One of the first films to have actors walking in and out of screen.
This early extravaganza film had over 300 extras, used 25 different sets, and in 1906 was the biggest hit that French filmmaking had ever seen. It was Gaumont Film Company's big blockbuster.
Most scenes in this early film has all the action taking place in front of a still camera. However, one scene "Climbing Golgotha", includes a early innovative sweeping pan shot.
At the time this film was made, its director/producer, Alice Guy, was also the head of Gaumont film production.
During a screening in the 1940s in Argentina, an old man, for whom this was his first experience with 'moving pictures', was so taken in and enraged from seeing Judas betray Jesus that he pulled out a gun and started firing at the screen, intent on stopping him from betraying Jesus again.