Jesus of Nazareth: The Complete Miniseries - 40th Anniversary Edition [DVD]

Jesus of Nazareth: The Complete Miniseries 40th Anniversary Blu Ray EditionI was a fan of this 1977 mini series and watching has become a Easter tradition. Originally, Jesus of Nazareth premiered 40 years ago today, 27 March 1977 on British television; and made its American premiere as an NBC Easter special, on 3 April 1977. I remember watching it live that premiere week on a 13" color television with no remote. NBC rebroadcast the series in 1981 and four more times through 1990s.It was originally released as a three-tape VHS edition in the early 1980s under the Magnetic Video label. VHS home players were new at this time. The orginal VHS Box set sold for over $50.00.The three-tape edition was one of the only VHS cassettes available to "check-out" and watch in my college library. So, I watched this series many times.It was released later under the mainstream video label of CBS/FOX in 1986. Another three-tape VHS edition was released by LIVE Home Video in 1992 and once more on 22 February 1995. Artisan Entertainment released the DVD version on two discs on 6 December 1999. In the UK, the original 1986 Polygram VHS (4 tapes) was fully uncut and featured the full 386 minute version. The 2000 Carlton video (2 tapes) featured a heavily abridged print running 270 minutes. Although the Granada DVD is credited as the unedited print it runs for 374 minutes and misses out 2 scenes - a private meeting between Judas Iscariot and Zerah, and the opening betrayal sequence during the Last Supper.This is nice (2) Disc Blu Ray release from Shout Factory with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.33:1. There have been a variety of previous international Blu-ray releases of this title, some at least evidently sourced from different masters (and at least a couple sporting different lengths--this version omits several minutes that were seen in at least some versions of the miniseries, though it's instructive to note that the IMDb lists the Italian theatrical version of this as having been significantly shorter than even this version).This is not the greatest restoration experience to date. But if your a fan of this television mini-series like I am, its far better than anything to date. Much better than the 1980's VHS. The negative reviews in my opinion are over the top critique. I was pleased with the edition and believe it is worthy of purchase. I wish there were better 'special features" and scene selection ability. I almost got sucked into the negative reviews. This is not the greatest restoration but much much better than anything to date! Better than streaming quality and you own it!Going into full videophile mode: I use a OPPO BDP-83SE, which allows a "zoom" "picture adjustment full screen" option. I rarely use this zoom option because it departs from the directors intent. But in the case, I believe it is the right setting and truthfully the intended viewing option. Having this OPPO Blu ray player picture adjustment brings this film to full life. 40 years later, on Easter, this is a great film to revisit. Just as good as it was live on a 13 inch color television.If this mini-series is new to you, it is about the life of Jesus which is majestically and movingly portrayed in one of the most magnificent miniseries ever created.Acclaimed director Franco Zeffirelli and an all-star cast come together to deliver a powerful adaptation of the Gospels in 1977's Jesus Of Nazareth. From the Nativity to the Crucifixion and Resurrection, the life of Jesus (played by Robert Powell) is presented with stunning depth, gravity, and emotion. Acclaimed by critics and viewers alike, Jesus Of Nazareth remains one of the finest depictions of the story of Christ nearly forty years after its release. Olivia Hussey, Anne Bancroft, Ernest Borgnine, Valentina Cortese, James Earl Jones, James Mason, Ian McShane, Christopher Plummer, Donald Pleasance, and Sir Laurence Olivier co-star in this rewarding, uplifting and faith-affirming portrayal."Like us" on Colorado Film Collectors Facebook page

I watched this miniseries years ago, and I can safely say that it is one of the best movies about the Life of Our Lord and God Jesus Christ that had ever been represented in a cinematographic way. The scene when Our Lord Jesus Christ was raising Lazarus from the dead by saying just "Lzarus come forth" is just spectacular as it clearly and powerfully shows the Power of His Divinity that is beyond this material universe. Moreover, the scene when he overturns the vendors and sellers tables in the temple is a master scene as it shows clearly how jealous he is about His House as he said "My house is a house of prayer and you made it a den of thieves". The the scene when he comes to St John the Baptist to get baptized and the Voice of the Father heard saying" This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased " and the Holy Spirit coming on him in the form of a dove was just spectacular as it is the best ever depiction of Divine Epiphany of The Holy Trinity in a scene in a movie. The scene when he forgave tge sins of the Zacchaeus after he repented from his sins and the declaration by Our Lord that " Salvation has come in this house", coupled with the scene when he gave the woman caught in adultery a second chance to get cleansed from her sins and live a pure and Holy life was another master scene as we see Claudia Cardinale in this seen playing the adulterous woman and the whole crowd are like vultures wanting to prey on her presented to Our Lird as a frightened and more dead than alive from fear , but tgen Our Lord in a powerful manner only befitting His Divinity confound the arrogance of her accusers in showing tyem that they are all sinners and inngiving her another chance to be cleansed from sins when he tells ger"Go and sin no more" What a powerful acting in this scene from Robert Powell acting as Our Lord Jesus Christ in thus scene with Claudia Cardinale acting in a profound manner her new found hope in having a second chance at a decent pure life. What Great a ting from Robert Powell in this movie as he is tge best who had ever represented Our Lord in movies, he was profound , dignified and manner that defits the depiction of the God of the Universe who came to die for Our sins on the cross and Rose again to grant whoever believes tye Eternal Life. James Mason was so wonderful on his role as Joseph of Arimathea and Sir Lawrence Olivier was so profound in his role as Nicodemus. Franco Zeffirelli directed a masterpiece that continues after 40 years to be the standard of any cinematographic depiction of the life of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The music by Michel Jarre adds a tremendous sense of Sanctity and Holiness that greatly influences the feelings of the viewers to want to know more about "This man of sorrows: Our Lord and God Jesus Christ" and how he condemns sins very powerfully yet came to shed his blood for the sinners so that whoever believes in him can have Eternal Life.

Jesus of Nazareth (40th Anniversary Edition) Blu-ray disc - There are a lot of glowing reviews for this series. I would like to add what I thought of the Blu-ray edition compared to the DVD edition I had in the past. But first if you are reading this and have never seen this mini-series I only want to say of all the religious films, of all the bible based movies, of all the attempts to portray the gospel as presented in the New Testament I can only speak for myself: This is the single best production regarding the person and impact of the man Jesus of Nazareth that I have seen compared to any Hollywood production past or in the resent present. Even the History Channel chose this miniseries in their discussion regarding the historic Christ. The thing that still impresses me to this day is the costumes look lived in and not that they just came from a costume rack. The actors, the music, the locations all merge into a perfect combination of drama and faith. One review said it was as if he were speaking these words for the first time. After viewing the Blu-ray disc version compared to the original DVD release I must say they have improved the quality of picture and sound quite nicely. It was even more impressive on a big screen TV. The old DVD I remember had quality issues that appeared to be from the film transfer. This Blu-ray was released without a lot of fanfare but the extra quality shows. If you have not seen this yet or you would like to see it again may I recommend this Blu-ray edition? The price is very reasonable and the quality may surprise you. I know it did me and this is my favorite film of all time. Thank you for your time.

Good movie