Jesus (1999) User Reviews (103)

very moving...

[shantaar-1 · 7/10 · 21 June 2004]

Seeing Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" made me want to re-watch this CBS Mini-series. What a compassionate, loving movie! Jeremy Sisto was excellent in the title role. This film was helped greatly by good music and costumes and excellent F/X. The most difficult thing about "Jesus" is it's flawed script and dumbed-down dialogue. Thats OK, it more than makes up for it. Sisto's Jesus is so human, so full of love and compassion. Debra Messing was an fine choice for Mary Magdalene and Jaqueline Bisset a surprisingly effective Mary.

They take lots of chances. Jesus is shown as the perfect priest, telling Mary of Bethany that his "life is not my own" and loving everyone as His Mother, sister and brother. What a beautiful message! The final hour of the film is the the best part, The brutal crucification and the playing of "Pie Jesu" over Jesus' burial moved me to tears. The resurrected Christ is shown joyful and smiling!!!!! This finally is Jesus, who could find joy in clear skies and still waters, who tell his apostles, in a brilliantly done "upper room" that he is "with them always". In other films they act like the story is over after Easter Sunday. In "Jesus" we know it is just beginning. Highly recommended.

Decent TV mini-series dealing with the greatest story of all time as it's never been told before.

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 25 April 2019]

Expensively mounted Biblical production with all star-cast and spectacularly filmed in North Africa ; 2000 years ago one man changed the world forever. A colorful version of Jesus Christ's life with a true international all-star-epic treatment and being marvellously shot . This highly regarded epic deals with a dramatic recreation of the life of Jesus Christ from his childhood , evangelization , Crucifixion , Resurrection , through the Ascention . Concerning about the wonderful life, work and death of Jesus as we know it from the Bible. Interesting retelling at the life and teachings of Christ (Jeremy Sisto) from a political , historical and religious view point . The film includes all of the major events referred to in the New Testament with descriptive Biblical passages ; his birth in Bethlehem , his existence in desert tempted by Satan (Jeroen Krabbe) , there Jesus knows he has a destiny to fulfill ; his subsequent baptism by John the Baptist (David O'Hara) ; his relation to Joseph (Armin Mueller-Stahl) , Mary (Jacqueline Bisset ) and Mary Magdalene (Debra Messing), the miracle of the Canaan wedding in which Jesus asks to have the amphora filled with water and transforms it into wine , the miracles as cripples walking , blind men seeing , Lazarus resurrection ; the fishes and the loaves ; his relationship to 12 apostles and so on . As his followers disciples are already slowly beginning to gather around Jesus . Through miracles , Jesus succeeds in allaying the doubts of Simon the Fisher called Peter (Luca Zingaretti) and even those of Thomas, the skeptic , and later on , Matthew (Sebastian Knapp) the tax collector who becomes a follower of Jesus, despite the other disciples' mistrust. Jesus Christ's journey from Galilee to Golgotha is portrayed here in thought-provoking as well as original treatment , icluding contemporary scenes . The film also adds other characters and known episodes as the baptism carried out by John , when a glowing dove appears and a voice calls Jesus by name and Herod Antipas (Luca Barbareschi) , successor to Herod the Great and John the Baptist's (David O'Hara) beheading as Salome's (Pession) price for dancing for Herod . Along the way Jesus is betrayed and detained and being sent back and forth between Caiphas (Christian Kohlund), Pontius Pilate (Gary Oldman) and Herod in a cruel farce, being brutally whipped all the while, his disciples hide in fear .

Breathtaking story set in Christ times with emphasis in lavish costumes and crowds . This is an impressive story of the life of Jesus Christ from his birth in Bethlehem by means of flashbacks , to his baptism, ministry, Crucifixion , death, resurrection, and subsequent ascension . Filmed on a relatively grand scale , being efficiently directed by Roger Young . However , not completely reverential at some Biblical characters such as Judas Iscariote , Pontius Pilate and Barrabbas portraying the man less a thief than as a political revolutionary . And a strange appearance by Satan dressed in modern clothes who shows Jesus retreated in desert all the unhappiness that his teachings will one day bring to humanity and offers him in exchange real, unlimited power over the Earth. Life of Christ is intelligently told , including glowing cinematography , an attractive visual style , memorable soundtrack by Patrick Williams and excellent cast giving larger-than-life interpretation . Good-looking Jeremy Sisto in exactly the right role , he gives a dedicated effort at the character , his acting has power , nobility , subtlety , though extreme sympathy . However , the crucifixion scene was really criticized and audience was offended for its lack of authenticity and unrealistic , there shows up a rare man not dressed as a Roman who nails Jesus to the cross. It also received awful critiques due to Jeremy Sisto's youthful, , in fact , in the film he was 25 years old when he played 33 year-old Jesus . Fine support cast , such as : Gary Oldman as Pontius Pilate , Claudio Amendola as the Zeolet leader Barabbas , Luca Zingaretti as Peter , David O'Hara as John The Baptist , Thomas Lockyer as Judas Iscariot , Sebastian Knapp as Matthew , Ian Duncan as John and Sean Harris as Thomas , among others .

