Yes. One of my most favorite interpretations of the gospels is this one.
Editorial ReviewOriginally made for TV in 1977, this in-depth (six hours plus) version of Jesus' life is so thorough that the first hour is devoted solely to the story of his birth. The film doesn't skimp on some of the other landmark events of this famous story either. Director Franco Zeffirelli gives more than 12 minutes screen time each to the Last Supper and the Crucifixion. Passages of the Bible are quoted verbatim, the locations have a Palestine-like authenticity, and, aside from some of the principals (Robert Powell as Jesus, Olivia Hussey as Mary, and Stacy Keach as Barabbas), many of the non-Roman characters are actually played by Semitic-looking actors. Zeffirelli diligently provides the sociopolitical background that gave rise to Jesus' following and the crisis in belief it caused for the people of Israel (and one or two Romans). While not graphic by today's standards, some of the scenes--baby boys being ripped from their mothers' arms and slaughtered, nails being driven into Jesus' hands--may disturb young and/or sensitive children. --Kimberly Heinrichs
Now, an interesting thing happened to me back in 1987, when part 2 of this film was broadcast as an Easter special on television. I had recently moved into an older home in a lovely neighborhood. Baby asleep in her bed, I sat down to watch the movie. I had been looking forward to seeing this movie again. Opening credits rolled when, suddenly, the power went off throughout the entire house. I checked the electrical panel expecting one of the breakers had switched off. The breakers were fine. Suspecting it might be a power outage, I looked out the window. To my utter amazement, mine was the only house on the block without lights. Even more unusual is that around the time the movie ended, the power returned.
This was one of several strange phenomenon that occurred in that house. The following year, I sold it and moved again. The purchasers never encountered any similar problems.