Jesus Of Nazareth

Classic, Drama

Robert Powell	Jesus Christ
Anne Bancroft	Mary Magdalene
James Mason	Joseph of Arimathea
Olivia Hussey	Virgin Mary
Peter Ustinov	Herod the Great
Christopher Plummer	Herod Antipas
Ian McShane	Judas
Laurence Olivier	Nicodemus
Rod Steiger	Pontius Pilate
Ralph Richardson	Simeon

Director

Franco Zeffirelli

Originally made for TV in 1977, this in-depth version of Jesus' life is so thorough that the first hour is devoted solely to the story of his birth. The film doesn't skimp on some of the other landmark events of this famous story either. Director Franco Zeffirelli gives ample screen time each to the Last Supper and the Crucifixion. Passages of the Bible are quoted verbatim, the locations have a Palestine-like authenticity, and, aside from some of the principals (Robert Powell as Jesus, Olivia Hussey as Mary, and Stacy Keach as Barabbas), many of the non-Roman characters are actually played by Semitic-looking actors. Zeffirelli diligently provides the socio-political background that gave rise to Jesus' following and the crisis in belief it caused for the people of Israel (and one or two Romans). --Kimberly Heinrichs, Amazon.com