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Home > All films > Portrayals of Jesus in film

Films with theme "Portrayals of Jesus in film", sorted by production date

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Jesus – The Film
Jesus – The Film (1986)
, 2h7
Directed by Birgit Hein, Jörg Buttgereit, Michael Brynntrup
Themes Films set in Africa, Films about religion, Vampires in film, Films based on the Bible, Portrayals of Jesus in film

Starting with the birth of the Jesus child, the film deviates wildly from the New Testament template, with the Virgin Mary now giving birth to twins, likely to give credence to the idea that Gnostic The Gospel of Thomas was actually written by the twin brother of Jesus. However, in keeping with tradition, only the life and suffering of the One is portrayed. Throughout the entire film, Jesus is shadowed by dark agents (the Four Evangelists) who seem to be the puppet masters of the story. But this preordained life spins out of control at the Last Supper, where Jesus develops a fondness for drinking blood. On his way to Calvary, he meets Saint Veronica and surrenders to this thirst, thereby acquiring immortality as a vampire. Jesus lives.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary (1985)
, 1h47
Directed by Jean-Luc Godard
Origin France
Genres Drama, Comedy-drama
Themes Films set in Africa, Pregnancy films, Films about religion, Films about sexuality, Erotic films, Films based on the Bible, Portrayals of Jesus in film, Films about virginity
Actors Juliette Binoche, Myriem Roussel, Johan Leysen, Georges Staquet

Marie, a student, works at her father's Swiss gas station and plays basketball for a local team; she claims to be a virgin and maintains a chaste relationship with her boyfriend Joseph, a taxi cab driver and college dropout. Joseph remains loyal to Marie even though she will not sleep with him, and another girl, Juliette, entreats him to be with her. When a passing stranger named Uncle Gabriel (who arrives by jet plane and is accompanied by a small girl who acts as his secretary) informs Marie that she will become pregnant despite remaining chaste, she is at first shocked and confused. For his part, Joseph cannot believe that Marie can be pregnant and a virgin, so he accuses her of sleeping around. Gabriel aggressively schools Joseph to accept Marie's pregnancy, while Marie comes to terms with God's plan through meditations that are sometimes angry and usually punctuated by elemental images of the sun, moon, clouds, flowers, and water.
Walking, Walking
Walking, Walking (1983)
, 2h51
Directed by Ermanno Olmi
Origin Italie
Genres Drama, Historical
Themes Films about religion, Films based on the Bible, Portrayals of Jesus in film
Actors Giulio Paradisi, Giancarlo Santi

À chaque obscurité survenue, Mel, le prêtre-astronome, et Rupo, son disciple, observent le ciel depuis les ruines d'une colline. Or, une nuit précisément, les voici fortement troublés par la présence d'une étoile filante dont l'éclat et l'intensité offrent un caractère inaccoutumé. Mel l'interprète comme l'accomplissement de la Prophétie, celle de la venue du Messie. Ils se mettent donc en route, suivis par de nombreux habitants, issus de toutes conditions sociales : notables, marchands, paysans, artisans, mendiants, voleurs ou prostituées, tous désirent célébrer l'événement et accomplir offrande au Sauveur futur. Au cours de ce long chemin, parsemé de risques et d'obstacles, et, au cours duquel hélas tous ne reviendront pas, deux caravanes s'unissent à eux. Ils découvrent enfin le Rédempteur dans un village retiré et sous les traits d'un nouveau-né. Ils lui rendent témoignage de piété et d'infini respect. Toutefois, il leur faut se méfier d'une ville-garnison voisine, soumise à un monarque despotique et envieux. Les pèlerins, craignant une éventuelle agression, se dispersent en effaçant toute trace de leur passage.
History of the World: Part I
History of the World: Part I (1981)
, 1h32
Directed by Mel Brooks, Brian W. Cook
Origin USA
Genres Comedy, Musical theatre, Musical
Themes Films set in Africa, La préhistoire, Films about religion, Musical films, Portrayals of Jesus in film, Children's films, Histoire de France, French Revolution films
Actors Dom DeLuise, Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman, Mel Brooks, Harvey Korman, Gregory Hines

The film is a parody of the historical spectacular film genre anthology, including the sword and sandal epic and the period costume drama subgenres. The four main segments consist of stories set during the Stone Age, the Roman Empire, the Spanish Inquisition, and the French Revolution. Other intermediate skits include reenactments of the giving of the Ten Commandments and the Last Supper.
Life of Brian
Life of Brian (1979)
, 1h32
Directed by Terry Jones
Origin United-kingdom
Genres Comedy, Fantasy
Themes Films set in Africa, Films about religion, Films based on the Bible, Portrayals of Jesus in film
Actors Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Chris Langham, Eric Idle, Terry Jones

