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Released by: Shout Factory
Released on: February 23rd, 2016
Director: Franco Zeffirelli
Cast: Olivia Hussey, Ernest Borgnine, Robert Powell, Michael York, Donald Pleasence, James Earl Jones
Year: 1977
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The Movie
Arriving just in time for Easter, this epic television miniseries made quite a splash when it debuted back in 1977, and sees a high definition reissuing here via Shout! Factory for its fortieth anniversary.
Jesus of Nazareth was a product of RAI Italian television, shot in Tunisia and Morocco and presented over the course of four nights. That's right, this bad boy is over six hours long, and chronicles the complete story of Jesus Christ, from the Nativity on through his youth, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection. A story this lengthy of course demands an all star cast, and director Franco Zeffirelli gets exactly that, with actor as varied as James Mason, Olivia Hussey, Michael York, Donald Pleasence, Stacy Keach, Ian McShane, James Earl Jones and more appear as recognizable characters from the Biblical story of Jesus.
Zeffirelli was known for his straight forward takes on classic literature, with his most famous cinematic adaptation being that of Romeo and Juliet, although the filmmaker would also helm such films as Othello and Mel Gibson's well received version of Hamlet. The director tends to stick with tradition here, forgoing the stylistic choices of a film like, say John Huston's The Bible, in favor of a very reverential and dramatic telling of the tale. Robert Powell is particularly stoic as Jesus, the actor exuding a hefty presence once he finally makes his appearance on screen early in Part II.
Of course, there isn't anything wrong with Zeffireli's approach here, but it's all rather dry so many years after its initial release. Christian believers will likely find plenty of inspiration here, but casual movie goers who are expecting some sort of grand, Cecil B. Demille styled pomp might come away slightly disappointed at the film's television limitations. Still, Jesus of Nazareth possesses more than enough scope and big time skill behind the camera to lift it up beyond so many of its made for T.V. contemporaries of the day.
Video/Audio/Extras
Shout Factory's AVC encoded 1080p high definition Blu-ray presentation of Jesus of Nazareth is serviceable, but won't win any awards for clarity or restorative beauty. The colors are relatively drab, appearing very much as yours truly remembers during this series' reruns throughout the 1980s around the Easter season. The full frame ratio is indicative of the film's small screen origins, but don't really resonate with any sort of sharpness, and there's a bit of non-invasive flicker which occasionally pop up now and again, making this one of Shout Factory's least impressive Blu-Rays in recent memory.
The DTS-HD English language audio track is fine, but nothing special. The main track doesn't have any noticeable pops or hisses, although some of the dubbed dialogue is really awkwardly inserted, particularly during the scenes with Jesus as a young boy. The only extras here are interviews with author Jean-Pierre Isbouts about the lasting impact of the film and actor Michael York about his experience portraying John the Baptist.
The Final Word
Jesus of Nazareth is a well shot, honestly portrayed and somber telling of the Jesus tale with a hefty sense of gravitas. Of course, one doesn't need to be religious in order to enjoy Zeffirelli's film...but it helps.
Click on the images below for full sized Blu-ray screen caps!