This greatest story of all time results to be a long epic , mostly Italian , being shot in big scope and glimmer color by De Luxe , well photographed by Raffaele Mertes , filmed on usual location in Ouarzazate, Morocco , adding an evocative and moving musical score by Patrick Williams . The motion picture financed by Lube Lux Vide/Betafilm , British Sky Broadcasting , in association with RAI and was professionally directed by Roger Young . Roger is a good craftsman usually shooting films for television, and pilots. Later he moved on to mini-series, which has been the joy of his career, winning two more DGA awards, and working all over the world . He shot various episodes of the prestigious ¨Bible series¨ , such as : Joseph , Moses , Paulus of Tarso , Salomon and Barrabbas .

¨Jesus¨ is the yardstick by which all Jesus movies are to be measure . Other pictures dealing with his divine presence are the following ones : ¨King of Kings¨ (released in 1927) , first silent version by Cecil B. DeMille with H.B. Wagner ; ¨King of Kings¨1961 by Nicholas Ray with Jeffrey Hunter , Robert Ryan , Hurd Hatfield , Rip Torn , Harry Guardino , Carmen Sevilla , ¨The greatest story ever told¨ (1965) by George Stevens with Max Von Sidow , Charlton Heston , Jose Ferrer , Sidney Poitier , Claude Rains ; ¨Gospel according to Matthew¨ by Pier Paolo Pasolini with Enrique Irazoqui as Jesus ; ¨Jesus Christ Superstar¨(1977) by Norman Jewison with Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson ; ¨Jesus de Nazareth¨(1977) by Franco Zeffirelli with Robert Powell , Olivia Hussey , James Mason , Laurence Olivier , Anne Brancfort , Fernando Rey ; ¨Last temptation of Christ¨ by Martin Scorsese with Willem Dafoe , David Bowie , Harvey Keitel , Ian Holm , Harry Dean Staton ; and ¨The Passion of the Christ¨ (2004) by Mel Gibson with James Cazievel , Maia Morgenstern and Monica Belucci .

The Human Jesus

[rixter · 7/10 · 18 May 2000]

I am glad that someone has finally portrayed Jesus as a man and not as an angelic Superman. This is a Jesus that I could follow. A Jesus that joked with his friends and yet they knew He was more than just a man. A Jesus who could fall into temptation and yet knew he had a higher calling. I'm sure that some will be upset with Sisto's Jesus as being TOO modern, but he portrayed Him as a Christ for all the ages. I wish that more biblical movies would have their characters as human beings and not cardboard cut-outs.

A moving TV movie

[Euclid74 · 13 November 2004]

I recently rented this version of the story of Jesus and find myself impressed with its message. This vision of Jesus focuses on his humanity and mission, rather than on his divinity. Jeremy Sisto captures a happy Jesus with the weight of salvation on his shoulders. Jacqueline Bisset and Debra Messing find a solid voice as two of the most important women in the story of Jesus. I believe the movie gives a unique and balanced viewpoint of Jesus, different from the too-divine vision of "The Greatest Story Ever Told" and the too-human vision of "The Last Temptation of Christ" and without the gore of "The Passion." Christians and fans of historical cinema would enjoy this movie, its message, and its style.

Pro's and Con's

[leeforpresident35 · 6/10 · 12 October 2008]

I enjoyed this film immensely I loved Jesus of Nazareth too, but this Jesus laughs,cries, but most importantly.....HE BLINKS HIS EYES!!!!! Seeing G.W. Bailey as Livio it kept reminding me of the "Police Academy" movies. Gary Oldman's Pilate, was very accurate to the description by Josephus, of Pilate's cruelty. I'm probably going to be offending a lot of catholics here, but the storyline was way too Catholicized for my taste. The baptism for example, John the Baptizer puts a cupped handful of water while Jesus is kneeling in the Jordan "Puddle" on Jesus' head the Greek word for baptize is BAPTIZO which means to IMMERSE in the crucifixion scene it looks like a Jew is doing the nailing, The Romans were the ones who did the nailing. and why could they not use the entire Greek Latin and Hebrew on the Title instead of just INRI?? Jaqueline Bisset I believe is too much of a sex symbol to play the Virgin Mary.

