Reviews

I don't know much about ancient Roman history, but I thought the A.D. film was very good and moving. I really liked the portrayal of Paul and Peter. I thought the actors who played them did a marvelous job. I have the 9 hour version on 5 VHS tapes. It is a nice movie to watch during the cold winter months. It was really sad and touching when the early Christians are thrown into the arena and when Valerius picks up the dead child in his arms. That scene moved me to tears. The girl that played Sarah, Amanda Pays was also good. I liked the character that played Caleb. The sets and costumes were very nice too. I wish that they had this on DVD. It's too bad that they don't make movies like this anymore. I give it an 8.5 out of 10.

I have the Jesus of Nazareth movie on VHS and watched it over the Christmas holiday. After seeing the Passion in April 2004 and being extremely disappointed, I still think that Jesus of Nazareth is the best movie about Christ. The acting, especially by Robert Powell, was excellent. I am Afro-American and I doubt that the "real" Jesus had blue eyes, but the casting of Mr. Powell did not bother me one bit. I thought he made a very handsome and convincing Jesus. I don't understand some of the reviewers that are so hung up on Christ's eye/hair color. The Jesus in this film had very dark brown hair, which is common amongst Jewish people. So what if He had blue eyes! No one really knows what Christ may have looked like. Also, during the seventies there were very few Black or Hispanic or brown-skinned actors that had leading parts in TV films or movies. But in this film, Franco Zeffirelli did use local Arab people as extras in the crowd. Jesus even speaks 2 Aramaic phrases that are in the King James Bible. The film also includes many Jewish rituals and prayers. I thought this was an excellent film and very well-made. No film about Christ is going to be perfect and even this one had minor flaws, but at least the message of Christ is presented in a clear and reverent manner. I also liked the fact that there were no gaudy or fake looking special effects used.To those people who criticize this movie, go and make your own version that you feel is better.

I am a devout Christian who loves Jesus with all my heart, mind, and soul. I saw this horrible film back in April 2004 and wanted to make my comments. First of all, I believe that Jesus is my Lord and Saviour and that He really existed 2000 years ago. When I went to see this movie with my brother, who is also a Christian, I thought I was going to see a well made movie about Christ's last hours on earth. It was nothing but a blood and gore film. No character development, very bad acting. The decision to have the film in the so-called original languages was sort of stupid to me. In the gospels, when Christ is resurrected, He told his disciples to go out and make followers of ALL NATIONS!!! To me that means that the gospel message should be translated into all languages! I cannot believe the so- called Christians who would give this film a high rating. It is one of the worst films on the life of Christ, ever. The gospels do not go into gory detail on how Christ was scourged or tortured. I do not need to see a gory, gruesome reenactment of Christ scourging. Also this movie is NOT historically accurate, as some would believe. Jesus probably only carried the crossbeam and not the entire cross. Also, He did not get thrown over a bridge and Satan was not in the garden of Gethsemane to torment Him. When His side was pierced, the gospels did not say that blood and water came out like a big shower fountain and drenched a Roman soldier. I could say more, but I was totally sickened by this sorry excuse for a film. I could not sleep for 2 days after watching it. If I had kids, I would NEVER take them to see this crap. Talk about causing nightmares! A film about Christ should be beautiful. At least with the old Jesus movies, they had better acting and character development and you learned something about Christ's teachings. I learned absolutely nothing from this horrible movie. Shame on you Mel Gibson and all of your deluded, ignorant fans who are too lazy and stupid to read their Bibles! I believe that we are living in times similar to that of ancient Rome and the gladiators, where people would get enjoyment at watching someone being whipped and beaten to a bloody pulp. Sad, sad times indeed!God help us!