Jesus, a Maior História de Todos os Tempos

I saw the first part of this mini-series a few years back when it was on. My wife and I rented it a few weeks back because I remembered wanting to see the rest of it. What a wonderful movie! I have a Seminary Degree and am the pastor of the church and I have ordered a copy of the DVD to use with the Youth Group of the church I am serving. Finally, we see Jesus as he most likely was. He isn't the stiff character we have seen in other installments of the Gospel story. Those who call this movie blasphemy must not have read too many pages of the Gospel. Jesus was considered an undisciplined by many people including his mother (Matthew 12:46-50). Of course, we all know today that an undisciplined person would not have been able to bear the cross, not to mention sacrificing Himself for others.

Christ offers us new life, and this mini-series offers new life to a colorful, wonderful, and historical story about our Savior, Jesus Christ. Was there some creative license involved in this production? No doubt there was. But the basic story was the same. Christ was born, he lived and taught and healed. He faced execution for crimes He did not commit and He left the tomb three days later alive. That is the story we get here.

All of you critics of this mini-series relax. It could have been a whole lot worse.

Forget Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ". "Jesus", the television mini-series first aired in 1999, and reprised (the second half only) in March 2004, offers a more comprehensive view of Jesus' ministry, mission, death and resurrection. It provides a better understanding of the reason for His death -- not so much the result of political infighting between Romans and Jews, as Jesus' acceptance of His Father's will that humanity should be redeemed by one deed, one life of perfect obedience and love.

Sure, there are some historical improbabilities in the mini-series. For one thing, Pilate (Gary Oldman) and Herod are shown as being on good terms with each other. The Gospels tell us they did not become friends until the day Jesus died. The calling of the apostles looks amusingly as if Jesus is choosing up sides for a game of scrub, followed by a group hug.

But the crucifixion scene is accurate in its detail, yet not as excruciating (I use the term deliberately because it is derived from the Latin noun "crux" or cross) as Gibson's gorefest.

There are also some other very nice touches. Chief among them is Jesus' temptation by Satan, played by Jeroen Krabbe, attired as a 21st-century corporate executive. Satan tries to convince Jesus (Jeremy Sisto) that His sacrifice will be in vain because humanity will use religion to perpetrate acts of hatred such as the Crusades. He suggests that, with a wave of His hand, Jesus can make humans and life on earth perfect. But that would mean denying people freedom of choice. Jesus resists the temptation, believing in the power of love freely chosen.

Debra Messing ("Will and Grace") turns in a very creditable performance as Mary Magdalene. So does Jacqueline Bisset as Mary, the mother of Jesus. The raising of Lazarus is a very powerful scene, and Jesus' own resurrection goes beyond the empty tomb to its effect on the apostles -- something Gibson fails to show.

"Jesus", the TV miniseries, succeeds where Gibson's movie fails -- by showing less passion, and more compassion.

After so many versions, he iwas the main motif to see this serie. With the good believe than he deserves this role. And he will do a good job. And, not surprising, he does . His portrait of the Savior is moving, in spring colors crafted. Almost a a teenager in his smile, dance , answers. Human in profound sense, defined by smile and tone of words and simplicity of gestures. Ad, not less, by well crafted innocence air.

In same measure, serious reserves about innovations, from the relation with Mary , sister of Lazarus to the final temptation of Satan. A religious film , but not for its theme. For emotion guiding you scene by scene.

I recently rented this version of the story of Jesus and find myself impressed with its message. This vision of Jesus focuses on his humanity and mission, rather than on his divinity. Jeremy Sisto captures a happy Jesus with the weight of salvation on his shoulders. Jacqueline Bisset and Debra Messing find a solid voice as two of the most important women in the story of Jesus. I believe the movie gives a unique and balanced viewpoint of Jesus, different from the too-divine vision of "The Greatest Story Ever Told" and the too-human vision of "The Last Temptation of Christ" and without the gore of "The Passion." Christians and fans of historical cinema would enjoy this movie, its message, and its style.

I enjoyed this film immensely I loved Jesus of Nazareth too, but this Jesus laughs,cries, but most importantly.....HE BLINKS HIS EYES!!!!! Seeing G.W. Bailey as Livio it kept reminding me of the "Police Academy" movies. Gary Oldman's Pilate, was very accurate to the description by Josephus, of Pilate's cruelty. I'm probably going to be offending a lot of catholics here, but the storyline was way too Catholicized for my taste. The baptism for example, John the Baptizer puts a cupped handful of water while Jesus is kneeling in the Jordan "Puddle" on Jesus' head the Greek word for baptize is BAPTIZO which means to IMMERSE in the crucifixion scene it looks like a Jew is doing the nailing, The Romans were the ones who did the nailing. and why could they not use the entire Greek Latin and Hebrew on the Title instead of just INRI?? Jaqueline Bisset I believe is too much of a sex symbol to play the Virgin Mary.