Somehow, not so good

[denis888 · 6/10 · 13 November 2006]

I thought I would like it more. But this long, far too long film left me mostly bored and tired. Even with 2 episodes, it is far too prolonged and doesn't strike some inner nerve, it doesn't move me and never touch me the way it should touch upon every believer's soul. What happened? Do actors play badly? No, the parts of Pontius Pilate, the devil and some of the 12 Apostles are all very good and fresh. The worst parts are the parts (no pun intended) of Jesus Himself and John The Baptist. They seem to be so insipid, so weak and so languid that one may ask - Are these people who ignited so many hearts? If that were a real Jesus, I'd never follow him. I follow Jesus who can ignite and comfort. The long, endless dialogs, some unnecessary additions to the Messiah's words, the ultimately bad Desert Temptation scene are among the worst here, as well as the very bad final sequence. I waited for more... but still, the Jesus film with Brian Deacon is still the best here.

very moving...

[shantaar-1 · 7/10 · 21 June 2004]

Seeing Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" Made me want to re-watch this CBS mini-series. What a compassionate loving movie! Jeremy Sisto was excellent in the title role. This film was helped greatly by good music and costumes and excellent F/X. The worst thing about "Jesus" is it's weak script and dumbed-down dialogue. That's OK, it more than makes up for it. Sisto's Jesus is so humane, so full of warmth and purpose. Debra Messing does a fine job as Mary Magdalene and Jaqueline Bisset is surprisingly effective as Mary.

they take a lot of chances, Jesus is shown as the perfect priest, telling Mary of Bethany that "my life is not my own" and loving everyone as His mother, sister, brother. What a beautiful message! The final hour of the film is the best part. The brutal crucification and the playing of "Pie Jesu" over Jesus' burial moved me to tears. The resurrected Jesus is shown joyful and smiling. This is Jesus, the Son of Man who could find joy in clear skies and still waters. Finally in a beautifully done "upper room" we see Jesus assure his apostles and mother that he is "with you always" . highly recommended.

This Story is Vapid and Weak

[furirosa · 1/10 · 18 November 2000]

This is yet another attempt to show a more "human" Jesus, and ends up showing him as indecisive, hesitant, weak, and needing the help and guidance of a few mortals to get him through. That is hardly the Jesus most Christians believe in. On the positive side, it does show a more playful and humorous Jesus, instead of merely a stoic and sterile portrayal. But this is quickly drowned out in the story's failures. By far the biggest fault in this story is that it starts off from the very beginning with an *agenda* - that is the Jews are completely blameless and all the guilt falls on the Romans. It even warps scripture to portray this. In the Gospels you read how Jesus makes attacks on hypocricy and the false piety of the scribes and Pharisees; in this film they're nowhere to be seen. For the Sermon on the Mound Jesus is mocked and argued down. In many instances Jesus looks more like just some guy chosen to be the Christ, instead of a Messiah sent from God. The second problem with the story is that it's just too hard to tell the Gospel in 4 tv hours. And some of that is wasted on a cool looking Satan in an Armani suit leaving the Gospels altogether and taking Jesus on a time trip. In short, if you want a far more uplifting and accurate portrayal, see Zeferelli's "Jesus of Nazareth". It's still the creme de la creme of the story of Jesus, and after seeing it you'll know how weak Jesus (1999) really is.

The Jesus I know, who laughs and sees the big picture

[Kayess · 10/10 · 23 April 2000]

This is the best version of a Jesus film I have ever seen. Realistic, made so by the human emotions and the diverse personal viewpoints casually merged with the storyline. It seems everyone gets to see it from their perspective without the story of Jesus losing the focal point..Jesus.. Jesus is portrayed as I have come to see Him. Truly the Son of God while having lived as a human being. Laughed, joking, crying, in pain, alone and truly human while still doing the will of the Father and triumphing gloriously. I couldn't stop crying throughout, it was as if I was there. "Jesus" is brought without giving offense to Christians and non-christians alike. Brilliantly played by Jeremy Sisto, giving Jesus the human side so sadly lacking because of the mostly "holy" attitude forced upon Jesus in earlier films. A special mention for Jeroen Krabbé who excellently portrayed the devil in a way that follows the description the Bible brings, far from weak but wily, devious, power hungry, scared and very much aware of his position in the grand scheme of things and of his ultimate defeat. The filmography, lighting and scenery were done exceptionally and add to the experience. Heartily recommended.

