MovieBuffMarine

Like "Leave it to Beaver" before it, this show showed the positive upbringing of children and the lessons they learned.

Unlike the LITB model which showed the complete nuclear family, this one depicted a bachelor Bill Davis (Brian Keith) raising his two nieces and one nephew after their parents pass away.

So in this show, it's not just the kids who are doing the learning, but the bachelor who has just become father figure.

We fell in love with Buffy, Jody and big sister Cissy as they got raised by Uncle Bill. Proper English Butler Giles French rounded off the cast and was very well received.

I see a lot of criticisms that this was "too" sugar and spice, sweet and "artificial." Hey, TV and big screen movies of the time were supposed to be escapism. This wasn't put on as a documentary, but a comedy that had messages.

Are we to criticize other genres (of the times) like SciFi's, actions, and westerns as "unrealistic?" I think not, so we shouldn't put "Family Affair" down as "too perfect" because it had just as much escapism as an Earth starship traveling light years away.

A good touch adapting Charles Dickens' own story about Christ as told to his children and including his family as this is how this depiction of the Savior is presented.

I have seen quite a few depictions of Christ and the vast majority are live action. This animated feature aimed mostly for the younger audience is not too serious, nor is it too watered down for the said young audience.

Christ's birth to his preaching at the synagogues at the age of twelve, to his ministry, to his passion and resurrection are captured real well for all ages to enjoy.

If you are a spiritual or religious person, you will feel the spirituality in this work.

While it doesn't include everything in the New Testament (then again, there hasn't been anything on film that has), this is an ideal film to introduce one to the Scriptures be it a young child or older.

What can I say? I grew up with this excellent NBC miniseries and I enjoyed it every time!

In adulthood, as my spirituality grew, I found that this wasn't just a dramatic presentation, but a very well made spiritual experience.

Sure, there are artistic liberties taken as in any historical pieces made for film, but the creators depicted the spiritual and Gospel aspects real well.

Robert Powell in the title role excellently portrayed the charismatic and influential aspects of the Savior.

It's a shame more depictions like this aren't made anymore. There have been some good ones since, but many go the overly dramatic side failing to capture the spiritual nature of Jesus Christ.

Would the world be a perfect place if more like this would be made? Hardly. But 1977's Jesus of Nazareth captured the Gospel and Scriptures well and possibly influenced many. That influence is needed more than ever these days.

Since miniseries are no longer a thing for network TV and the subject has seem to fall on the wayside in Hollywood, check it out on streaming or get the Blu-ray or DVD. It will not disappoint!