Jesus of Nazareth

Easter approaches, the focus of Christian life.  Many Christians watch Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" at this time of year, but at Casa Silverfiddle, we watch the late 1970's classic, Jesus of Nazareth.

It is an incredible move, if you can accept a blue-eyed Jesus.  Franco Zeffirelli did it to subtly make Jesus stand out, since the director controversially chose to emphasize the humanness of Our Lord.  The network almost refused to run it, despite the impressive cast of big name actors.

Michael York provides the performance of the movie as a very scary John the Baptist, preaching fire and brimstone like a raving mad man, and tenderly baptizing the repentant.  He should have won an Oscar, the way he so brought this most important man to life.

When he spies Jesus approaching as he is baptizing people, you see him express first an unselfish sadness that he must soon leave this world, followed immediately by a redemptive and inexpressible joy that the Messiah has arrived.  Beautiful.

I don't praise his performance lightly, because the cast is a star-studded who's who of all the big actors of that era.  Robert Powell's portrayal of Jesus is almost hypnotic as he tells parables and befriends those around him, including prostitutes and tax collectors.  James Farrentino is a burly, blustery Simon Peter, gruffly cursing his crew as they get the boats in.  In a crucial and tender moment at Matthew the tax collector's house, he drops his skepticism by tearfully confessing to Jesus, "I'm a stupid man."

Anthony Quinn as a tormented Caiaphas discussing Jesus with the Sanhedrin brings you right there, 2000 dusty years ago as they ponder and debate what it all means. Peter Ustinov is a deliciously decadent Herod, whose imperious and courtly mien descends into a purple murderous rage at the realization that the baby Messiah has escaped his grasp. These scenes bring the Bible stories to life in a way reading cannot, and I love reading and I love the Bible.

The masterpiece is a little over 6 hours long, but because it was originally a mini-series, it is easily broken up into smaller episodes. It is a great way to focus yourself and your children on the life of Jesus as you prepare for Easter. Watching it will also bring home just how controversial Our Lord's life on earth was, from the virgin birth, which caused quite a scandal, to the the zealots and ordinary Jews who saw in him an earthly savior who would lead them in driving the Romans from Jewish lands.

It is a reverent and beautiful treatment of the life of Jesus. I highly recommend it to you and your family.

For more information, I stumbled upon this website that links Bible passages to scenes of the movie.