This movie provided insight on the life and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

[laurenjunghwa · 7/10 · 4 June 2014]

I think that this movie clearly depicted the life of Jesus, from birth to resurrection. I think that it gave a lot more insight of the life of Jesus, and it gave me a better understanding of the significance of the laws God wanted his people to abide by. The laws taught humans how to be humans, and it continues to help people realize how to convert their negative emotions and consciousness into something positive. It was evident that Jesus' main priority was to try and install a goodness within people, he spread God's will and touch as many hearts as possible. Despite the evil intentions of others, especially in the movie where the devil came and tempted Jesus, he still retained a sense of purity within him.

I think it was significant for me to watch this movie because I understand what my Grandparents stand for. I also used to think that Christianity was an illusion, as there was no verification of the existence of Christ. But now that i've watched this movie, I understand how much his teachings effected others and how Christians do not need evidence to know that Jesus existed, they rely on faith.

The "Wired" of Jesus films

[lsgoose · 2/10 · 25 April 2000]

What a mess this film is! This unneeded "update" of the story of Jesus Christ has the depth (and feel) of a Calvin Klein commercial. I guess they felt that no one would pay attention unless the dialogue was written to sound like a 1990's soap opera set in Los Angeles...and the devil made to seem like a game show host. I appreciate the effort, but unlike an earlier attempt at "modernizing" the Jesus story ("Jesus Christ Superstar"), this thing falls completely flat and really has a ludicrous, bad feeling to it...the power of the story is completely lost.

Refreshing...

[Ved · 9/10 · 18 May 2000]

From the opening sequences of the film, I knew this would be a "different" movie about Jesus from others I had seen. I am not implying, by any means, that there is anything "faulty" about other versions, such as "Jesus of Nazareth" and "The Greatest Story Ever Told". Both are quite accurate and reverent accounts of Jesus Christ's life and ministry, and are among my favorite re-tellings of Jesus' story. I also extend praise to "The Last Temptation of Christ", a great production as well, because it proposes a unique, albeit controversial, question on what Christ's significance and impact on humanity would have been if he had not died on the cross. What makes "Jesus" one-of-a-kind is that it takes the main elements of the three aforementioned films and skillfully blends them into a portrait of Christ as a man who was, very much, both human--experiencing temptations and doubts, and having wants and needs such as the desire to lead an average life: working as a carpenter, possibly marrying and raising a family--and divine, performing miracles and healing the sick to support the message of God's love of all humankind. "Jesus" is definitely a fresh, yet dignified and very believable depiction of a man, his life and mission, all of which continue to be somewhat of a mystery to many.

"I liked it"...she said defensively...

[racheldc · 7/10 · 21 April 2003]

I'll admit to having a particular affection for Jesus movies....I've been hooked ever since Jeffrey Hunter's inappropriately blue eyes and blonde hair captured my imagination as a child. Few Easters have passed without me renting King of Kings from Blockbuster. Okay...so I fast forward a lot and only watch my favorite parts.... but that being said, I must admit to liking the Jesus portrayed by Jeremy Sisto. This is the first time that I really felt (at times) that I could picture how it might really have been.

The movie goes over the top periodically (okay...frequently) and uses "creative license" liberally, but never-the-less, many of the characters felt like three dimensional people to me. Mary Magdalene's couture was a hoot, but the essense of the person still rang true.

The movie as a whole is flawed. And there are parts that are silly enough to make me cringe. But there are also individual scenes that are so well done that I embrace the movie despite my reservations. (I'm thinking of scene where Jesus heals the lame man, for instance.)

I didn't rent King of Kings this year. This movie sufficed.

Blasphemous Soap-Opera Account of Christ's Life

[rickstill · 1/10 · 11 September 2004]

Poor casting choices and terrible dialogue coupled with cheesie camera angles and bad cinematic clichés make this a very forgettable journey into biblical history. In this film, Christ seems to be oblivious to his mission as he stumbles through Israel with a coy grin and too much Ben Nye. A few good actors get lost in the jumble. My feeling is that the makers of this film wanted to humanize Jesus. This is demonstrated early on as the movie wallows in Jesus's early years, spending at least 30 dull minutes dwelling on a girl who is infatuated with Jesus and wants to marry him. Later, we get to see Jesus turn water to wine at his cousin's wedding. This miracle is reduced to a ridiculous parlor trick, as are the rest of his miracles throughout this film. This is a great example of why people who don't understand the Bible shouldn't make movies about the Bible. Don't buy it, don't rent it. Forget it. Read the bible instead.

