Reviews

VIDEO

Classic film
Jesus of Nazareth, Carlton Video £19.99

AS soon as the music starts to play and one sees the names and images of the actors coming up on the screen, you just sense that you're in for a treat - and you would be right!

The film, which has a long list of outstanding actors including Robert Powell in the title role as well as James Mason, Michael York, Peter Ustinov and Anne Bancroft, started life as a television series on ITV.

It caught people's attention then because of the high quality acting, and its religious accuracy. Later, it was released as an eight hour video, but Carlton have just released a shortened four and a half hour version.

Franco Zeffirelli, who directed this film, certainly had an eye for detail. Each frame could be stopped, and used as an oil painting. The colours and the costumes are stunning - but the film does not give a 'chocolate box' image of life in Israel in the days of Jesus. Instead, we see a poor, downtrodden people, under the heel of the Romans, and desperate for a deliverer to come.

Robert Powell portrays Jesus just as I'm sure he was - intelligent, compassionate, fun-loving and yet able to bring people up to his standards rather than going down to theirs.

Don't be put off by the video's length. It's four and a half hours well spent, and is surely one of the classics of modern times.

David Waite is a freelance writer and broadcaster

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		VIDEO Classic film Jesus of Nazareth, Carlton Video £19.99 AS soon as the music starts to play and one sees the names and images of the actors coming up on the screen, you just sense that you're in for a treat - and you would be right! The film, which has a long list of outstanding actors including Robert Powell in the title role as well as James Mason, Michael York, Peter Ustinov and Anne Bancroft, started life as a television series on ITV. It caught people's attention then because of the high quality acting, and its religious accuracy. Later, it was released as an eight hour video, but Carlton have just released a shortened four and a half hour version. Franco Zeffirelli, who directed this film, certainly had an eye for detail. Each frame could be stopped, and used as an oil painting. The colours and the costumes are stunning - but the film does not give a 'chocolate box' image of life in Israel in the days of Jesus. Instead, we see a poor, downtrodden people, under the heel of the Romans, and desperate for a deliverer to come. Robert Powell portrays Jesus just as I'm sure he was - intelligent, compassionate, fun-loving and yet able to bring people up to his standards rather than going down to theirs. Don't be put off by the video's length. It's four and a half hours well spent, and is surely one of the classics of modern times. David Waite is a freelance writer and broadcaster Next page © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.