Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Jim Caviezel | ... | Jesus | |
Maia Morgenstern | ... | Mary | |
Christo Jivkov | ... | John (as Hristo Jivkov) | |
Francesco De Vito | ... | Peter | |
Monica Bellucci | ... | Magdalen | |
Mattia Sbragia | ... | Caiphas | |
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Toni Bertorelli | ... | Annas |
Luca Lionello | ... | Judas | |
Hristo Shopov | ... | Pontius Pilate (as Hristo Naumov Shopov) | |
Claudia Gerini | ... | Claudia Procles | |
Fabio Sartor | ... | Abenader | |
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Giacinto Ferro | ... | Joseph of Arimathea |
Aleksander Mincer | ... | Nicodemus (as Olek Mincer) | |
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Sheila Mokhtari | ... | Woman in Audience |
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Lucio Allocca | ... | Old Temple Guard |
A depiction of the last twelve hours in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, on the day of his crucifixion in Jerusalem. The story opens in the Garden of Olives where Jesus has gone to pray after the Last Supper. Betrayed by Judas Iscariot, the controversial Jesus--who has performed 'miracles' and has publicly announced that he is 'the Son of God'--is arrested and taken back within the city walls of Jerusalem. There, the leaders of the Pharisees confront him with accusations of blasphemy; subsequently, his trial results with the leaders condemning him to his death. Jesus is brought before Pontius Pilate, the prefect of the Roman province of Judaea, for his sentencing. Pilate listens to the accusations leveled at Jesus by the Pharisees. Realizing that his own decision will cause him to become embroiled in a political conflict, Pilate defers to King Herod in deciding the matter of how to persecute Jesus. However, Herod returns Jesus to Pilate who, in turn, gives the crowd a choice between ... Written by Anthony Pereyra {hypersonic91@yahoo.com}
Mel Gibson has done the impossible. He has created a tale of the Christ that works on three separate levels.
As a spiritual message, the film is overwhelming, bringing tears of renewal to the believers in the audience. Even if you are not a believer, though, I still think there is something in this for you.
As an historical observation, the film is brilliant, depicting the social and political dynamics of the Romans and Sanhedrin with clarity and accessibility. This is the most believable interpretation of what happened to Christ, and although I knew the story going in, I found myself getting caught in the narrative, hoping someone would realize that this was an innocent man and that the persecution would stop.
Finally, as a work of art, this film is unparalleled. Mel borrows from the works of Caravaggio, Puntarmo, Michelangelo and Leonardo et. al., as well as the Medieval Passion Plays. As one who was made to study this in college, it all came back to me in a graphic context, with production design so amazing that it felt like I was going back in time, that I was seeing Jesus and Pilate and Peter and Mary.
This film will rock your world, and that's an understatement. One of the most beautiful films I have seen.