Posted on 03/01/2014 2:33:35 PM PST by stars & stripes forever
Last year the History Channel featured the epic television event, “The Bible Series,” which was produced by Roma Downey and her husband Mark Burnett. This show captivated audiences and became the talk of many churches. Churches even purchased pre-written sermons to go along with the show, which according to outreach.com made it into 180,000 churches.
Roma and Mark were endlessly interviewed in Christian magazines, and on Christian radio. All along saying that they were sold out Christians and believers filled with the Holy Spirit.
And the churches bought it. They promoted it...
(Excerpt) Read more at thelasthiker.wordpress.com ...
Jesus of Nazareth
http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Nazareth-Robert-Powell/dp/B0000633QW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393713360&sr=8-1&keywords=jesus+nazareth
After having to watch 30 minutes of trash in previews of coming attractions (those contained more damaging images than any so called violence in this movie),I saw Son of God on Friday and it was definitely lacking in reaching the masses with the salvation message (the real reason for Christ coming to earth). I agree that the depiction of the Lazarus scene was weak at best. Scriptures were left unfinished that would have given the viewing audience how to be saved. As much as most Christians wanted this to be THE MOVIE THAT WOULD CATCH THE WORLD BY STORM OF JESUS DYING TO SAVE US FROM OURSELVES (OUR SINS) this movie falls short. There have been other low budget films that have done far better. This is a Hollywood and unfortunately Christian networks hype.
No unsaved person except those under conviction can walk away from the film with how to be saved from eternal damnation. It just isn’t there. I hope if anyone took a friend, afterwards there was much discussion and filling in the blanks of the obvious missing dialogue of the movie.
Just saw the Son of God. My observations:
1. If you watched The Bible mini-series you’ve already watched 9/10s of the movie. They took the exact same footage of Jesus in the mini-series and used it in the movie.
2. I didn’t know that there were plastic surgeons back in the day. Roma Downey just doesn’t look right in the role.
3. I didn’t know John the Baptist wore dreadlocks.
4. I didn’t know that the man who helped Jesus carry his cross was black. He could have ben but I think this was clearly a PC move and a semantic statement.
5. You won’t see anything about the youth of Jesus.
6. Satan doesn’t appear in this movie. I’m sure it had nothing to do eith him resembling Barack Obama in the mini-series.../s
ahaha THANK YOU!
hype is selling better than ever
Maybe she is still a work in progress.
Only God knows a person’s heart but...
2.Matthew 7:21
[ True and False Disciples ] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
“The Passion of the Christ” was marketed well and so racked up a lot of profit. But in my opinion it was “awful”.
I just looked at the trailer for “The Son of God” and it also looks awful. It attempts to portray Jesus by yet another “Hollywood Cool” standard, not with the script but with the attitude and spirit of the speech. It’s just awful. But unfortunately it will likely be profitable because of its marketing and because people hunger to know about Jesus.
People always hunger for a glimpse of what the real Jesus is like. So many films and documentaries have been done in the recent age. And they are all, every one, awful, except for one that was not marketed globally because it was a miniseries (I give view-for-free links on Vimeo.com below; no popups, no annoying registrations, etc.).
This exceptional miniseries is one depiction of the life of Christ where nearly every scene, every word, look, glance, effect seems to be divinely assisted. It is a miniseries directed by Franco Zefferelli who obviously put his life and soul into it. It was released in 1977 and is timeless to this day. It was followed and advised by the Roman Catholic Church. Whatever sect of Christianity thinks about the Catholic Church, one thing is clear, some of their scholars have an abiding and faithful view of the real Jesus.
“Jesus of Nazareth” was a British-Italian miniseries released in 1977 in many many parts, more than 7 hours in length. This explains why it never amassed the profits of Gibson’s ‘Passion’ or the likely profits of the one coming. But it’s available and I suggest you all and your families gather on some day off for the entire day or two half-days to witness a gift given to us by Zeffirelli and all the cast and supporters of this film.
The cast is a virtual Who’s Who of Hollywood and International film stars but their egos are missing, their ‘personal brand’ attributes are nowhere to be found. It’s as if Zeffirelli’s camera and his crew hypnotized them or mesmerized them into the spirit of Jesus.
The star-studded cast do such as awesome acting performance, and I would say the big named ones (and there are so many) were not paid highly for this, certainly not according to what they could command from a Hollywood film studio. Therefore, this was a labor of love.
