JESUS OF NAZARETH (DVD) (2DISC SET) DVD

Jesus of Nazareth
Because director Franco Zeffirelli noted publicly that he intended to depict Jesus Christ as a human being rather than a religious icon, his expensive made-for-TV miniseries Jesus of Nazareth fell victim to protestors long before its April 3, 1977, debut. Despite the pullout of several sponsors, Jesus of Nazareth was aired as scheduled, sweeping the ratings in the process. In avoiding the usual overproduced Hollywood approach to the Gospels, Zeffirelli offers one of the most sensitive and reverent portrayals of Jesus ever seen on film. In the title role, Robert Powell heads a huge international cast, which includes Olivia Hussey as Mary, Peter Ustinov as Herod the Great, Christopher Plummer as Herod Antipas, Michael York as John the Baptist, James Farentino as Simon Peter, Donald Pleasence as Melchior, James Earl Jones as Balthazar, Ian McShane as Judas, Anne Bancroft as Mary Magdalene, Rod Steiger as Pontius Pilate, James Mason as Joseph of Arimathea, Anthony Quinn as Caiaphas, Laurence Olivier as Nicodemus, Ernest Borgnine as the Centurion, and Claudia Cardinale as the Adulteress. Filmed in England, Tunisia, and Morocco, Jesus of Nazareth was scripted by Zeffirelli, Anthony Burgess, and Suso Cecchi D'Amico. It originally aired in two three-hour segments, telecast Palm and Easter Sunday of 1977 as part of NBC's Big Event anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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

Crew Enrico Sabbatini - Costume Designer Franco Zeffirelli - Director Maurice Jarre - Composer (Music Score) Armando Nannuzzi - Cinematographer David Watkin - Cinematographer Vincenzo Labella - Producer Suso Cecchi D'Amico - Screenwriter Franco Zeffirelli - Screenwriter Anthony Burgess - Screenwriter

Jesus of Nazareth
(not reviewed)
 

(no awards)

General Specifications: Language Options: English Subtitle Options: English Sound Processing: DS: Dolby Surround (4.0) Additional Features: Full-screen version 2.0 Dolby Surround Digitally mastered Interactive menus Scene access Trailer Cast & crew information "Living in Biblical Times" information DVD Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1: Pre-1954 Standard MPAA Rating: NR DVD Discs Included: 2 DVD Sides: 2 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 382 min   DVD Chapters: Side #1 -- Disc 1 1. Jesus of Nazareth [2:18] 2. Sermon [2:35] 3. The Marriage Contract [2:18] 4. Betrothal to Each Other [1:52] 5. Message From God [4:01] 6. King Herod [2:29] 7. Blessed Mary [3:04] 8. A Special Child [3:08] 9. Joseph's Dilemma [4:02] 10. Nightmares [1:26] 11. Wedding Day [3:16] 12. Discussion of a Census [2:31] 13. Fulfilling the Prophecy [2:58] 14. Travelling to Bethlehem [2:29] 15. Three Kings [4:19] 16. No Room at the Inn [3:44] 17. A Child Is Born [3:02] 18. The Shepherds Come [2:35] 19. News of the Birth [1:55] 20. A Seal in the Flesh [3:43] 21. Gifts From the Wise Men [6:24] 22. Slaughter of the Innocent [3:06] 23. A Home in Nazareth [3:02] 24. Gifts From God [2:24] 25. Roman Soldiers [4:51] 26. Pilgrimage to Jerusalem [3:31] 27. An Unholy Marriage [5:19] 28. John the Baptist [3:02] 29. Not the Messiah [5:20] 30. Returning to God [3:00] 31. The Messiah [5:01] 32. The Scriptures Are Fulfilled [4:19] 33. The First Followers [2:30] 34. Driving Out Satan [5:07] 35. Fishermen [6:23] 36. Reading the Signs [3:55] 37. The Tax Collector [4:39] 38. The Home of a Sinner [4:08] 39. A Story of Brothers [7:13] 40. Unfairly Imprisoned [6:27] 41. A Difficult Decision [2:19] 42. Healing the Child [5:03] 43. Doubting Thomas [2:17] 44. Start of a New Life [2:19] 45. The Princess's Dance [7:25] 46. The Head of the Baptist [1:54] 47. Burying John [4:39] 48. Mary Magdalene [4:11] 49. Entering the Kingdom of Heaven [5:59] 50. The Scholar Judas [3:05] Side #2 -- Disc 2 1. Endless Fish and Bread [5:56] 2. Plans of Revolt [4:18] 3. A Tainted Woman [6:09] 4. Blessed Among Women [3:00] 5. Assassination Attempt [3:46] 6. Peter Has Spoken the Truth [5:10] 7. The Lord's Prayer [3:28] 8. The Holy City [5:33] 9. Raising Lazarus From the Dead [6:22] 10. "Proclaim Jesus King of Judea" [4:41] 11. Palm Sunday [7:18] 12. Services at the Temple [3:40] 13. Religious Zealots [4:54] 14. Out of the Mouths of Babes [3:29] 15. "Seek and Ye Shall Find" [2:27] 16. Adulteress [3:10] 17. Friend to the Romans [3:11] 18. The Blind Man Can See [5:07] 19. The High Priests [6:44] 20. Warning [3:19] 21. The Temple Elders [9:57] 22. Judas' Decision [3:25] 23. Passover [5:29] 24. The First Communion [6:08] 25. The Betrayal [4:43] 26. An Invaluable Help [2:33] 27. The Son of God [6:00] 28. Three Denials [2:45] 29. Pontius Pilate [4:48] 30. Trial [5:46] 31. Mockery of a King [6:01] 32. The People Shall Decide [5:46] 33. The Crucifixion [5:24] 34. Two Thieves [2:13] 35. A Mother's Sorrow [7:49] 36. End of Suffering [3:00] 37. An Empty Tomb [5:03] 38. He Has Risen [5:31] 39. A Question Among Disciples [3:09] 40. Appearing to the Disciples [3:18] 41. End Credits [2:17]