Jesus

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.

I have just recently rented "Jesus" and I have watched it about 3 times and I'll probably eventually buy it. I absolutely loved this interpretation of Jesus and feel that this movie has brought me closer to him. I now have a more lovable, happy, and caring picture of Jesus in my mind, not that I didn't think of him that way before, it's just that this movie puts across a side of Jesus that we have not often seen in other movies. Watching this movie has just brought him to life for me and (even though I undoubtedly knew that he was real before) makes him seem even more real to me now. I love the fact, like so many others, that this movie portrayed Jesus to be HUMAN, happy, laughing, crying, and all the other emotions that we all, as humans, go through. Only he was not just any human. My absolute favorite part in the movie is when Jesus is crucified. Even though it might not have been long enough, it still captured the pain and agony that Jesus felt. It made my heart break watching this scene, and made me love him and appreciate him even more for the price he paid for us.

After so many versions, he iwas the main motif to see this serie. With the good believe than he deserves this role. And he will do a good job. And, not surprising, he does . His portrait of the Savior is moving, in spring colors crafted. Almost a a teenager in his smile, dance , answers. Human in profound sense, defined by smile and tone of words and simplicity of gestures. Ad, not less, by well crafted innocence air.

In same measure, serious reserves about innovations, from the relation with Mary , sister of Lazarus to the final temptation of Satan. A religious film , but not for its theme. For emotion guiding you scene by scene.

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.

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.