I try to watch that every Easter. Despite the distraction of a blue eyed veddy British actor playing the part of the Messiah, I think it is the best representation of the Gospel story ever filmed. The extensive use of Jesus' actual words, not just the usual "selection of greatest hits" as in most other Biblical epics, makes the film very thought provoking.
From what little I've heard about Sarandon's film, the real life subject thought the writers murdered her story for the sake of TV plot conventions. However, there was enough publicity surrounding the actual events last summer (Antartctic winter) and the real story was certainly dramatic enough that it should have attracted a decent audience. Sarandon was therefore the box office poison that killed the ratings, something that will not go unnoticed and will affect future casting meetings around Hollywood.
I love that movie too...except for the British Jesus who looks exactly like my loser cousin. Jeffrey Hunter in King of Kings was a better Jesus. Also the music is King of Kings is awesome.