c. 1997 Religion News Service
UNDATED _ Following is a partial list of some of the more important or popular films about the life and times of Jesus.
“Intolerance”(1916), with Howard Gaye as Jesus; directed by D.W. Griffith. Landmark epic that interweaves four stories _ including one set in ancient Judea _ of prejudice and inhumanity. Though Gaye’s scenes are brief, his portrayal of Jesus still ranks as one of the most successful.
“The King of Kings”(1927), with H.B. Warner as Jesus; directed by Cecil B. DeMille. Lavish silent film with the resurrection sequence shot in two-color Technicolor.
“Ben-Hur”(1959), with Claude Heater as Jesus; directed by William Wyler. This widescreen spectacle follows the relationship between a nationalistic Jew and a gentile with a blind allegiance to Rome during the time of Christ. Includes scenes depicting the Nativity, the Sermon on the Mount and the Crucifixion.
“King of Kings”(1961), with Jeffrey Hunter as Jesus; directed by Nicholas Ray. Teen idol Hunter is cast in the lead in this attempt to draw younger audiences to the age-old story.
“The Greatest Story Ever Told”(1965), with Max Von Sydow as Jesus; directed by George Stevens. Despite an all-star cast, this film is criticized as being one of the least faithful to the Gospels.
“The Gospel According to St. Matthew”(1966), with Enrique Irazoqui as Jesus; directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini. This low-budget film, using a nonprofessional cast and gritty location shots, offers a realistic sense of first-century Palestine.
“Godspell”(1973), with Victor Garber as Jesus; directed by David Green. Based on the Broadway musical, this film depicts Jesus as a hip clown in modern-day New York City.
“Jesus Christ, Superstar”(1973), with Ted Neely as Jesus; directed by Norman Jewison. Based on the Broadway rock opera by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, this film is perhaps most memorable because of its musical score.
“Jesus of Nazareth”(1977), with Robert Powell as Jesus; directed by Franco Zeffirelli. The blockbuster NBC mini-series of the life of Jesus that many consider the most faithful to the Gospels.
“The Last Temptation of Christ”(1988), with Willem Dafoe as Jesus; directed by Martin Scorcese. Controversial depiction of a sexually aware Jesus consumed with self-doubt.
DEA END RNS
