This film is rather rocky.
First, acting. Powell's Jesus is so out of it he seems to be on drugs or something. He is always looking like he is "holy" and he never gets real (except briefly in one scene). Jesus Christ was God, but also a human being, not just this Godlike character that Powell portrays. Some of the other star turns, such as Anthony Quinn and Lawrence Olivier are also strangely bad. They don't seem to have any concept of what their characters really are like. The guy who plays Peter is always reacting the same way to everything that happens.
The story is beefed up, and changed slightly. This happens all the time, but is really unnecessary. They also botch the resurection. This is likely because the filmakers don't really believe it.
Overall, the film isn't powerful enough because the filmakers don't understand this man who literally changed the world.
That said, the cinematography is excellent. Particularly the shot when Pilate calls Jesus in after he has been flogged, and you see Jesus framed in the doorway with intense backlighting. Beautiful.
Some acting is great. Rod Steiger as Pilate is superb. He catches the character, but doesn't overplay him. His Pilate is more caught in what happens than intentionally vindictive (read the account in the Gospels, right on portrayal).
So, in all, a very rocky film. Better than many "Jesus" films, but not close to the power of the real account. This man changed the world. We measure time in relation to his birth. You wouldn't get that from this film.
First, acting. Powell's Jesus is so out of it he seems to be on drugs or something. He is always looking like he is "holy" and he never gets real (except briefly in one scene). Jesus Christ was God, but also a human being, not just this Godlike character that Powell portrays. Some of the other star turns, such as Anthony Quinn and Lawrence Olivier are also strangely bad. They don't seem to have any concept of what their characters really are like. The guy who plays Peter is always reacting the same way to everything that happens.
The story is beefed up, and changed slightly. This happens all the time, but is really unnecessary. They also botch the resurection. This is likely because the filmakers don't really believe it.
Overall, the film isn't powerful enough because the filmakers don't understand this man who literally changed the world.
That said, the cinematography is excellent. Particularly the shot when Pilate calls Jesus in after he has been flogged, and you see Jesus framed in the doorway with intense backlighting. Beautiful.
Some acting is great. Rod Steiger as Pilate is superb. He catches the character, but doesn't overplay him. His Pilate is more caught in what happens than intentionally vindictive (read the account in the Gospels, right on portrayal).
So, in all, a very rocky film. Better than many "Jesus" films, but not close to the power of the real account. This man changed the world. We measure time in relation to his birth. You wouldn't get that from this film.