The best actor is one who can make you feel you’re transported to another reality where you forget you are watching a film. All of the actors in this film make sensitive people feel that way. For example Anne Bancroft of “The Graduate” plays so well as the consummate New York Jewess in so many films but in Zeffirelli’s work she is the perfect Mary Magdalene, the predatory promiscuity of Mrs. Robinson is converted before our eyes and ears into a woman who is clean, pure, forever transformed and it makes sense; it’s real. It’s nothing like the classical paintings of Mary Magdalene depicting her as something of an angel. No, this film depicts her as a miserable gutter whore in agony who weeps for something better in life and finally hears of Jesus from one of her ‘clients’ who demeans her status, laughs at her sin but smirks that she may have a friend in the new sensation of the territory who accepts sinners, Jesus.
And then there is Mary played by Olivia Hussey who had previously starred in the film ‘Romeo and Juliette’ which was also directed by Franco Zeffirelli. Gone is the sexiness, the tempting voluptuousness of Olivia’s curves, lips, and overall screen presence, and although these attributes of young Olivia are still present, what supersedes them is a beauty of purity and cleanliness.
The big name actors and actresses are as follows:
Anne Bancroft as Mary Magdalene
Ernest Borgnine as the Roman Centurion
Claudia Cardinale as the Adulteress
James Earl Jones as Balthazar
Stacy Keach as Barabbas
Tony Lo Bianco as Quintillius
James Mason as Joseph of Arimathea
Laurence Olivier as Nicodemus
Donald Pleasence as Melchior
Christopher Plummer as Herod Antipas
Anthony Quinn as Caiaphas
Ralph Richardson as Simeon
Rod Steiger as Pontius Pilate
Peter Ustinov as Herod the Great
Michael York as John the Baptist
Again, these Oscar winning actors and their expected branded personas are absent from the film and do not compete for attention. Their expected screen appearances are replaced by raw but subdued talent that appears under the spell of a divine presence.
Some of the actors lesser known at the time of the film made even more lasting impressions with their performances.
Robert Powell who plays Jesus has blue eyes perhaps unfortunately but that is the only detail in the film that might seem out of place but does not detract. His appearance and manner is inspirational. His pace and look can make one feel they have found the true spirit of Christ. He is an English aristocrat in life and his personality is not bad nor is it wonderful, but in this film it seems that Zeffirelli’s camera possesses him to be so Christ-like, something so much more than what he is like in real life.
But my favorite lesser known actor for that time and my favorite of the whole film is James Farentino as Simon Peter, a strong aggressive but terribly flawed man who wants to lash out at everyone in anger and who is initially disrespectful of Jesus but later folds like a small child in front of Him. He is simply magnificent in this film.
Again, all of the cast could not be so incredibly spiritual were it not for some direction or mood setting which I ascribe to Zeffirelli and a mystical divine presence.
Now I will comment on how the film treats the Jews. The film treats them perfectly, as a holy, loving and respectful people who are flawed just as is the rest of humanity. They set an exemplary example in the characters of Joseph of Arimathea (James Mason) and Nicodemus (Laurence Olivier), and they can also frustrate both Jews and non-Jews to the point of disgust as in the characters of Caiaphas (Anthony Quinn), Zerah (Ian Holm; non-biblical scribe of the Temple), and many of the Pharisees. But if you are new to the person of Jesus and are interested in learning about Him, then you will come to know especially through this film that the Jews acted exactly as Jesus wanted them to. In short, the Jews are all too human.
The film is available for free on Vimeo in 2 parts. The quality is bearable. Here are the links:
Part I
http://vimeo.com/23374158
Part II
http://vimeo.com/23405442
A better quality version is available for purchase on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Nazareth-Robert-Powell/dp/B0000633QW
If you don’t want to support Bezo’s Amazon company you can find an even higher quality digitally remastered version for sale here:
http://www.manna.co.nz/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10156314
Zeffirelli’s ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ is an ageless masterpiece.
If you have any sensitivities to God and you thirst to know what God is like in the person of Jesus, invest your time in seeing this film. I have personally watched it over the last more than 30 years about 5 times and each time I learn something new that pertains to my life as I grow older.
And it’s not just me. Look at these Amazon comments from decades ago:
“After more than two decades, JESUS OF NAZARETH remains the greatest motion picture on the life of Jesus Christ -unsurpassed and second-to-none. Beautifully directed by Franco Zeffirelli (best known for his 1968 version of Romeo and Juliet) and featuring a constellation of the greatest international actors: Sir Lawrence Olivier, Rod Steiger, Anne Bancroft, Ernest Borgnine, James Earl Jones, Anthony Quinn (among others, oh my!), this six-hour magnum opus has given flesh and humanity to the people and events of the Gospel narratives like no other movie before or since.”
