Jesus Of Nazareth Extended Edition -
: Widely considered one of the best screen portrayals of Jesus. Reviewers often note his "otherworldly" presence, enhanced by director Franco Zeffirelli's choice to have him rarely blink on camera.
Perhaps the most contentious and defining claim about Jesus came not from his followers first, but from the question he posed to them: “Who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29). Peter’s answer—“You are the Christ”—became the rock upon which the church was built. But what did it mean to be “Christ” (the anointed one)? Jesus repeatedly veiled his identity in what scholars call the “Messianic Secret,” commanding demons and even healed disciples to remain silent. He preferred the enigmatic title —a term from the book of Daniel that evokes a heavenly, apocalyptic figure who comes on the clouds to receive an everlasting kingdom. jesus of nazareth extended edition
The supporting cast included Olivia Hussey as Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Christopher Plummer as Herod Antipas. The film also featured a number of well-known actors in smaller roles, including Trevor Howard, Martin Evans, and David Warner. : Widely considered one of the best screen
Shorter cuts often smash together the "triumphal entry" and the "cleansing of the temple" into a chaotic 10-minute segment. The Extended Edition separates them by a full half-hour, inserting the Fig Tree parable and the story of the Widow’s Mite. This allows the emotional whiplash of Holy Week to feel more organic. He preferred the enigmatic title —a term from
Into this volatile mixture stepped Jesus, likely born between 4 and 6 BCE (a dating error by the monk Dionysius Exiguus in the 6th century places his birth a few years off). He grew up in Nazareth, a tiny, insignificant village in Galilee, a region known for its mixed population and its reputation for being a backwater—hence the later taunt, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). As a tekton (traditionally translated as “carpenter” but more accurately a craftsman or builder), Jesus belonged to the peasant artisan class. He was not wealthy, but he was literate and deeply versed in the Hebrew Scriptures, as evidenced by his synagogue reading from the scroll of Isaiah (Luke 4).
If you want the highest quality "complete" experience, look for these specific releases: Spanish Blu-ray (V2.0 "Uncut"):
The extended edition of "Jesus of Nazareth" is available on DVD and Blu-ray, and can be streamed on a number of online platforms. The film has been released in a number of different formats over the years, including a 40th-anniversary edition that features a number of special features and behind-the-scenes documentaries.
