In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

"Jesus of Nazareth" is a nearly 6½ hour 1977 epic TV film about the life of Jesus Christ. It aired in different countries as a mini-series, from two to five parts. The film was directed by Franco Zeffirelli and today is considered a classic. In making this film Zeffirelli departed from his usual way of casting. Instead of mostly all new, unknown actors, he has nearly two dozen prominent names of stage and screen in the major roles. Indeed, this film may hold the record for a cast with the most major acting awards and nominations. Seventeen of the performers, from Anne Bancroft to Peter Ustinov, have won 56 major awards, and have had another 119 major nominations. The awards of the various performances in this film include 9 Oscars, 14 Golden Globes and 14 BAFTA awards, 13 Emmy's and 6 Broadway Tony awards. The film itself, received 2 primetime Emmy nominations and 6 BAFTA nominations. Generally, this is a very good condensed portrayal of the life of Christ. Even at more than six hours, much of what the Bible has about Jesus in the four gospels had to be condensed. Zeffirelli doesn't try to create the more spectacular scenes that would require heavy special effects. So, such things aren't included -- the calming of the storm at sea, Jesus walking on water, temptations by the devil, and appearances of angels in the annunciation and at Christmas. The many miracles Jesus worked are condensed into just a few. He cures a blind man, raises Lazarus from the dead, and multiplies the loaves and fishes.Still, a great deal of the drama in the life of Jesus had to do with the signs - the miracles he performed. His miracles, and word of them drew crowds beyond Christ's public teaching. And, these were what the rulers of the time feared and objected to the most. Christ worked his miracles out of love and to teach. Zeffirelli said that he wanted to focus on Jesus the man, which the film does. Yet, the signs, wonders, and works of the man also help one understand him. Especially as his manhood relates to his divinity as well. So, the film might have shown a little more of the exceptional works as they inspired awe among the people. That is something that the film does not portray much, if at all - the awe, the wonder of the people, the crowds and his disciples at times for what he did. And, one specific thing that should have been included but wasn't, was the tearing of the temple curtain when Christ was crucified. That should not have been too difficult or costly to set up and record. The addition of the fictional character, Zerah, seems to be a connection that the director uses to embellish the Sanhedrin plot to kill Jesus. This glosses over a number of references in the Bible about the Pharisees and Scribes plotting and wanting to kill Jesus. Instead, it's presented in the film as a reasoned outcome after much discussion. The story also embellishes greatly the character of Judas Iscariot. This goes far beyond the Biblical information and tradition. The embellishment of the three kings, or wise men (magi), while fictional, is not as far afield because of the references to them in the Bible. On that basis, audiences may better grasp the significance of their roles in the story of Jesus Christ. The film has several other additions that are not in the Bible, and alterations or embellishments of some things in the Bible. Generally, it's a good condensed story of the life of Jesus, if not of his mission and its significance. And, that's what Zeffirelli said he intended with this film. It was to show the human person of Jesus Christ, in his ministry. All of the cast give very good performances. The costuming and makeup are very good. And the locations shooting in Tunisia, Morocco and Mexico closely resemble the countryside and locals of the Holy Land.

This two-part mini-series covers the life of Jesus even before the beginning. It's long, but holds your interest to the end, and some passages are absolutely riveting, although there is no way that such a telling could avoid controversy.It shows how powerful the story can be in the hands of gifted writers, Anthony Burgess among others, and an inspired director, Franco Zeffirelli.With that said though, this is probably the least spectacular of the three big productions that tell the traditional life of Jesus; the others being Nicholas Ray's epic "King of Kings" and George Steven's measured "The Greatest Story Ever Told". "Jesus of Nazareth" is photographed in a no frills manner, and avoids conventional depictions of many of the events, especially the crucifixion.Maurice Jarre's effective score has a crisp sound, halfway between the symphonic scores for "King of Kings" and "Greatest Story", and Peter Gabriel's new-age opus for "The Last Temptation of Christ". The film has major stars in many of the roles big and small, as did Steven's "Greatest Story". Zeffirelli's film seems more successful in fitting the big names into their characters although Peter Ustinov was such a distinctive personality that his Herod seems rather tongue-in-cheek, even when he is ordering something as horrendous as the slaughter of the innocents. However, Robert Powell's performance is fascinating. How does any actor interpret Jesus? There are no acknowledged physical descriptions of the historical Jesus so who is to say that he didn't have auburn hair and blue eyes? Unlikely of course, but beyond appearance, Powell and Zeffirelli saw him as an ethereal being, as though he is constantly aware of the fate that awaits him. Most portrayals of Jesus tend to do that, and you could argue that it is too obvious an approach, but it probably captures the way his disciples and followers must have seen him - a unique man seemingly existing on a higher plane. Otherwise, why would they have followed him when it was so dangerous to do so? Although some characters were invented for the purposes of the drama, I think the series as a whole presented the story of the Gospels in an honest and accessible way, but obviously made by a director with a deep faith.Of course, it's such a powerful story with a massive influence on the history of mankind, that the door is always open for another interpretation.

As the passion of Christ was a bit extreme,where you'd think that in that film they could have take a nudge down.. this film is just the opposite.. It annoyed me deeply that this film was way to brave, the way Jesus gets angry, I was waiting for the temple scene, but even in that scene he couldn't -or maybe wasn't allowed- to get angry. You don't even see him get hit a single time,since that's also a 'big' part of the movie I think they could have done a better job on that part. Jesus suffered for us, but if you see this movie you'd almost start to wonder.. It's not even a problem to let children watch this movie, to learn about Jesus.

Wow. a great collection of fine actors...in this several hour miniseries. Get an entertaining film which is also a pretty accurate overview of Jesusmlife and work...from this movie.Right now, I'm seeing Sir Laurence Olivier, James Mason, Anthony Quinn, and several other A-list actors of their time all in one room...ARGUING!(portraying the Jewish leaders...debating whether or not Jesus should be handed over to the Romans for conviction). WOW!!!If you don't know who Jesus is, if you want a fairly quick overview of who He is, why He came, and what He did for us with His teachings, His death and resurrection on the Cross, this movie will do! And...this great award winning miniseries was shown on national TV. Its production value is high quality and the script is reverent and INtERESTING.