Jesus Of Nazareth [1977]

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Originally made for TV in 1977, this in-depth version of Jesus' life opens with a very thorough depiction of the story of his birth. The film doesn't skimp on some of the other landmark events of this famous story either. Director Franco Zeffirelli gives ample screen time each to the Last Supper and the Crucifixion. Passages of the Bible are quoted verbatim, the locations have a Palestine-like authenticity, and, aside from some of the principals (Robert Powell as Jesus, Olivia Hussey as Mary, and Stacy Keach as Barabbas), many of the non-Roman characters are actually played by Semitic-looking actors. Zeffirelli diligently provides the socio-political background that gave rise to Jesus' following and the crisis in belief it caused for the people of Israel (and one or two Romans). --Kimberly Heinrichs, Amazon.com

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-04-15 rating:
No need for many words

This film does not need many words to describe it.

It chronicles the life of the Messiah and spreads the truth of His words. It is a wonderful film and Robert Powell portrays Christ in the most beautiful, uplifting way imaginable. It brought tears to my eyes on many occasions during the film.

This film should be seen by everyone, it is quite simply breathtaking.

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review by: date: 2007-08-07 rating:
What a let down!
I bought this expecting the original and theres the rub, i should have looked at the customer reviews and saved my money. The sound track is simply dreadful and the cut down version is an insult. When will someone do something about this and bring out a version with its original colour a lively lush soundtrack and its original length. I will pay a great deal to obtain this. Now i just feel ripped off.

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review by: The Amazon Reviewer date: 2007-04-10 rating:
Success lies within in its spiritual message
Thirty years on, this film seems less outdated than even the 3 year old 'The Passion'.It really is a landmark in cinema and even in a country such as Mauritius with a predominant non Christian majority, this film was a resounding success. Originally made as a 6 hour TV movie, it finally hit the cinema halls and probably typecast Robert Powell forever as the ephemeral Jesus Christ. Its success lies within in its spiritual message. Jesus should be viewed as a great person by mankind not just Christians - however lets stick to the review. The first hour is devoted to the events leading to the birth of Jesus and the final moments focus very much on the events leading and after the crucifixion. These are very poignant moments. Just imagine the billions of people who have read the Bible and the millions who watched the film and visualized what they read ? The phrase' He died for our sins' is aptly illustrated in the screenplay and not even 'ThePassion' which had a huge gore element recaptures Zefferelli's rendition.

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review by: date: 2006-04-23 rating:
Edited,shortened version
It is one of my prize possesions and favourite films . No one has ever produced a better film about the life of Jesus than this. I have owned the original vhs edition for many years and watch it rarely only to preserve it from wear and tear. I have waited a long time for this to come to dvd and am horrified to find it has been shortened! The original was over six hours .This is only 270 minutes. It would have been less effort to have put the original film straight to disc than to have waisted so much time and money deciding which scenes to scrap. I have given five stars for the original. This edition is only worth having for a desperate backup until someone produces the real thing.


review by: eightieschick date: 2005-09-12 rating:
Makes me cry every time
I haven't seen this since I was a kid but all those memories of Easter weekends in my childhood came flooding back. The cast is superb, I agree with the comment in the synopsis about most of the cast looking semitic. The acting is excellent, Robert Powell hasn't done anything as good apart from "The 39 Steps" and marrying one of Pans People (we'll gracefully forget that 'comedy' he did with Jasper Carrott). The score is excellent, really pulls at the heart strings and Robert Powell portrays the dignity of Jesus Christ with such skill. I regularly had a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye and I'm not even religious.

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Video . DVD & VHS . Categories . Drama . Historical
Video . DVD & VHS . Categories . Documentary . All Documentaries
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Format (binding_browse-bin) . VHS
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . BBFC Rating (intended_use_browse-bin) . PG
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Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Release Date (feature_three_browse-bin) . 1970 - 1979
Video . DVD & VHS . Refinements . Language (theme_browse-bin) . English
Video . Video . Categories . Classic Films . Actors . Mason, James
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Video . Video . Categories . Drama . General
Video . Video . Categories . Television & Documentary . Drama
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