Brian Cohen is born in a stable next door to the one in which Jesus is born, which initially confuses the three wise men who come to praise the future King of the Jews. Brian grows up an idealistic young man who resents the continuing Roman occupation of Judea. While attending Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, Brian becomes infatuated with an attractive young rebel, Judith. His desire for her and hatred for the Romans lead him to join the People's Front of Judea, one of many fractious and bickering independence movements, who spend more time fighting each other than the Romans.
Jesus of Nazareth (miniseries)
Jesus of Nazareth (miniseries) (1977)

Directed by Franco Zeffirelli
Genres Drama, Historical
Themes Films set in Africa, Films about religion, Films about sexuality, Films based on the Bible, Portrayals of Jesus in film, Films about virginity
Actors Robert Powell, Anne Bancroft, Ernest Borgnine, Olivia Hussey, Claudia Cardinale, Abdelmajid Lakhal

The storyline of Jesus of Nazareth is a kind of cinematic Diatessaron, or “Gospel harmony”, blending the narratives of all four New Testament accounts. It takes a fairly naturalistic approach, de-emphasizing special effects when miracles are depicted and presenting Jesus as more or less evenly divine and human. The familiar Christian episodes are presented chronologically: the betrothal, and later marriage, of Mary and Joseph; the Annunciation; the Visitation; the circumcision of John the Baptist; the Nativity of Jesus; the visit of the Magi; the circumcision of Jesus; the Census of Quirinius; the flight into Egypt and Slaughter of the Innocents; the Finding in the Temple; the Baptism of Jesus; the woman caught in adultery; Jesus helping Peter catch the fish; the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15: 11-32); a dialogue between Jesus and Barabbas (non-biblical); Matthew's dinner party; the Sermon on the Mount; debating with Joseph of Arimathea; the curing of the blind man at the pool; the Raising of Lazarus (John 11:43); the Feeding of the Five Thousand; the Entry into Jerusalem; Jesus and the money changers; the Last Supper; the
The Passover Plot
The Passover Plot (1976)
, 1h48
Origin USA
Genres Drama
Themes Films about religion, Films based on the Bible, Portrayals of Jesus in film
Actors Zalman King, Harry Andrews, Hugh Griffith, Dan Hedaya, Donald Pleasence, Scott Wilson

Une secte religieuse, les Zélotes, vole en secret le corps du Christ afin de réaliser la prophétie de sa résurrection et de rallier la population à leur cause...
Godspell
Godspell (1973)
, 1h43
Directed by David Greene
Origin USA
Genres Comedy, Musical
Themes Films set in Africa, Films about religion, Musical films, Films based on the Bible, Films about Jews and Judaism, Films based on plays, Films based on musicals, Portrayals of Jesus in film
Actors Victor Garber, David Haskell, Lynne Thigpen, Merrell Jackson, Gilmer McCormick, Jeffrey Mylett

The structure of the musical is, in large part, retained: a series of parables from the gospel of Matthew, interspersed with musical numbers. Many of the scenes take advantage of well-known sites around an empty, still New York City. John the Baptist gathers a diverse band of youthful disciples to follow and learn from the teachings of Jesus. These disciples then proceed to form a roving acting troupe that enacts Jesus's parables through the streets of New York. They often make references to vaudeville shtick.
Jesus
Jesus (1973)

Directed by P. A. Thomas
Themes Films set in Africa, Films about religion, Films about sexuality, Films based on the Bible, Portrayals of Jesus in film, Films about virginity
Actors Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, Gemini Ganesan, M. N. Nambiar, K. P. Ummer, Jose Prakash, Bahadoor

King Herod has ruled Judea for over 37 years and believes himself to be supreme. When three wise men from the Far East come to visit him, he is initially pleased, but this pleasure turns to anger when he finds out that they have traveled all the way to witness the birth of the son of God. After they depart, he instructs his Prime Minister to kill all children under the age of 2 years. Herod's instructions are carried out, but they don't find the baby Jesus, born in a stable in Bethlehem. Jesus, son of Joseph and virgin Mary, has been destined to lead mankind to a better path but must face many challenges, temptations, betrayal from ones he trusted the most, humiliation, torture, crucification, and resurrection.
Jesus Christ Superstar
Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)
, 1h48
Directed by Norman Jewison
Origin USA
Genres Drama, Historical, Musical
Themes Films about music and musicians, Films about religion, Théâtre, Musical films, Films based on the Bible, Films based on plays, Films based on musicals, Portrayals of Jesus in film
Actors Ted Neeley, Yvonne Elliman, Barry Dennen, Josh Mostel, Paul Thomas, Robert LuPone

The film is framed as a group of performers who travel to the desert to re-enact the Passion of Christ. The film begins with them arriving on a bus, assembling their props, and getting into costume. One of the group (Neeley) is surrounded by the others, puts on a white robe, and emerges as Jesus Christ.