File:1977 * Zeffirelli (TV miniseries).jpg

Lorenzo Monet as Young Jesus

Robert Powell as Jesus

Gesù di Nazareth / Jesus of Nazareth (1977) is a TV mini-series (sound, color, 382m), directed by Franco Zeffirelli. Music by Maurice Jarre; see Jesus of Nazareth (1977 Jarre), film music.

Abstract

International miniseries, filmed primarily in Morocco and Tunisia, covers the life of Jesus from his birth to the resurrection, combing elements from both the Catholic and the Protestant tradition. Adds references to historical criticism by emphasizing the Jewishness of Jesus and his involvement in the Jewish like of the time. Starring Robert Powell as Jesus, and a gallery of famous Italian, American and British actors, including Anne Bancroft (Mary Magdalene), Ernest Borgnine (the centurion), Claudia Cardinale (the adulteress), Valentina Cortese (Herodias), James Earl Jones (Balthasar), and Lawrence Olivier (Nicodemus).

Synopsis

Nativity of Jesus

• Joseph of Nazareth discusses with Anne the wedding with Mary of Nazareth
• Bethroyal of Mary and Joseph]]
• Annunciation to Mary -- No angel is shown, only light. It is more like a mystical e experience.
• ...
• Visitation of Mary
• Circumcision of John the Baptist
• Annunciation to Joseph
• Wedding of Joseph and Mary -- A Jewish ceremony.
• Census of Quirinius -- at the time of Herod the Great (sic!).
• Journey of the Magi
• Birth of Jesus
• Adoration of the Shepherds
• Circumcision of Jesus
• Presentation of Jesus at the Temple
• Adoration of the Magi
• Massacre of the Innocents
• Flight into Egypt (including Death of Herod and Return from Egypt)

Childhood of Jesus

• Jesus at Nazareth
• Jesus' Bar-mitzvah at the synagogue
• Jesus among the Doctors

Ministry of Jesus

• Preaching of John the Baptist (against Herod Antipas and in the wilderness)
• Death of Joseph of Nazareth
• Baptism of Jesus -- Follows the Gospel of Matthew in the conversation between Jesus and John. Here the revelation of the messiahship of Jesus comes from the mouth of John.
• Here is the Lamb of God -- as in the Gospel of John, the Baptist invites his disciples to follow Jesus
• Hometown Rejection -- Jesus reads Isaiah at the synagogue.

Cast

• Robert Powell = Jesus of Nazareth
• Lorenzo Monet = Child Jesus
• Anne Bancroft = Mary Magdalene
• Ernest Borgnine = Roman Centurion
• Claudia Cardinale = Adulteress

• James Farentino = Peter
• Ian McShane = Judas Iscariot
• Tony Vogel = Andrew
• John Duttine = John the Evangelist
• Jonathan Muller = James Zebedee
• Sergio Nicolai = James Alphaeus
• John Eastham = Bartholomew
• Keith Washington = Matthew
• Murray Salem = Simon the Zealot
• Steve Gardner = Philip the Apostle
• Bruce Lidington = Thomas
• Mimmo Crao = Thaddeus

• James Earl Jones = Balthazar
• Stacy Keach = Barabbas
• Tony Lo Bianco = Quintillius
• James Mason = Joseph of Arimathea
• Laurence Olivier = Nicodemus
• Donald Pleasence = Melchior
• Christopher Plummer = Herod Antipas
• Valentina Cortese = Herodias
• Isabel Mestres = Salome
• Anthony Quinn = Caiaphas
• Fernando Rey = Gaspar
• Ralph Richardson = Simeon
• Rod Steiger = Pontius Pilate
• Peter Ustinov = Herod the Great
• Michael York = John the Baptist
• Olivia Hussey = Mary of Nazareth
• Cyril Cusack = Yehuda
• Ian Holm = Zerah
• Yorgo Voyagis = Joseph of Nazareth
• Marina Berti = Elizabeth
• Regina Bianchi = Anne
• Maria Carta = Martha of Bethany

Production

Produced in Italy, UK and the United States (1977).

External links

• Wikipedia