CLOSE TO JESUS (DVD) (4DISCS) DVD

Joseph of Nazareth
In keeping with its ongoing policy of dramatizing the lives of Biblical figures heretofore bypassed in "traditional" filmed biographies, America's PAX TV network served up a newly dubbed and re-edited version of the 1999 Italian TV movie Giuseppe di Nazareth. The focus is on Joseph (Tobias Moretti), the carpenter husband of the Virgin Mary (Stefania Rivi). Having already accepted the notion that his wife has given birth to the Son of God, Joseph continues to cope with events beyond his control as 11-year-old Jesus (Jurij Gasparini) becomes aware of His purpose in life. Joseph is also shown struggling to survive under the harsh administration of King Herod (Ennio Fantastichini), who of course is no friend to the Nazarenes. Under the title Joseph of Nazareth, the film made its PAX debut on April 29, 2001, just after the network's presentation of Jeremiah and not long before the telecast of Mary Magdalene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Mary Magdalene
Originally seen on Italian television in April of 2000, Mary Magdalene was one of several feature films produced and written by Gareth Jones and Gianmario Pagano which dramatized the lives of the Bible's supporting characters. Maria Grazia Cucinotta plays the title character, the reformed prostitute who became one of the most fervent and pious followers of Jesus Christ. The film recounts Mary Magdalene's conversion with help of John the Baptist, and her presence at the Crucifixion and the Resurrection (with forgivable doses of dramatic license). Advertised with the ever-so-slightly lurid tag line "She lived the greatest sin, the great love. And she kept the greatest secret," Mary Magdalene made its American TV debut over the PAX network on February 11, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast n/a

Crew Raffaele Mertes - Director Elisabetta Marchetti - Editor Marco Frisina - Composer (Music Score) Paolo Biagetti - Production Designer Giovanni Galasso - Cinematographer Luca Bernabei - Producer Loretta Bernabei - Producer Gianmario Pagano - Screen Story Gareth Jones - Screenwriter Raffaele Mertes - Director Elisabetta Marchetti - Editor Marco Frisina - Composer (Music Score) Paolo Biagetti - Production Designer Giovanni Galasso - Cinematographer Luca Bernabei - Producer Loretta Bernabei - Producer Gianmario Pagano - Screen Story Gareth Jones - Screenwriter

Joseph of Nazareth
(not reviewed)
 
Mary Magdalene
(not reviewed)
 

(no awards)

General Specifications: Language Options: English Subtitle Options: Sound Processing: 2: PCM stereo Additional Features: Full screen version 2.0 digital audio Interactive menus Closed captions Digitally mastered DVD Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1: Pre-1954 Standard MPAA Rating: NR DVD Discs Included: 4 DVD Sides: 4 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 375 min   DVD Chapters: Side #1 -- Mary Magdalene 1. Main Titles [3:40] 2. Court [1:37] 3. A Woman Scorned [6:27] 4. John the Baptist [5:25] 5. Kept [7:01] 6. Cast Away [4:59] 7. Mary and the Queen [6:53] 8. Threat of War [7:20] 9. Spreading Illness [6:39] 10. Insulting the Queen [3:38] 11. Mary and the General [6:47] 12. Message to Jesus [9:48] 13. Nabatea Attacks [4:18] 14. Dance of the Seven Veils [4:52] 15. Beheaded [4:15] 16. Mary's Revenge [5:03] 17. Stronger Than Death [7:50] 18. Epilogue/End Credits [3:07] Side #2 -- Joseph of Nazareth 1. Main Titles/Nazareth [9:54] 2. Romans Attack [9:02] 3. A Dying Wish [2:56] 4. Handmaid of the Lord [9:27] 5. Conspiracies [6:06] 6. Conception [11:03] 7. "The Lord Saves" [3:56] 8. The Road to Bethlehem [5:55] 9. No Room at the Inn [1:56] 10. A Saviour is Born [5:16] 11. Three Ambassadors [4:38] 12. Escape to Egypt [7:01] 13. A King's Madness [2:44] 14. Father and Son [2:14] 15. Return to Nazareth [5:34] 16. Jesus in the Temple [6:07] 17. Farewell [5:58] 18. End Credits [2:13] Side #3 -- Judas 1. Main Titles/Jerusalem [8:05] 2. Judas and Sarah [6:20] 3. Moneylenders in the Temple [8:49] 4. Pontius Pilate [6:46] 5. A Plot to Kill [1:56] 6. Family Reunion [5:45] 7. Assassins [7:22] 8. Collecting Hostages [6:29] 9. Doubting the Messiah [3:56] 10. Last Supper [1:31] 11. The Side of the Winner [4:30] 12. Betrayed [5:23] 13. Thirty Pieces of Silver [2:59] 14. Barabbas or Jesus [10:28] 15. King of the Jews [6:09] 16. The Sin of Pride [2:32] 17. Fate [4:58] 18. End Credits [2:53] Side #4 -- Thomas 1. Main Titles/After the Crucifixion [8:28] 2. Disciples Regroup [5:23] 3. An Excuse for Insurrection [4:59] 4. Joseph of Arimathea [6:37] 5. Seeing the Light [5:18] 6. Searching for Jesus [3:40] 7. Joseph Accused [2:17] 8. The Sighting [5:12] 9. Caius Tells a Tale [7:15] 10. Doubting Thomas [5:59] 11. Waiting for a Miracle [6:35] 12. Dreamers or Cowards [3:51] 13. At the Morgue [3:53] 14. A Roman's Fate [10:12] 15. Lost [6:17] 16. Found [4:31] 17. Faith Restored [2:34] 18. End Credits [3:04]