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 #203 | 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

Dame Elizabeth Taylor was interested in playing Mary Magdalene.

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Goofs

When Jesus' body is taken down off the cross and laid on the floor, one of his eyes blinks slightly.

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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

Version of The Gospel According to Matthew (1993)

User Reviews

Fantastic!

This movie is SO awesome! I've seen it so many times that I can quote most of the dialog! If you want the ultimate portrayal of Jesus, watch this movie. If you want to see the best church sermon ever, watch this movie. If you want God in your life and don't know how to go about it, watch this movie! Anyone who isn't touched by this movie definitely has a heart of stone.

At the scene where Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, the camera pans out and you see the countryside and Jesus from the back with his arms out and the tomb. Pay attention, after Lazarus walks out and the music gets dramatic, you see a huge shadow pass over the land that literally looks like God himself waved his arm over the earth. I wouldn't be surprised if He really did; showing us that He's pleased at what He was seeing! ;)