Jesus (1979)

I am writing to you, most excellent Theophilus...

This is my favorite film on the life of Jesus. It is based on the Gospel of Luke. Not every event in the film is in Luke's gospel or vice versa. But I enjoy this film nonetheless.

It is filmed in the Holy land and most of the actors are like those you see in that land. The acting is excellent. I appreciate that the director allows children to play roles in the movie, for Jesus loved children. Not like today, where people claim that "they are for the children" but then vote for politicians who saddle the children with an unbearable debt. At the end of giving the parable about the good Samaritan, Jesus asks "who acted as this man's neighbor?" and a small child answers. In Luke's gospel, a grown man answers, however the slight changing of events do not bother me since the message remains the same.

In the film you will often hear background voices. For example there is the occasion where a poor old lady deposits two small copper coins into the Temple treasury, since all she had were those two coins. As she is doing this, you can hear people in the background commenting, in cockneyed accents, "only a mite?" "can't she give more?" "it's very little." These sayings are not documented in the gospel but again, do not detract from the message; rather they emphasize our own sinful nature and our need to repent. April 14, 2008

Great Movie for the Christian's Collection

This is a good movie to share with your friends and family. My favorite is still the Gospel of John. With that said, this is still a good movie to get. January 19, 2007

Best Jesus movie ever!

If there is any Jesus movie that touches the hearts of men, this one does. I bought three of these and play them so much, I want to make sure I have it a long time. The fact that the words are taken entirely from the Bible, and portraying the life of Jesus simply and accurately without added "Hollywood" glamor, tinsel and big-name movie stars distracting the meaningful intentions of this story: that of our Lord and Savior here in the flesh over 2,000 years ago. October 20, 2006

Excellent Film

I they were selling this movie at my church when a special guest came one Sunday. I bought this movie and I have to agree that this is the best movie I have ever seen on the life, death and resurrection of my Lord Jesus Christ. I haven't seen "the Passion" yet, I plan to very soon and I have high hopes for the film, but this one is equally as good.

Very well done film that was done with great care, excellent movie I recommmend everyone see August 29, 2005

a powerful film for missionaries

Taking five years to research and produce, this 1979 film is meticulous in its recreation of the time of Jesus. It uses over 200 locations in the Holy Land, many actors from the region, and is based on portions of the Gospel of Luke.
This is the film used by over 1,500 denominations and missions to evangelize, and it has been translated into 877 languages and shown to over five billion people in 228 countries, and is an excellent "tool" for this purpose, because it is simple and at the same time very powerful and moving.

British actor Brian Deacon is a wonderful Jesus, with a soft but manly voice and perfect enunciation, making the words of Jesus come to life in a very special way.
Others of note are Niko Nitai as Simon Peter, Rivka Neuman as Mary, Talia Shapira as Mary Magdalene, and the part of John the Baptist (played by Eli Cohen) is short, but physically the closest I have seen on film to what I imagine the real John looked like.
Richard Kiley narrates as Luke, and also listed as narrator is Alexander Scourby.
Directed by John Kirsh and Peter Sykes, it has some terrific passages; one of my favorites is the storm at sea (Luke 8:22-25), which is very effective, and the cinematography by Mike Reed, and the locations, a pleasure to watch.

The film ends with an invitation to salvation, and with it the promise of "a full, abundant life, filled with purpose and meaning", and with a quote from Revelation 3:20: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him".
Total running time is 83 minutes.
April 27, 2005

More reviews at Amazon.com ...