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With Franco Zeffirelli's 1977 made for television masterpiece and Anthony Burgess' screenplay, religious film simply does not get any better than this. Much as I admire Mel Gibson's monumental depiction of the last 12 hours of Jesus' life in "The Passion of the Christ", I still believe that the yardstick by which all 'passion play' genre films will be judged in future generations will be "Jesus of Nazareth".

After completing "Brother Son, Sister Moon", Zeffirelli turned (the Jewish) Sir Lew Grade down flat for this project, stubbornly refusing to engage on the project for a year and a half. As his other stage and screen projects turned to dust, however, he finally accepted the task. What finally convinced him was his conviction that the film could be compassionate towards the Jews, and thus could help undo some of the past hatred for which Christianity was renowned.

Burgess and Zeffirelli was a match made in heaven: Burgess turned in a script that took great liberties with the sacred text. Zeffirelli was uneasy with his liberalism, and sought to bring the script back to a more faithful rendition; yet Burgess' awesomely effective dramatic structure remains. Interestingly, Ingmar Bergman had already been asked to turn in a treatment, apparently before Zeffirelli was ever approached. However, the Roman Catholics who had been the original driving force for the project strongly objected to Bergman's idea of a series of mini lives of Jesus, as seen from the viewpoint of different characters.

Bergman was dismissive of the final Zeffirelli project, and it is certain that it would have been an entirely different film had he been asked to direct. While there is much to respect about Bergman, he would have been totally incapable of producing the beauty, purity and meaning in the hidden text that is so apparent in the final film.

Less than seven years later, Zeffirelli estimated that 750,000 people had seen the film. I saw the original transmission on American television in 1977, (it was aired nationwide at least twice in two years), and I also have an original and ageing VHS (PAL) copy. I plan a London revival of the series during Lent 2007, to mark the film's 30th anniversary. Back in 1977, it was the talk of the nation - in St. Louis, I heard of one lady who was instantly healed of cancer as she watched the crucifixion scene.

Interestingly, the resurrection scene nearly never got filmed. In fact, what we do see on screen is simply screen test material rescued from the editing bin at the final hour! The information above is documented in Franco Zeffirelli book, "Jesus: a Spiritual Diary" (1984: NY. Harper & Row) and Ingmar Bergman's "The Magic Lantern" (1988: London: Hamish Hamilton). However, there is no substitute for watching this masterpiece: in a word, it's awesome!

It has been 27 years since this TV mini-series aired. I watch it around Easter time every year. Robert Powell has played the best Jesus to date. Can you imagine how more awesome "The Passion" would have been if Powell played the part again. This movie was very believable.Does anyone know whatever became of Robert Powell? The other cast members played their parts well. I also noticed the good messages that were given that if more people watched it that they would get a better understanding of what God wants us to do. As a Roman Catholic I found this movie to be worth other Catholics to see. It also enhanced my faith since the first time I saw it at 13 years old.

I have seen Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" with other members of my church, and came away recommending that they now see "Jesus of Nazareth". It is truly my favorite movie. I first saw it when I was 14 years old, and remember being so completely moved by the whole experience. The difference between these two movies is that you have to rely on your knowledge of the bible for "The Passion". Jesus of Nazareth allows you to truly become emotionally attached to the actual person of Jesus. I insist that my two teenage children and husband watch it with me every Easter. We are always moved to tears by the end. I am always disappointed that the networks choose to show "The Ten Commandments" every Easter, and not "Jesus of Nazareth". Isn't the story of Jesus the reason for the season of Easter?

"Jesus of Nazareth" is by far the most detailed movie on the life of Christ. I remember when it first aired on TV back in April of 1977. That was the week of my wedding and I remember watching it with my new bride on our honeymoon. Because of it's length and as a mini series it was able to cover most all the events in Jesus's life. There are many scenes and which I would say are some of my favorites but by far the best scene in the whole movie is when Earnest Borgnine, playing a Roman Centurian, approaches Jesus with a request that he heal a servant of his. A servant he loves as a son. Jesus says he will go to his home. The Centurian says that it won't be necessary since Jesus is a Jew and can't come into a Gentiles home. All Jesus has to do is give the word and he knows that Jesus would heal his servant. Jesus says that he has found no greater faith in all Israel than that of this Centurian. Although there were some artistic interpretations in the movie, they are so very few it isn't worth mentioning. I have seen the "Passion of the Christ" and I feel it is a very powerful movie on the last week of Christ, but it is so intense. I have to give "Jesus of Nazareth" the highest rating possible

There are, literally, no words to describe this. A depiction of life of Jesus Christ that touches your soul in every imaginable way.

The cast is so brilliant that you forget that you are seeing a TV mini series. Robert Powell is like he was destined to play the part of the son of God.

The direction of Franco Zeffirelli leaves you with awe. The music of Maurice Jarre is majestic and fills you with emotions. The script...well...the script it was written by God through the apostles.

This is on TV every year, and every year people sit and watch it again for the nth time! A masterpiece.