Jesus, a humble Judean carpenter beginning to see that he is the son of God, is drawn into revolutionary action against the Roman occupiers by Judas -- despite his protestations that love, not violence, is the path to salvation. The burden of being the savior of mankind torments Jesus throughout his life, leading him to doubt.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. 2 wins & 7 nominations total
Top Critics Reviews
fresh:
Among those who do not already have rigid views on the subject, this film is likely to inspire more serious thought on the nature of Jesus than any other ever made.
– Roger Ebert,
Chicago Sun-Times,
1 Jan 2000
fresh:
What emerges most memorably is its sense of absolute conviction, never more palpable than in the final fantasy sequence that removes Jesus from the cross and creates for him the life of an ordinary man.
– Janet Maslin,
New York Times,
20 May 2003
fresh:
A sincere, typically ambitious and imaginative work from America's most provocatively intelligent film-maker.
– Geoff Andrew,
Time Out,
9 Feb 2006
fresh:
Concentrating on the humanity and fallibility of Jesus in continual conflict with his divinity, the film falters as a contemporary statement mainly in its primitive view of women.
– Jonathan Rosenbaum,
Chicago Reader,
19 Mar 2008
fresh:
A film of challenging ideas, and not salacious provocations.