From before the nativity to the Crucifixion and Resurrection, Jesus of Nazareth brings to life all the majesty and sweeping drama of the Gospels. Robert Powell plays Jesus and a star-studded international cast adds depth and humanity to the roles of the saints, sinners and ordinary people who walked in the footsteps of the Lord. The film shows the setting and background for the birth, childhood and many miracles of the Messiah, culminating in the Divine Resurrection. Directed by Oscar nominee Franco Zeffirelli and acclaimed by critics and religious leaders worldwide, Jesus of Nazareth tells the greatest of all stories with tremendous emotion and splendour.
Directed by
Franco Zeffirelli
Written by
Anthony Burgess (written by) & Suso Cecchi d'Amico (written by) & Franco Zeffirelli (written by) David Butler (additional dialogue).
Starring
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). Please contact SFC to add other cast members and characters.
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Arguably the Most Spiritually-nourishing Production Ever Made
Mark Banks (United Kingdom)
Opinion: Recommended
Of the films that are in my Top-100 at the moment that can primarily be classified under the 'religion' genre, Franco Zeffirelli's Jesus of Nazareth is arguably the most spiritual of them all. In fact if I'm going into a situation where I need to really be at peace with myself then this is one of only a few productions that I'd choose to watch beforehand. Much has been said of Robert Powell's performance as Jesus, which is indeed truly impressive, and had Jesus of Nazareth been a feature film there's little doubt Powell would have at least received an Oscar nomination for best leading actor. Olivia Hussey is also superb and highly reverent in her role as the Virgin Mary. I remember watching this series as a child throughout the weeks of lent; I believe it had a profound positive spiritual formation effect on me and I think it's a great shame that there has been nothing anywhere near the same quality and reverence in the past 30 years or so. This is one of the reasons it is so good that this production has dated little in that time. Highly recommended viewing for all the family.