God made the world in six days. This film looks like it was made in two.

Less passion, more compassion

[livewire-6 · 28 March 2004]

Forget Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ". "Jesus", the television mini-series first aired in 1999, and reprised (the second half only) in March 2004, offers a more comprehensive view of Jesus' ministry, mission, death and resurrection. It provides a better understanding of the reason for His death -- not so much the result of political infighting between Romans and Jews, as Jesus' acceptance of His Father's will that humanity should be redeemed by one deed, one life of perfect obedience and love.

Sure, there are some historical improbabilities in the mini-series. For one thing, Pilate (Gary Oldman) and Herod are shown as being on good terms with each other. The Gospels tell us they did not become friends until the day Jesus died. The calling of the apostles looks amusingly as if Jesus is choosing up sides for a game of scrub, followed by a group hug.

But the crucifixion scene is accurate in its detail, yet not as excruciating (I use the term deliberately because it is derived from the Latin noun "crux" or cross) as Gibson's gorefest.

There are also some other very nice touches. Chief among them is Jesus' temptation by Satan, played by Jeroen Krabbe, attired as a 21st-century corporate executive. Satan tries to convince Jesus (Jeremy Sisto) that His sacrifice will be in vain because humanity will use religion to perpetrate acts of hatred such as the Crusades. He suggests that, with a wave of His hand, Jesus can make humans and life on earth perfect. But that would mean denying people freedom of choice. Jesus resists the temptation, believing in the power of love freely chosen.

Debra Messing ("Will and Grace") turns in a very creditable performance as Mary Magdalene. So does Jacqueline Bisset as Mary, the mother of Jesus. The raising of Lazarus is a very powerful scene, and Jesus' own resurrection goes beyond the empty tomb to its effect on the apostles -- something Gibson fails to show.

"Jesus", the TV miniseries, succeeds where Gibson's movie fails -- by showing less passion, and more compassion.

Jesus {Parts I & II} (Roger Young, 1999; TV) **1/2

[Bunuel1976 · 6/10 · 12 April 2011]

Needless to say, I was somewhat wary of going through yet another 3-hour visualization of Christ's life (which had been partly shot in Malta, by the way!), especially as the other efforts I had previously watched from this "Bible-In-Pictures" TV series were hardly inspiring! That said, this emerged a somewhat more successful venture with some unexpected and rather interesting touches (but more on that later) to complement an authentic sense of time and place (actually a common trait throughout the series).

To begin with, this presents an over-age Joseph (Armin Mueller-Stahl, who is oddly shown to die – presumably of a stroke or heart-attack – when his hope of the Jews' deliverance are quashed by his laid-back and apparently indecisive son!) and Mary (Jacqueline Bisset – who, for no very good reason, follows Christ through most of his exploits) to Jeremy Sisto's boyish (and, frankly, too human) Jesus. In fact, the latter seems just as ready to engage in a dance and games-playing as he is in healing or generally spreading the Word of God (he is also involved in a romance – which, of course, he has to suppress – though not with Mary Magdalene but rather with Mary, sister of Lazarus)! Incidentally, the first half of the film does seem like merely a succession of miracles with little concerning what Christ was really all about!; of course, this aspect is adequately addressed in Part II – but I think that His 'mission statement', so to speak, should have been upfront rather than feeling like an afterthought!

Thankfully, to liven things up lest the over-familiarity of it all should render events stale and dull, the supporting cast is an eclectic bunch of actors. The more notable were Gary Oldman (as a rather depraved Pilate), Luca Barbareschi (yes, he of CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST {1980}, as Herod Antipas!), G.W. Bailey (whom I basically knew from 5 "Police Academy" movies where he had been a rather memorable foil to the gang, as a fictional and wittily shrewd Roman adviser to both rulers – to the court's delight, he even turns Jesus' outburst at the temple into a mini-play!) and Jeroen Krabbe' (as a flamboyant Satan, appearing to Jesus intermittently throughout – sometimes replaced by a sultry-looking female! - in modern dress and leading him through pages from future history to make a case that Mankind would prove ungrateful for His ultimate sacrifice).

The apostles, of course, get their due (notably Peter, Thomas and Judas – it is intriguing that his betrayal is depicted here as having been an attempt to provoke the Jews into a collective uprising against the oppressive Roman forces!) though, typically, a few of them emerge as mere ciphers. The passion and death sequences are par for the course, though this particular Jesus does seem to externalize the bodily harm somewhat more vociferously (again, perhaps as a sign that he was not merely divine).

