Since Thomas Edison’s invention of modern cinema, countless filmmakers have striven to produce a moving image that accurately chronicles the life and times of Jesus of Nazareth. Apart from Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ, which narrates only a part of the life and crucifixion of Jesus, Franco Zeffirelli’s Jesus of Nazareth is the greatest of all. Originally broadcast as a television miniseries (it’s over six hours long), the film sticks closely to the word-for-word accounts found in the Gospels.
The story begins with the reception of God’s angels by Joseph (Yorgo Voyagis) and Mary (Olivia Hussey). Each one is told of the child that Mary will give birth to and what its name will be. The scene where Mary receives her message is an especially powerful piece of cinematic art with no dialogue, just a warm light surrounding Mary as she bows in prayer. The film stays true to all the statements in the Gospels, recounting the census, Herod’s decree, and the journeys of Joseph and Mary.
As Jesus (Robert Powell) grows into adulthood, we witness the beginning of his ministry. He calls his disciples, teaches through the use of parables, and shows many miracles. Zeffirelli makes powerful use of the camera by ensuring that his star, Powell, is never caught blinking in any scene. At first, it’s barely noticeable, and it takes some time to realize what’s so different. But this absence of the uniformly common trait of blinking creates a divine aura around the character of Jesus. He draws the audience in by creating an emotional sense of peace that lends credibility to the on-screen portrayal of Jesus.
From start to finish, Jesus of Nazareth offers a plethora of memorable scenes and exchanges that are more attributable to the Gospels and the real life of Jesus than to brilliant directing and acting ability. But the subject is successfully handled by a great production team and countless top-tier actors and actresses, including – Mary Magdalene (Anne Bancroft), the Centurion (Ernest Borgnine), Simon Peter (James Farentino), Balthazar (James Earl Jones), Joseph of Arimathea (James Mason), Nicodemus (Laurence Olivier), Caiaphas (Anthony Quinn), and many others… Overall, the individual performances come together to form a rich tapestry of wisdom and intrigue that leaves your Hearing a lot to ponder and reflect on.
If you believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah (which this author believes), then Jesus of Nazareth serves as a form of meditation and renewal of one’s spiritual connection with God. But if you don’t see Jesus this way, no other movie will leave you as awestruck by the profound influence enacted by a humble man from the sandals clan from a province on the outskirts of mighty Rome, an influence he has utterly taken over. the world from almost two thousand years ago to the present day.
For spiritual, philosophical and cinematographic reasons, Jesus of Nazareth is definitely an unmissable movie for all time…