ABC gets into biblical act ('Judas' looks at life of Jesus through eyes of betrayer)

World Net Daily ^ | 3-7-04

[truthandlife]

ABC tonight airs a biblical TV movie of the life of Jesus – this time told through the perspective of the man who betrayed him in "Judas."

The movie is sure to draw comparisons with Mel Gibson's blockbuster, "The Passion of the Christ."

'Judas' airs tonight on ABC Television

It is being well-received by some of the same Christian critics who have praised Gibson's movie – but getting far less attention.

"'Judas' is an extraordinary movie and I recommend it wholeheartedly to the Christian audience," said Ted Baehr, editor of MovieGuide and president of the Christian Film and Television Commission.

The movie is a dramatization focusing on the question of what led Judas to betray the man he called friend and Messiah? The ABC movie covers the two years Judas spent with Jesus.

The story begins at the foot of a cross, where 8-year-old Judas witnesses the crucifixion of his father. Years later, Judas, played by Johnathon Schaech, now 30, working as a wine seller and living with his widowed mother, Rohab. Captured by hooded men and taken to The High Priest, Caiaphas, he is called an "agitator" and warned that rebellion will not be tolerated.

"'Judas' deals with many of the same themes and challenges that 'Passion' does," says director Charles Robert Carner. "And while I am loathe to compare my modest efforts with those of an Academy Award-winning filmmaker, I am nonetheless proud of my film and hopeful that it will attract a large audience."

Carner seems surprised ABC took a chance on this biblical movie and scheduled it for broadcast in prime time even before the success of "The Passion of the Christ" was certain.

"Given today's media and cultural climate of ourtight hostility toward Christianity, I'm still quite amazed that Paramount and ABC supported 'Judas' in the first place," he said.

Judas is the final project of the late Father Ellwood "Bud" Kieser, C.S.P. — founder of the Humanitas Prize and Paulist Productions.

Judas is executive-produced by multi-Emmy Award-winning writer-producer Tom Fontana, who also wrote the screenplay.

[patriot_wes]

I'm watching it...that Jesus sure do look white!

[WKB]

Unbelievable. And what an idiotic script...


I am just thankful they haven't portrayed Christ as
a homosexual ..YET

[BigSkyFreeper]

Then for the next days and weeks, we'll be inundated by nattering nabobs about how accurate a portrayal this movie was, and that it was a blockbuster.

[CWOJackson]

LOL! Yep.

At least Judas did the honorable thing. I'm not going to hold my breath with the network.

[F16Fighter]

"I am just thankful they haven't portrayed Christ as a homosexual ..YET"

You must not have watched the movie earlier; He and Judas gazed into each others eyes, smiled like two schoolgirls, and playfully wrestled each other to the ground. Upon dusting himself off Jesus said, "I like you Judas."

[F16Fighter]

"At least Judas did the honorable thing. I'm not going to hold my breath with the network."

Heh-heh...

[WKB]

You must not have watched the movie earlier; He and Judas gazed into each others eyes, smiled like two schoolgirls, and playfully wrestled each other to the ground. Upon dusting himself off Jesus said, "I like you Judas."



I haven't watched ANY of it I knew it would only make me mad. I was just going by what I was reading here.
I do not watch secular shows about Spiritual things.
They NEVER get it right.

[mercy]

I took in the first ten minutes. Jesus showed up and he had blonde hair and blue eyes and talked like Keifer Southerland in Flatliners. No, not quite that erudite. Waht a laugh.

[mercy]

This guy is a moron.

[F16Fighter]

"I haven't watched ANY of it I knew it would only make me mad...I do not watch secular shows about Spiritual things. They NEVER get it right."

They have done a better job -- the 1960 movie, 'King of Kings' was alright...

After justing viewing 'The Passion,' it's been interesting to juxtaposition it versus this joke tonight.

Speaking of jokes, 'The Last Temptation of Christ' was on Bravo the other night. That "Christ" was portrayed as a whimpering, unsure, coward -- and I could only stomach a few minutes of it.

[F16Fighter]

"Jesus showed up and he had blonde hair and blue eyes and talked like Keifer Southerland in Flatliners. No, not quite that erudite. Waht a laugh."

I almost expected this Jesus to refer to Judas as "Dude."

[BigSkyFreeper]

The Last Temptation of Christ was supposed to be about a homosexual Jesus, and nothing more. Which is why I thought that movie was utter trash.

[BigSkyFreeper]

The guy that played Jesus must've been from Berkley.

[Naspino]

I long for aramaic after watching this -- I half way expected someone, by the end, to yell out "Top of the morning to ya lad." or "Here's to you and yours And to mine and ours. And if mine and ours Ever come across to you and ours, I hope you and yours will do As much for mine and ours As mine and ours have done For you and yours!"