For the record, director Young also tackled the lives of Joseph – the one who was sold to Egypt by his brothers, that is, not Jesus' adoptive father – and Moses (both in 1995), Solomon (in 1997) and Saint Paul (in 2000). Incidentally, the series also individually tackled the characters of Saint Joseph and Mary Magdalene (both in 2000) as well as Judas and Thomas (both in 2001)! In the end, while many of these historical figures have been revived in TV mini-serieses over the last two decades, hardly any have left a lasting impact (unlike the admittedly less realistic and usually more naïve examples from the Golden Age of Epic movie-making!)...

Not too bad

[cowgirlcath · 6/10 · 13 April 2022]

Follows the Bible well and not too poorly delivered. I'm impressed with the acting and ability to stick with scripture mostly but the part where Peter hears the cock crow the third time and Jesus gives a look like "see I told you so" Was kinda weird. Jesus wouldn't have done that. Our consciences would convict us and He already told Peter that would happen, he would have realized. Other than that, I think Debra Messing was underutilized but otherwise a pretty good rendition.

stop fighting

[marciserentant · 7/10 · 31 March 2018]

What I liked the most for this version of Jesus-picture, is the point of view that Jesus has broken with the tradition of his people to fight for the Promised Land. No more war but look out for peace and freedom in your hearth and the hearth of mankind. It's a very eastern, almost Budhistic view of life.So Jesus didn't want to follow the Zelotes uprating while the sword doesn't (didn't) bring peace. This is a nice switch after the God of wrath in the series starting by Adam and Eve to Esther at the end. Well done.

God save us

[JaniceBackFromTheDead · 3/10 · 26 January 2005]

To say that this Jesus blew righteous chunks is to insult the blowing of chunks everywhere. Hubby and I lasted five minutes with the bad Jesus movie, during which time we groaned, we laughed, we mocked the production values. I know you're dying of curiosity, so let me just highlight a few aspects of Really Bad Jesus Movies and How to Avoid Them.

1. "Holy" does not equal "Constipated." Bear this in mind while watching.

2. If the actor's idea of Jesus involves a lot of turning his face into the light and attempting to look "beatific" WHILE playing the Son of God as an irrevocably constipated surfer-dude, change the channel.

3. A man whose personal charisma induced people to fundamentally change their lives and beliefs probably didn't deliver his sermons like Al Gore on 'ludes. Also, see #1 above for further clarification.

4. If the production values for the Walking on Water scene resemble something filmed in your bathtub, change the channel. Also, if the Walking on Water scene reminds you of the old Cars video for "It's Magic," just give up and go to bed.

5. I am fairly certain that the inhabitants of the Holy Land did not punctuate every utterance by either flailing their arms, rolling their eyes beseechingly heavenward, or dropping to their knees.

6. Overwrought soundtrack? Why yes, yes it is. NEXT!

7. Lots of eyeliner = visual shorthand for morally compromised. See: Mary Magdalene and Judas. It makes you want to yell at the screen: "No, Jesus! Don't trust him! Don't you see he's just a shill for Mary Kay? This can only end badly!"

8. Language--for folks brought up with the King James version, hearing classic Biblical quotes spoken as, "you have little faith," makes you long for Aramaic.

9. The soft focus and back lighting. Please. It's just too Touched By An Angel to be taken seriously. Holy. We GET IT.

10. Repeat after me: Jesus? Not a hippy. I know he wore robes and sandals and had longish hair and a beard, but there's a difference between period-appropriate costuming and hippie wear. The former actually involves some grooming.

There. I hope my list will be helpful to you, particularly in the two weeks before Easter, when Jesuses (Jesii?) will be everywhere. Watch at your own risk.

Amazing....

[HailSisto · 10/10 · 17 July 2003]

After becoming enchanted by Jeremy Sisto in the recent TNT "Caesar" I bought this film.

Being a Christian, I have always been left flat by the way Jesus is portrayed in film and pulpit alike. For Christ to have successfully died for my sins, He had to be like me. He had to share my emotions, my temptations, and my pain as well as my happiness, joy and love of life. He had to triumph over those human weaknesses when I can not. IF it were not so, He did not complete God's plan. Sisto's portrayal did not leave me disappointed in him, OR in my Christ.

Jesus in this film is a man who loves life, loves people, and loves his God. This is not a Jesus who seems to withdraw into the knowledge that he is destined for early death, but rather embraces those for whom he will die.

