Gibson plunges us into this nightmare with startling accuracy and often gruesome authenticity. We can read about what Christ went through on his way to be crucified, but we cannot imagine it, not really. The film sears its way into your mind, never to be forgotten, never to be thought of in quite the same way again. Mel Gibson’s raging, furious study of the last twelve hours of Christ is a staggering film of overwhelming force and power. Read More: Movies Like The Princess Bride 1. It was one of the most intensely personal moments of faith I have ever had and among the boldest depictions of Christ ever created. It was a Christ we could understand, and accept, his crucifixion becoming all the more horrific. Martin Scorsese directed this superb film, that for the first time presents Jesus as flesh and blood, a man before anything else. When offered the chance to come off the cross and finish his life as a man, he does, and he marries and fathers children, but then realizes he is being tempted by Satan, and returns to fulfill his destiny. You would be afraid, don’t you think? Jesus, beautifully portrayed by William Dafoe, is at the beginning of this film, questioning and terrified, growing into a leader over the course of the film. Imagine you are young Jesus, late twenties and you begin to hear voices telling you that you are the son of a God, the Messiah and your destiny is to spread God’s word and be crucified by the Romans. It might be too reverential for some, it is for me, but its beauty and the sheer ambition cannot be denied.
The film is startling in its beauty, resembling the great paintings of the masters, and superbly acted by the entire cast, though Powell and Michael York as John the Baptist are stand outs. Best known as the father in the rock opera ‘Tommy’ (1975), Powell soared as Jesus, both gentle and powerful, an intensely remarkable presence.
At its center is relatively unknown British actor Robert Powell as Jesus. Jesus of Nazareth (1978)Ī mini-series for network television, directed by Franco Zefferelli, this handsome film unfolded over three nights, beautifully shot with an all star cast. The cast of unknowns lends to the authenticity as we are not watching established actors in the roles. That is not always a good thing, but it does allow the film to feel real. Neo-realistic, meaning every attempt was made for authenticity, the film feels spiky, as real as the unforgiving landscape surrounding the characters, and most of the screenplay was derived directly from the Bible. This Pasolini film has long been declared a masterpiece, and its edgy, spiky, new realism continues to make it one of the finest films made about Jesus. Jewison allows the lyrics to carry the film, filling it with modern images that show how relevant the story still might be. “God thy will is hard, but you hold every card, I will drink your cup of poison, nail me to your cross” and he sings it with such anger, fear, even regret, it is remarkably powerful. Ted Neely is excellent as Jesus, his best moments coming in the garden the night of his betrayal. An electrifying experience, the film thrusts us into a play being staged in the desert of the Middle East, the play being the story of Christ set to the rock music of the play. This rock opera, directed with bold originality by Norman Jewison, is based on the stage play that took North America by storm after opening on Broadway. The best films about Christ are the ones in which he is portrayed as as a man. The history of the time confirms he existed, but he was just a man, a remarkable man, but flesh and blood like you and I. He speaks gently, moves purposefully, at peace with who he is. As Martin Scorsese wisely observed, so many films about Christ portray him as Demille did, that is the gentle, beautific man, a glow about him, serene, other worldly, with a halo and light surrounding his face.
0 kommentar(er)
