I Beheld His Glory (1953) (TV)

Director:

John T. Coyle

Writer:

Arthur T. Horman (screenplay)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

George Macready plays the centurion who presided over Christ's crucifixion. |

Plot Keywords:

Roman Soldier | Christian Film | Trial | Crucifixion | Priest

Cast

Robert Wilson	...	Jesus Christ
George Macready	...	Cornelius
Lowell Gilmore	...	Pontius Pilate
James Flavin	...	Longinus
Grandon Rhodes	...	Eltheas
Tom Charlesworth	...	Thomas (as Thomas Charlesworth)
Morris Ankrum	...	Peter
Virginia Wave	...	Mary of Magdala
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
I. Stanford Jolley	...	Dismas (as Stan Jolly)

Runtime:

55 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Filming Locations:

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park - 10700 W. Escondido Canyon Rd., Agua Dulce, California, USA

Company:

Cathedral Films

Movie Connections:

Follows The Living Christ Series (1951)

Modest but effective Jesus movie.

I bought this movie at Dollar Tree on a DVD titled "Stories of Jesus." It contains this movie on one side and "The Power of the Resurrection" (which I am reviewing separately for this page) on the other side.

"I Beheld His Glory" is narrated by a Roman centurion named Cornelius (played by George Macready) who was sent by the Apostle Thomas (Charles Charlesworth) to tell a group of men about Jesus (Robert Wilson). The men have heard rumors about Jesus but have only a vague knowledge of him.

Cornelius tells the story of Jesus from his arrival in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to His appearance to His apostles after His resurrection. Among the other events portrayed in the movie are the Last Supper, Jesus' arrest, His trial, His crucifixion and His first recorded post-resurrection appearance, to Mary Magdalene (Virginia Wave). And the Bible is quoted directly on many occasions throughout.

The movie is generally well acted and effective. But it is not without flaws. The movie is limited by its low budget and its crucifixion scene is visually embarrassing. The sky looks extremely fake, like a backdrop of a high school play. And that scene is almost completely bloodless. Having studied the act of crucifixion - not merely the crucifixion of Jesus - and having seen "The Passion of the Christ," I think a scene such as this partly detracts from the sacrifice that Jesus made for us all. In addition, this movie completely ignores the horrific flogging that Jesus received immediately before being nailed to the cross. That was covered in extreme detail in "Passion." However, the crucifixion scene in "I Beheld His Glory" still has its strong points. It contains many of Jesus' most important quotes, including His assurance of salvation to the thief who was being simultaneously executed on an adjacent cross.

And from a technical standpoint, the movie is of adequate quality for its age and its transfer to DVD is solid.

In conclusion, this is not a definitive Jesus movie but it is a very worthwhile testament of the Christian faith. And getting this plus "The Power of the Resurrection" - a movie similar in both content and quality - for just $1 is an outstanding value. I rate "I Beheld His Glory" 7/10.