Jesus!

List creator: Brockton Created on: January 28, 2004 - 10:12 AM PST Description: Movies about Jesus (or that have him in a supporting role). Please let me know if I missed any that shouldn't be missed.

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	movie title	related list	average rating	MPAA rating	watch	rent	buy
	The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)
Decent enough epic, with some really bizarre casting, including John Wayne and Pat Boone.
	Jesus of Nazareth (Disc 1 of 2) (1977)			Not Rated
Six hour long made-for-TV epic by Franco Zeffirelli. Very well done. Olivia Hussey succeeds in playing an angelic Mary. Don't forget to order disk two.
	Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
This is a placeholder for King of Kings. Don't know why G.C. doesn't carry it. Awesome visuals. Jeffrey Hunter ain't a bad Jesus, although he doesn't come across as very human. A lot of focus on the sordid John the Babtist-Herod Antipas-Salome thing.
	The Gospel According to St. Matthew (1964)			Not Rated
I haven't seen it, but Eoliano recommends it, and that's good enough for me. It is considered by many to be the best Jesus movie, which is amazing when you think that the director was an athiest.
	The Last Temptation of Christ (Criterion Collection) (1988)
Martin Scorsese weighs in with this portrayal of a Jesus not sure about his calling. Willem Dafoe is excellent as the number one son.
	Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)
The original movie directed by Norman Jewison. Some really good "early MTV" here. Too bad Ted Neeley had such a bad voice. If only they could have dubbed in Ian Gillam's vocals. Includes "Could We Start Again Please," which wasn't on the original album.
	Jesus Christ Superstar (2000)			Not Rated
This is a video of a stage performace of JCS. There are some interesting parts, but I found the actor who played Jesus to be too "pretty," and not very convincing when playing the angry parts. The finale in leather is rather hot, though.
	Godspell (1973)
A set of Sunday-school lessons set to fun rock music. One of the musical numbers ends with JC and all the disciples dancing on top of the World Trade Center towers. Having the same actor play John the Babtist and Judas Iscariot is rather confusing.
	Bad Lieutenant (1992)
Harvey Keitel has a confrontation with a bloody, silent Jesus toward the end of his descent.
	The Robe (1953)			Not Rated
Richard Burton plays a Roman who wins Jesus' robe while gambling.
	Ben-Hur (Collector's Edition) (Disc 1 of 2) (1959)
Ben-Hur's encounter with Jesus impacts the end of this great epic.
	Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter (2001)			Not Rated
Jesus returns to earth to battle lesbian vampires. Yep.
	The Life and Passion of Jesus Christ/From the Manger to the Cross (1912)			Not Rated
Early silent pictures. I haven't seen these.
	History of the World: Part 1 (1981)
One of the funnier parts (although that's not saying much) explains a lot about the Last Supper.
	Monty Python's Life of Brian (Criterion Collection) (1979)
JC appears near the beginning, when Brian finds himself at the sermon on the mount. Unfortunately, he's so far back that he can't hear what Jesus is saying. "Blessed are the cheesemakers!"
	The Book of Life (1998)			Not Rated
A Hal Hartley comedy about the second coming.
	Barabbas (1962)			Not Rated
Anthony Quinn stars as Barabbas, the man who was pardoned in place of Jesus. The crucifixion was filmed during an eclipse of the sun. Looks interesting...
	The Ruling Class (Criterion Collection) (1972)
Well, this actually has a guy who thinks he's Jesus.
	Dogma (1999)
Does the appearance of Buddy Christ count?
	The Passion of the Christ (2004)
Who woulda thunk a movie about a guy who died two thousand years ago would make such a splash.
	Jesus de Montreal (1989)