with his angular features, wavy brown hair and light eyes, this Jesus looks like every church icon and Sunday School picture I've ever seen, something Zefirelli was aware of and used to great effect. While he passes on accuracy for effect with Jesus, the apostles, it must be noted, all resemble the Hebrew peasants, publicans, and sinners they most certainly were. The length is tolerable, primarily because Zefirelli doesn't waste film on needless, arty panoramas or slow-moving dialogue. Zefirelli does keep the action moving, but one annoying technique he employs is the now dated-looking zoom close-up, but this happens infrequently. Highly recommended.