The Martyr of Calvary

The Martyr of Calvary is a refreshing contrast to many Hollywood versions of the life of Christ. It is faithful to the gospels and doesn't wimp out on depicting Jesus' miracles or his resurrection. The pacing and acting are good. Even though I don't speak much Spanish, I could follow the story, pick out which disciple was which, and figure out what was being said on screen. Enrique Rambal makes a decent Jesus, although his Fifties flat top hairstyle can be a bit distracting at first. I picked up this one at my local library not knowing what to expect, especially from a foreign language film, and was pleasantly surprised.

The first temptation about it is to be ironic or hard critic or to see it only as one of many films about the Savior. But, scene by scene, you discover an inspired, almost fascinating film. Enrique Rambal is not exactly the Saviour who you are so familiar from the Hollywood films, but this is a great virtue. The atmosphere is warm and delicate and touching. The courage to use episodes from Gospels ignored by many other versions - the woman from Samaria near the Jacob's fountain as example - are beautiful crafted . The inovations - Mother of God as Romano- Catholic nun or the Turkish clothes - are wise used. The Christ is not the Revolutionary or the Noble Victim. "El martir del Calvario " has the precious gift to give a fair and wise and so close version of thestory of Jesus Christ and, after its end, you discover a modern , for many reasons, film , provocative in special sense, noble in inspired, profound inspired manner.