The narrative of Jesus of Nazareth is a kind of cinematic Diatessaron, or Gospel harmony, blending all four New Testament accounts. It presents Jesus as both God and man. During the baptism of Jesus in the See more

Starring
• Robert Powell as Jesus
Guest stars
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Development
The drama was conceived when Lew Grade was received by Pope Paul VI, who congratulated him on the making of Moses the Lawgiver, … See more

Jesus of Nazareth premiered on the Italian channel Rai 1 on 27 March 1977. It was broadcast in five episodes, one shown every week until 25 April. On Palm Sunday, 3 April 1977 – the date of the airing of the second episode – the Pope endorsed the programme in his … See more

Famously, Pope Paul VI praised Zeffirelli’s film, both in private comment and in a public address on Palm Sunday prior to the miniseries’ Holy … See more

Before its initial broadcast, Jesus of Nazareth came under ideological fire from some American Protestant fundamentalists, led by Bob Jones III, president of Bob Jones University See more

Although the film has been received as generally faithful to the Gospel sources, and more comprehensive than previous film versions, … See more