And here’s another:
“The greatest version of the greatest story ever told”
“Prior to its debut on NBC in April 1977, “Jesus of Nazareth” was the subject of considerable controversy after director Franco Zeffirelli suggested his interpretation of Jesus would veer wildly from previous screen versions of the Gospels. Suspecting Zeffirelli, to say nothing of co-screenwriter Anthony Burgess of “Clockwork Orange” fame, had downplayed or even denied Jesus’ divinity, some prominent religious leaders condemned the film, sight unseen, for its alleged blasphemy. One sponsor (General Motors) bowed out, and another stepped in (Proctor and Gamble, years before the company fought off unsubstantiated charges that its logo was Satanic). “Jesus of Nazareth” aired as scheduled, in two parts on two successive Sunday evenings, earning high ratings and praise from critics of all faiths.”
“”Jesus of Nazareth” is, hands down, the finest dramatic retelling of the life of Jesus to date. As George Stevens did with his 1965 fiasco, “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” Zeffirelli recruited an all-star cast, but whereas Stevens could only have hired John Wayne to play a Roman Centurion because the Duke’s name would look nice on the posters, Zeffirelli chose his stars because they were gifted actors perfect for their roles.”
“One doesn’t ooh and aah at the sight of Rod Steiger, Anthony Quinn, or Laurence Olivier, but rather marvel at how well they believably bring Pontius Pilate, Caiaphas, and Nicodemus to respective life. As good as they are, the most impressive performance may come from a less illustrious “name,” James Farentino, who makes for a very commanding Peter.”
And one more (but there are hundreds if not thousands more):
” The best Jesus movie ever made”
“To date, “Jesus of Nazareth” is most certainly the best Jesus movie ever made. Director Franco Zeffirelli presents the story of Jesus Christ in a very authentic manner. This film sticks pretty much to the script, the Holy Bible. This historical account of Jesus starts before the birth of Christ and runs through His life, His substitutionary death for all our sins on the cross, and His reappearance afterward. Much time is spent on our Lord’s three-year long mission preaching and performing miracles as an adult on earth, and many scenes are genuinely touching, leaving not a dry eye in the audience. We’ve first seen this movie when it was released back in the late 70s, and since then we’ve watched it a few dozen times. The nearly six and a half hours running time are not a bother for those interested in the life of Christ. This picture comes across as a very well funded production and much care has been given to detail. We’re certain that most viewers will be touched, aided by Robert Powell’s realistic performance and portrayal of our Savior Jesus Christ. This movie will make you think about your personal relationship with God, while you’ll enjoy an exceptionally well-made motion picture.”
I have “Jesus of Nazareth” and have watched it several time. The movie was all about salvation and the diety of Christ.
“Maybe she is still a work in progress.
Who is a “perfect Christian”?”
Read the entire article. She’s totally into talking to the dead and new age crap. She co wrote a book with John Edwards, that fake psychic guy. Tons of WEIRD hollywooders wrote reviews of the movie or promoted it on their behalf.
I won’t waste my money.
Jesus of Nazareth was very well done, I agree.
nnnnaaaaaa, whatever...
That's a good oxymoron - like a dishonest liar.
But besides that, maybe God is using her, not to reach you, but to reach others - hey, if a handful of people seek the truth after seeing this movie, pick up and read a Bible, and come to know Jesus, and talk about it with others - hey, what a great way to spread the Gospel - naaahhhh, that'll never work........
Jesus of Nazareth is also available from Netflix:
We are all works in progress. We are all sinners saved by Grace if we believe in THE ONLY Son of God. Grace is God’s unmerited favor.
G God’s
R Riches
A At
C Christ’s
E Expense
We should not; however, let Hollywood define the Holy Inspired Word of God and blatantly leave out the plan of salvation by not having Jesus finish John 14:6 in the movie. There was no need to leave it out. It is probably still on the film’s cutting room floor. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”
“It is probably still on the film’s cutting room floor”
It was left out for an obvious reason.
Did you hear Roma Downey dispute that?
They will know we are Christians by our - repeating of certain scripture verses on cue? Like a password?
Hey, she didn't say it right - stone her.
Or, will they know we are Christians by our love?
I saw the movie, did you? She is the producer of the film and has the say on the final product. She left the total scripture out of the film and in more than one scene. I just call it as I see it and hear it.
Fine, then, you cast the first stone.
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