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 #198 | 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 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

The celebration of becoming a Bar Mitzvah, which Jesus is shown participating in, was not developed until medieval times.

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Alternate Versions

The mini-series ran on NBC as "The Big Event" in two three-hour installments with limited commercials on Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Additional footage was added for a 1979 re-run and broadcast in four two-hour installments. In the 1980s and 1990, the film was re-broadcast on NBC in three installments of two and three hour episodes...released on VHS and DVD as one complete presentation with one set of credits.

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Connections

Featured in Chuck Norris vs. Communism (2015)

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.