The Power of the Resurrection

"The Power of the Resurrection" is a 60 minute movie. It is not a great version of Jesus's resurrection. But there was some things that I did like about this movie. I can't believe that the first 10 people to vote on IMDb gave it an average of 2.7. I reckon after seeing Mel Gibson's version, one would find this production by Family Films rather weak. The DVD jacket says it's a 1962 release and IMDb says 1958, regardless, that's a generation ago. There was no earthquake at the cross and the Pentecost scene was lacking, but I did like seeing Peter throwing away his sword and the sealing of the tomb. The message that Jesus loves us so much that he died for our sins, is always great news no matter which version you watch.

This takes yet another viewpoint – with the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion being recounted to a Christian novice by Simon Peter (Richard Kiley) at the time of his own execution. An interesting idea here is that the Jewish High Priests – who also hate the Romans – decide to give Christ over to their enemies (with the aid of the equally misguided Judas) not because he has put himself up as God but, rather, due to the fact that they're disappointed by his preaching Peace And Love as opposed to brandishing a sword in order to vanquish the oppressors from their land! Here, of course, we also get to see a good deal of Christ himself – interacting with Simon Peter, Judas and the rest of the Apostles, and also a bit of the trial before Pilate when Peter denies knowledge of him in the palace courtyard. Before reverting to Peter's own fate, we're also treated to the re-affirmation of faith by the famously doubting Thomas as well as the remaining Apostles' new-found courage to go out into the streets and preach The Gospel after Pentecost.

As each Biblical film, The Power of Resurrection is very easy to criticized, ignoring, off course, its character, the period and message.

But, in essence, it is a correct version of Christ passion and the motif for judge the Savior of Great Priest Hannah is just a very interesting detail, like the frame of evocation of days before Crucifixion - the encouragement of young man in the cell by Saint Apostle Peter - .

The acting is far to be bad, the dialogue works in decent manner and the story is just fair crafted. And, not last, Richard. Killey propose a nice portrait of Peter, from the parent encouragement to the reaction to the spy of Sinedre and the vulnerability front the risk to be in danger , denying the relation with Jesus.

In short, just a correct work, with precise target and satisfied good intentions.

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

"The Power of the Resurrection" is told from the perspective of a now elderly Apostle Peter (played by Richard Kiley), who, while awaiting execution for his Christian faith, tells a young fellow prisoner about Jesus (Jon Shepodd).

Like in "I Beheld His Glory," this movie covers the life of Jesus beginning at his entry in Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. It includes the Last Supper and Jesus' betrayal. But, as the title implies, it places a lot of emphasis on the resurrection. About a third of the movie takes place after that event.

The movie presents some of Jesus' post-resurrection appearances, including Thomas' initially doubting the resurrection but becoming convinced of it upon touching Jesus' nail marks. In addition, it shows the sudden transformation of the apostles from despair to immense joy and public proclamation of the resurrection.

And the movie is a strong testament to the spiritual growth of Peter, who went from denying Jesus three times to being a Christian martyr who believed that he would have eternal life through his faith in the resurrected Jesus.

The big weakness of the movie is that it largely ignores the crucifixion. It goes far beyond the mere downplaying of that event's brutality that was done in "I Beheld His Glory." The crucifixion scene in "The Power of the Resurrection" shows part of the three crosses - all below the horizontal bar - and Jesus is never shown hanging on the cross. A few of his on-the-cross quotes are heard but He's not seen while speaking them. And this movie, like "I Behld His Glory," does not show the flogging of Jesus at all.

The technical quality of "The Power of the Resurrection" is very good for its day and its transfer to DVD is very good.

In conclusion, while this movie is marred by its almost complete lack of emphasis on the suffering that Jesus did for our sins, it still portrays some of the central Christian beliefs in a very moving way. And like I say in my review of "I Beheld His Glory," getting these two movies together for $1 is an outstanding value. I rate "The Power of the Resurrection" 7/10.