I found this movie to be rather critical towards Jesus Christ and the whole of christianity, unlike most (American) movies (which is not a bad thing as such). This film has frequently been praised as the ultimate film on the life of (the) Christ. But I simply think Pasolini meant something else when making this film. This is not THE tale as we know it, this is Pasolini's vision, even if it's the Gospel according to St. Matthew. Jesus Christ comes off here not as the ultimate goodness in human form, but more as a pretty intolerant and even sectarian figure. And some of his deeds and the events in his life are presented in such a way that it's even hard to understand why people nowadays even bother to believe in them. I don't know if that's what Pasolini meant (after all he was a fervent marxist and known homosexual, which might explain (partially) a more hostile view towards the roman-catholic church), but I have strong feelings he did.
