Miniseries · 1977
Jesus of Nazareth
Franco Zeffirelli's miniseries follows Jesus from the betrothal of Mary and Joseph to the empty tomb, with Robert Powell as Jesus and a large ensemble cast. Catholic critic Steven D. Greydanus calls its opening Christmas story the best screen telling to date; elsewhere the film reshapes events, for instance through Zerah, an invented member of the council.
Facts
About Jesus of Nazareth
- Directed by Franco Zeffirelli, who wrote the screenplay with Suso Cecchi d'Amico and the novelist Anthony Burgess.1
- A co-production of ITC and RAI, presented by Sir Lew Grade.2
- First shown in the U.S. on NBC on Palm Sunday and Easter 1977.3
- Robert Powell plays Jesus; the cast also includes Olivia Hussey, Anne Bancroft, Laurence Olivier and James Mason.31
- Versions differ in length: Decent Films gives nearly six and a half hours for the full TV version, often shown in two parts; the review of the Catholic bishops of England and Wales lists 269 minutes.31
- Some figures are added, such as Zerah (Ian Holm), a council member who plots the arrest, and Rabbi Yehuda (Cyril Cusack) in Nazareth.34
At a glance
| Type | Series |
|---|---|
| Year | 1977 |
| Directed by | Franco Zeffirelli |
| Studio | ITC and RAI (presented by Sir Lew Grade); first shown in the U.S. on NBC |
| Running time | nearly 6½ hours in the full TV version; shorter versions exist |
Where to watch in the US
Scenes
The Bible behind the scenes
For each scene: what the production shows, the Bible passages it is based on and what it adds to the Gospels. Each reference links to the chapter in the New American Bible, Revised Edition.
Compare scenes withThe ChosenThe PassionNativity StorySon of God
| Scene | What the film shows | Bible | What the film adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Annunciation to Mary Compare the Gospels → | Shown The angel stays unseen; we hear only Mary's side of the conversation.35 | Lk 1:26–38 | – |
| The birth of Jesus Compare the Gospels → | Shown Part of the long opening Christmas story, with the angel's message to Joseph.345 | Mt 1:18–25Lk 2:1–7 | The film shows Mary and Joseph's betrothal and wedding, officiated by Rabbi Yehuda, a figure created for the film. |
| The magi from the east Compare the Gospels → | Shown The magi come to the child; James Earl Jones plays Balthasar.35 | Mt 2:1–12 | Their visit to Herod's court (Mt 2:7–8) is left out. |
| Flight to Egypt and the massacre of the infants Compare the Gospels → | Shown Herod's massacre of the infants is shown.35 | Mt 2:13–18 | – |
| The boy Jesus in the temple Compare the Gospels → | Shown The boy Jesus is found in the temple, a scene few films include.35 | Lk 2:41–52 | – |
| John the Baptist's preaching Compare the Gospels → | Shown Michael York plays a fiery John the Baptist; Herod Antipas is drawn to his preaching.35 | Mk 1:2–8Mk 6:20 | – |
| The baptism of Jesus Compare the Gospels → | Shown Jesus is baptized in the Jordan, and John bears witness to the Father's voice.35 | Mt 3:13–17 | – |
| The call of Matthew (Levi) Compare the Gospels → | Shown Jesus calls Matthew and joins a lively feast at his house.315 | Mt 9:9–13 | At the feast Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son, and Peter and Matthew are reconciled; both are the film's own arrangement. |
| The Sermon on the Mount Compare the Gospels → | In part Jesus teaches about the lilies of the field and not worrying about tomorrow.35 | Mt 6:25–34 | A rabbi's reaction to the teaching is added. |
| The sinful woman at the Pharisee's house Compare the Gospels → | Shown A sinful woman comes to Jesus at the house of Simon the Pharisee.15 | Lk 7:36–50 | – |
| Jairus's daughter and the woman who touches his cloak Compare the Gospels → | Shown Jesus raises the daughter of Jairus.35 | Mk 5:21–43 | – |
| Peter's confession Compare the Gospels → | Shown Peter's confession is staged as a key moment of the film.35 | Mt 16:13–20 | – |
| The parable of the prodigal son Compare the Gospels → | At Matthew's feast Jesus tells the parable during the feast at Matthew's house.315 | Lk 15:11–32 | Luke sets it among tax collectors and sinners, without Matthew's feast (Lk 15:1–3). |
| The rich young man | Shown The rich young man goes away, looking back at Jesus again and again.135 | Mt 19:16–22 | – |
| The raising of Lazarus Compare the Gospels → | Shown Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb.35 | Jn 11:1–44 | Jesus weeping (Jn 11:35) and the command to untie Lazarus (Jn 11:44) are left out; he is left standing in his burial cloths. |
| Judas agrees to hand Jesus over | Reimagined Judas goes to the council.35 | Mt 26:14–16 | Ian McShane's Judas is a Zealot who believes he is arranging a meeting with Caiaphas, not handing Jesus over for money; in Matthew he asks what they will give him (Mt 26:15). |
| The Last Supper Compare the Gospels → | Shown Jesus shares the Last Supper with the Twelve.35 | Mt 26:26–30 | – |
| Jesus before the Sanhedrin Compare the Gospels → | Reimagined The night trial before the council is dramatically reworked.345 | Mt 26:57–68 | Zerah, a council member invented for the film, drives the case; Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus speak in Jesus' defense, which the Gospels do not report (cf. Lk 23:50–51; Jn 7:50–51). |
| Jesus before Pilate Compare the Gospels → | Shown Pilate is reluctant to condemn Jesus; some in the crowd see him as a prophet.345 | Jn 18:28–38 | – |
| Barabbas and the death sentence Compare the Gospels → | Shown Barabbas is released and Jesus is condemned.345 | Mt 27:15–26 | Barabbas has an invented conversation with Jesus, and his Zealot allies work the crowd. |
| The way to Golgotha Compare the Gospels → | Without Simon Jesus carries the cross in agony but never falls.345 | Jn 19:16–17 | Simon of Cyrene, named by Matthew, Mark and Luke, is left out. |
| The crucifixion Compare the Gospels → | Shown Jesus is crucified.35 | Mt 27:33–44 | – |
| The guard at the tomb | Shown The tomb is put under guard at the urging of Zerah.35 | Mt 27:62–66 | In Matthew the chief priests and Pharisees ask Pilate for the guard; Zerah is the film's own figure. |
| The empty tomb Compare the Gospels → | Shown Mary Magdalene finds the tomb empty; the risen Jesus is only briefly glimpsed afterward.35 | Jn 20:1–10 | – |
Bible Behind the Screen is independent and not affiliated with the makers or the distributors of this production. We describe it in our own words and show no clips, stills, posters or photos of actors.
Sources
- Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales: Jesus of Nazareth, film review (PDF) (checked on October 21, 2026)
- Princeton Public Library, catalog record: Jesus of Nazareth (DVD), “Sir Lew Grade presents an ITC/RAI co-production” (checked on October 21, 2026)
- Decent Films, Steven D. Greydanus: Jesus of Nazareth (1977), review (checked on October 21, 2026)
- Decent Films, Steven D. Greydanus: Jesus movies and antisemitism: Jesus of Nazareth and The Passion of the Christ (checked on October 21, 2026)
- New American Bible, Revised Edition (USCCB): Bible references (checked on October 21, 2026)
Bible references follow the New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE), the Catholic Bible translation of the U.S. bishops. We give the references and sum up the passages in our own words; each reference links to the full text on the bishops' website. Found a mistake? Write to us at hello@biblebehindthescreen.com.
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