The Crucifiction scene left me shaken and on my knees in praise and thanksgiving. This Jesus did not meekly or stoically have his life taken. The howls and screams of pain and rejection from his God left me in tears and weak. When crying to God asking why he had forsaken him, every muscle in Sisto's body was shaking. Truly a shattering event when you have come to see your Lord in this man's portrayal of the Christ.

When Christ says he will be with us "always" I believe him and I am thankful.

Truly a masterpiece, but without Jeremy Sisto's performance and vision, I'm not sure this film works as well. With it, it's a 10 of 10.

not a bad effort

[lollyluvuk · 7/10 · 12 July 2006]

While this a very good version I applaud a more human portrayal of Jesus, they have taken a lot of liberties with it and as another user comment says ..they have dumbed down the language a lot. The bit I found most disappointing was the rewriting of Jesus's baptism whereas in the bible john the baptist doesn't want to baptise Jesus saying "I have need to be baptised of thee, and comest thou to me?" and in this version he says "confess your sins and repent" huh!!!! I might be picking hairs but Joseph and Mary did have more children after Jesus but this version does give the impression Jesus was an only child but thats not new with movies based on Jesus's life. As versions go I rate this second, only "jesus of Nazareth" is better, after seeing Mel Gibson's "passion of Christ" recently and finding it totally unrealistic and weird...I think Mel has just done way to many action movies. The actors were all good although I felt Gary oldman playing pontius pilate lacked gravitas also just a bit more of the sermon of the mount would have been nice but that was just a personal taste thing. Overall it was an enjoyable watch even though you do lose a lot of what he did because of time restraints

Worst Jesus movie that I've ever seen!

[everaftergirl · 1/10 · 3 May 2012]

Shame on the makers of this film. I agree, this movie is an abomination! In this version, John the Baptist tells Jesus to repent of his sins. Jesus had NO sins! That's why He was able to redeem us of our sins when He was crucified. Mother Mary has to prompt Jesus to go out into the world to find His way??! WRONG! Jesus needed NO prompting to do God's will and accomplish His mission. Jesus knew exactly who he was from the time he was a small child, which is why he stayed in His Father's Temple at 12 years old. Nothing in this film is scripturally accurate! It's disgusting and pathetic. Watch "Jesus of Nazareth" starring Robert Powell, which is the closest-to-the-truth film version that you will find about our Lord Jesus Christ.

A Very Moving And Unique Bible Movie, Despite A Few Flaws.

[cinephile-27690 · 9/10 · 16 May 2020]

Jesus is a made for TV movie from 1999 that retells the greatest and most famous of all stories-the life of Jesus as told in The Gospels. However, the movie also takes liberties with The Bible, which at times makes it a compelling perspective on the most influential person in history.

Jesus Christ Himself is played by Jeremy Sisto(who is actually a Buddhist that left Catholicism). This film not only follows the 4 Gospels, but it also speculates on His human side. For theological background, Christianity teaches that Jesus was not just a man but God in the flesh.

The Bible and many close movies adaptations of it portray Jesus as a holy and perfect man, and He was. I won't argue otherwise. However, it's also important to recognize His humanity as well. He struggled with sin, even if He never committed any, see Matthew 4:1-11.

It is often hard to portray this to film. One of my favorite Biblically inspired movies, The Last Temptation of Christ, was Martin Scorsese's view of this theological point, and that had violent results from conservative Christians. And a more recent film, The Young Messiah, does this with a youthful Jesus and has caused some polarizing views.

I happen to love both of these movies, and I admire this one as well. If you want a Scripture to script adaptation, this may not be the best fit for you. But if you are interested in another take on it, this is highly recommended.

Many Biblical points on Jesus DO occur in the movie. EG, The Easter Story(Palm Sunday-The Resurrection) is very Gospel based. We also see miracles like Walking on Water, Water Into Wine, and The Catching of Fish, and His teachings are portrayed often.

Some are shown in action rather than taught. For example, someone hits Jesus and asks Him to hit him back. Instead, Jesus turns his cheek and asks him to hit the other, echoing what Jesus taught in Matthew 5:39.

Things like this are what make Jesus, the movie, well worth seeing. However, there are some issues I had with the movie:

1. 23 minutes in, Jesus hears how Mary got pregnant with Him, however, this is the first Biblical thing to happen in the movie. It takes 23 minutes to get to The Bible-based stuff. Again, I don't mind some creative liberties in certain circumstances, but since this is also Gospel-based, I wished it wouldn't take so long to GET Biblical, if that makes sense.

