Ponce Pilate

This film takes an unusual perspective on events surrounding the Passion of Jesus Christ by focusing on Pontius Pilate, the man who condemned Him to death. The ambitious Pilate, a Roman citizen from the province of Hispania was promoted to be the Procurator of Judaea, which turned out to be the most troublesome and intractable of Rome's provinces. He immediately sets his foot wrong by setting up the eagles of Rome, as was customary, in the most prominent place, the courtyard of the Jewish temple. When riots ensue, Pilate backs down, but he's in for a bumpy ride. To put the fractious mobs to work, Pilate has an acquaduct built to show Rome's benevolence by ensuring a potable water supply to the masses. But here again, instead of being grateful the people rebel because the course of the acquaduct transgresses one of their nonsensical tribal laws; it traverses over a burial ground! Pilate fails to placate them, zealots attempt to assassinate him, nothing goes right accept the safe arrival of his wife and son. Eventually, the Sanhedrin turns over a "blasphemer" for Roman dispensation of justice. By this time Pilate senses a trap, sees no wrong in the Man, and gives the mob a choice. They choose that Christ be executed. Pilate's wife, Claudia Procula, warns him not to crucify Christ as she saw violent repercussions in a dream, but he has to keep his given word. So he makes the biggest mistake of all time...and the results are tragic. Altogether a very interesting film which depicts more details of the enigmatic administrator's life than we are accustomed to seeing.

Best-known for a string of Bette Davis tear-jerkers, director Rapper had previously overseen another Italian Biblical epic, Joseph AND HIS BRETHREN (1960), but he would subsequently direct just two more movies in Hollywood.

Despite a general air of overfamiliarity to the proceedings, the film is quite watchable as it unveils – and only falls apart in its last third, when the Jesus trials take center-stage. This is because the figure of Jesus had only been mentioned fleetingly before (even by the Pharisees) and suddenly the whole of Judea turns against him for no apparent reason (other than, it seems, because that's what did happen according to the Bible)! In fact, before this unconvincing about-face, the figure of High Priest Caiaphas (Basil Rathbone) was a sympathetic one fighting with dignity for the plight of his oppressed people. Another uncharacteristic event is the fact that, according to this version, it is Judas (John Drew Barrymore) who convinces the Pharisees that Jesus is dangerous, and it is they alone who capture him at Gethsemane!!

Whatever the flaws in the many-handed script (seven writers in total!), they are redeemed by competent production values and a good cast: Jean Marais (rather stiff in the title role), Jeanne Crain (as Pilate's wife), Leticia Roman (a Judean girl Pilate falls for), Roger Treville (as Roman's powerful merchant father), Massimo Serato (as Nicodemus), Riccardo Garrone (as Pilate's faithful lieutenant), Gianni Garko (as one of a bald-headed[!] Barabbas' rebels) and Raffaella Carra' (as Garko's girl); according to the IMDb, Paul Muller and Dante Di Paolo also appear but, personally, I didn't recognize them! Interestingly enough, the events unfold in flashback at Pilate's own trial before an uncredited Emperor Caligula...with the former using the same silent tactics (and, subsequently, the famous words) as Christ himself did before him!!

After looking for this film for decades I find it and sad to say for me is not dubbed and my Italian is non-existent. Fortunately this is certainly a story quite well known and I could follow it in any event.

Playing the title role of Pontius Pilate is French screen legend Jean Marais and his wife is played by American expatriate Jeanne Crain. The story is told in flashback as Pilate is before the Emperor and the Roman Senate giving an account of that most troublesome of provinces Judea which they can't quite get a hold on.

Such as it seemed the plot followed along the same path of King Of Kings which starred Jeffrey Hunter the year before. Of course told from the occupying Roman point of view. Marais having been joined by Crain and their two kids has wife and kids somewhat taken with the preachings of that carpenter turned rabbi from Nazareth.

No need go into the rest, it can be found in the New Testament in four different versions. Basil Rathbone who was born in Johannesburg, South Africa plays Caiaphas and I really missed hearing that one of a kind voice as he is dubbed in Italian. John Drew Barrymore plays both Jesus and is one bug eyed Judas.

Hopefully we Americans will get an English dubbed version to watch soon.

Interesting movie showing Pontius Pilate's reasons for the execution of Jesus. Like a modern policemen he has files on all local trouble-makers, such as the disciples. He wants Jesus convicted so that he can be spared at the Passover instead of the terrorist Barabbas. To this end he tricks Judas into betraying Jesus to the Pharisees so he can prove he is the Messiah. As Pilate anticipates he is condemned, and Judas, to his horror, is paid the appropriate 30 pieces of silver, the sum given to the man who betrays the Messiah. The crowd, however, choose to save Barabbas, not Jesus, and Judas hangs himself in remorse.

Many reasons to see it, from the interesting - in few points provocative perspective- about the Savior , to an image too idealistic of Pontius Pilate, from Jean Marais decent job to the old recipe of genre, well used. A portrait of Pilate , romantic, off course, far by historical proofs, not doubts but far to be boring or only expression of good intentions. Good performances, nice details for create the atmosphere and seductive try to give the familiar story from different perspective , using the image of good leader in an world remaining far by him against his effort to help it. So, just decent.