"Jesus of Nazareth" (1977) TV mini-series

User Rating:

8.5/10   

Director:

Franco Zeffirelli

Writers:

Anthony Burgess (written by) &
Suso Cecchi d'Amico (written by) ...

Release Date:

3 April 1977 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | History

Plot:

A reverent depiction of the life of Christ using the Gospel accounts.

Plot Keywords:

Tax Collector | Compassion | Rabbi | Cross | Easter

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Robert Powell	...	Jesus Christ
Anne Bancroft	...	Mary Magdalene
Ernest Borgnine	...	The Centurion
Claudia Cardinale	...	The Adulteress
Valentina Cortese	...	Herodias
James Farentino	...	Simon Peter
James Earl Jones	...	Balthazar
Stacy Keach	...	Barabbas
Tony Lo Bianco	...	Quintilius
James Mason	...	Joseph of Arimathea
Ian McShane	...	Judas Iscariot
Laurence Olivier	...	Nicodemus
Donald Pleasence	...	Melchior
Christopher Plummer	...	Herod Antipas
Anthony Quinn	...	Caiaphas

Also Known As:

Gesù di Nazareth (Italy)

Runtime:

382 min | UK:180 min (2 episodes) | Italy:237 min (2 parts) (theatrical version)

Country:

Italy | UK

Language:

Assyrian Neo-Aramaic | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Australia:G (cut version) | Australia:M (original uncut version) | Egypt:(Banned) | South Korea:All | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Ait Benhaddou, Morocco

Company:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Trivia:

Yorgo Voyagis, who plays Joseph (Mary's husband), can be seen speaking in English, but his voice is dubbed by an uncredited actor. Voyagis' real voice can be heard in the Diane Keaton film The Little Drummer Girl (1984). Franco Zeffirelli also used this technique with a few of the actors in his film version of Romeo and Juliet (1968/I).

Goofs:

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

Quotes:

Jesus Christ: Destroy this temple, and in three days I will make it rise again.
Zerah: It took centuries to build this temple. Do you think you can build it again in three days?
Jesus Christ: You have said it, but you have not understood.
Zerah: [indignant] Rabbi, I understand better than you *think*.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Tékás (2001)

A masterpiece

A film with a prodigious baroque photography, a true homage to sacred art works in line of catholic tradition. Also this film is a personal view of Zeffirelli, who presents a Christ very human, although sometimes in mystical ecstasy but probably like must be a man who thinks that is a God. Zeffirelli message is than exceptical like Pasolini. Jesus Miracles are simple and criptical and can considered it. In this film there is philosophical conversation, in Pasolini only there a translation of "evangelio secondi di mateo" texts, like says the title. Dramatically is very better that Passolini. Robert Powell is incredible. The cinematography and illumination is the key for achieve that scenes that mix light and darkness. Atrezzo is totally realistic. Virtuoso and majesty. Perfect 10/10

My English is poor, I know it.