2. 34 minutes in, the story of Jesus at the Temple when He was 12 happens. This can be found in Luke 2:41-52. It's said in the movie that this happened 20 years ago, and Jesus has not preached yet. This can't be Biblically OR mathematically.

Luke 3:23 says he was about 30 when He began preaching and he preached for about 3 years. Assuming He was 30 when He started preaching, that causes a problem. Though, since the number is an estimate, I guess it's not a huge flaw. That was just a perk I had.

3. Jesus asks John The Baptist to be baptized the night before He is. We are told in the Gospels that He asked to be baptized right away. Again, that's minor, but still a perk.

Also, John says He can be baptized if He confesses His sins. We know form 2 Corinthians 5:21 that Jesus was sinless, and yet Jesus never addresses this. The scene also ends and cuts to the baptism. That could have been the procedure for a baptism from a historical standpoint, but that still seemed a bit off.

So Jesus, the movie, has some flaws. But the good most certainly outweighs the bad and the movie is therefore well worth seeing.

I also found an interest in Satan's role in the movie. He's not a scary black ghost or anything cliche like that, he's a regular guy in a business suit. He follows the same temptations that he does in Matthew 4(Bread to Stone, Worship Me, etc.), but He also tries to convince Jesus to not be crucified while in Gethsemane by showing Him that the Crusades and other wicked acts will be done in His name.

Jesus rejects this temptation as well, and suffers for the world's sins. He knows that this will happen, but He also understands that those who truly love and serve Him will gain eternal life due to His death and Resurrection. This was actually my favorite part of the MOVIE, and I saw that part twice due to my emotion for it.

In the end, Jesus DOES die for us and rises again, the core message of the Gospels, and the movie. Again, there's many Biblical things in the movie even if interpretation is added in. And the ending is among the most powerful of any Jesus film I have ever seen.

While I wouldn't rank this with the likes of, say, The Passion of the Christ or Jesus of Nazareth, I was still moved by this movie, and I would see it again.

For Christians, I highly recommend it if you are open to the non-Biblical parts. Anyone else should see it as an uplifting 3 hour pass time.

No matter if you are Christian, of another faith, or even atheist, there is enough here to satisfy the spirituality of any viewer.

Note: This review was originally written in March and was edited in May.

A very good Bible movie

[maxkaemmerer · 7/10 · 1 July 2011]

Where I did not like this movie's depiction of Jesus so much, I prefer its Roman scenes over "Jesus of Nazareth (1977)", which has the better Jesus but the weaker Pilate. Especially the theater scene was very original. And then there are the flash-forwards to the Crusades, inquisition and world-wide war.

The costumes, style and scenery are nearly perfect.

Actors: Jeremy Sisto does an okay job as Jesus, looks the way you'd expect him to. Thomas Lockyer plays a convincingly guilt-stricken Judas. Jeroen Krabbé as Satan fulfilled his duty as well. The one who steals the show and the movie's big selling point, of course, is Gary Oldman as Pontius Pilate. A most intriguing villain.

The idea of Pilate plotting Jesus' death after the Jews' backs also worked for the movie, but it is not very Biblical. In fact, the gospels state that Pilate tried to have him freed (John 19:12). There are other nit-picks I could offer, but I'll refrain from it.

Some other lasting images include the Last Supper scene and the movie's unconventional devil. Satan's presence in the movie is stretched out very inventively, but failed to convince me fully.

But, then again, will we ever have THE perfect Bible movie? Still, I definitely recommend this one.

Blasphemy!!!!! A work of Trash!

[weepingwillow81 · 1/10 · 25 April 2006]

I was hideously appalled at this Soap-Opera version of the Life of Jesus. Jeremy Sisto did not portray Jesus in a divine light. I was unconvinced that his character even had a clue he was the Son of God. He acted like it was a surprise. Like Jesus woke up one morning and went, "I am the Son of God?"...."No Way"..... blasphemy. Jesus did Fully GOD and fully man. Period! He knew always!

The Fact is that Jesus was never in love with Mary. Either Martha's sister or the prostitute. This film adds so many unbiblical ideals, that 90% of the movie is not even found in scripture. The bible never showed Jesus' mother Mary and Mary Magdalene as friends.

There are so many biblical screw-ups in this film. My advice is do not watch it. It will lead you away from the scriptures. It will put ideas in your head about the Bible which are not true. Avoid this blasphemous work of trash and read your bible. There is the only true account of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. I ordered it off of Amazon. I am taking it tomorrow to sell. Trash!