File:1916 Antamoro (film).jpg

Christus (Italy, 1916) is a feature film (silent, B&W, 80m), directed by Giulio Antamoro

Abstract

Acted by a company of Italian players and shot on locations in Egypt and Palestine, the film follows the biblical account of the story of Jesus of Nazareth from the events directly preceding his birth to his crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. The movie briefly touches upon the Childhood of Jesus and Jesus' Hidden Years, events that are both located in Egypt. Besides the visit to the Jerusalem Temple, the script adds "apocryphal" details about Child Jesus preaching to the other children and Young Jesus preaching to the nomads of the desert and healing an Egyptian princess.

Synopsis

Nativity of Jesus

• Annunciation to Mary
• Augustus and the Census of Quirinius
• Joseph and Mary travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem
• Birth of Jesus
• Annunciation to the Shepherds
• Journey of the Magi / Journey of the Shepherds
• Adoration of the Shepherds
• Herod the Great and the Magi
• [{Adoration of the Magi]]
• [[Herod the Great] ]orders the Massacre of the Innocents
• Return of the Magi
• Massacre of the Innocents
• An angel appears to Joseph and Mary
• Flight into Egypt -- First with a donkey and then with a camel, until they arrive into Egypt and see the ancient Pyramids

Childhood of Jesus

• Child Jesus with his Child disciples in Palestine
• Jesus among the Doctors -- Jesus arrives at the Jerusalem Temple with his parents and his child disciples. He then teaches to the Doctors in the Temple. Mary sees the shadow of the cross.

Jesus' Hidden Years

• Jesus is back to Egypt, meditating among the ruins of ancient Egyptian temples and preaching to the bedouins in the desert and healing the sick.
• Jesus heals an Egyptian princess.

Ministry of Jesus

• Temptation of Jesus
• Baptism of Jesus
• Jesus and the Adulteress
• Jesus and the Pharisee
• Mary Magdalene sees Jesus -- She a rich prostitute, who repents from her sins.
• Anointing of Jesus in the House of the Pharisee -- The sinner is Mary Magdalene
• Walking on Water
• Transfiguration of Jesus and Possessed Boy -- After Raphael
• Raising of Lazarus
• Good Shepherd
• Blessed Children

Passion of Jesus

• Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem -- Judas is already planning to betray Jesus
• Last Supper -- After Leonardo, with the first Eucharist.
• Plot to Kill Jesus
• Betrayal of Judas - In the hand of Judas the coins turn into drops of blood.
• Agony in the Garden and Arrest of Jesus, with Jesus healing Malchus.
• Trial of Jesus before the High Priest
• Mocking of Jesus and Peter's Denial at the "House of the Maccebees"
• Trial of Jesus before Herod Antipas
• Trial of Jesus before Pilate
• Jesus and Barabbas / Pilate Washes His Hands
• Flagellation of Jesus, while Judas returns the money to the Sanhedrin and commits suicide.
• Way to Golgotha with the episodes of Simon of Cyrene and the meeting with the women
• Crucifixion of Jesus, with the mourning of his mother
• Burial of Jesus, with Pieta, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, and a reference to the {[Shroud of jesus]].
• [[Roman soldiers are guarding the sepulcher, while the women are awake in prayer.

Resurrection of Jesus

• Risen Christ -- he appears to Mary
• Noli me tangere
• Doubting Thomas
• Ascension of Jesus

Cast

• Alberto Pasquali = Jesus of Nazareth
• Amleto Novelli = Pontius Pilate
• Leda Gys = Mary of Nazareth
• Augusto Mastripietri = Judas Iscariot
• Renato Visca = Child Jesus

Production

Produced and released in Italy (Rome: 8 November 1916). Distributed internationally, including Spain (8 April 1916), the United States (New York, NY: Criterion Theatre, 3 April 1917), Sweden (21 December 1917), Portugal (23 March 1918), Japan (20 January 1921), Germany (Berlin: 26 October 1921), ...

External links

• Wikipedia.it
• The Internet Movie Database