Jesus
DVD cover
Written bySuzette Couture (teleplay)
Directed byRoger Young
StarringJeremy Sisto
Jacqueline Bisset
Armin Mueller-Stahl
Debra Messing
Gary Oldman
Music byPatrick Williams
Country of originItaly
United States
Original languagesEnglish
Italian
Production
ProducersRussell Kagan
Roberta Cadringher
CinematographyRaffaele Mertes
EditorBenjamin A. Weissman
Running time174 minutes (without commercials)
Budget$17 million[1]
Original release
Release
  • December 5, 1999 (1999-12-05) (Italy)
  • May 14, 2000 (2000-05-14) (United States)

Jesus is a 1999 Italian-American biblical historical drama television miniseries that retells the historical events of Jesus Christ. It was shot in Morocco and Malta. It stars Jeremy Sisto as the titular character, Jacqueline Bisset as Mary of Nazareth, Debra Messing as Mary Magdalene and Gary Oldman as Pontius Pilate. The miniseries was broadcast in Italy in two parts on December 5 and 6, 1999[2] before being broadcast in the United States on May 14 and 15, 2000.

Overview

The film's chronology entails a cinematic blending of the Four Gospels with the addition of extra-biblical elements not found in the New Testament accounts. It provides a down to earth approach through its focus on the human aspect of Jesus. Compared to more solemn and divine portrayals in earlier films, Jesus expresses emotions weeping at Joseph's funeral, throwing stones in Lake Galilee upon meeting Simon Peter and James son of Zebedee, dancing at the wedding at Cana, and starting a water-splashing fight with his disciples.

While the film mainly presented familiar Christian Episodes, it provides extra-biblical scenes such as flashbacks of his first trip to Jerusalem with John as well as scenes of war and destruction waged in the name of Jesus during the medieval and modern times. Likewise, the film's Satan comes in two different forms: a visual exemplification of a modern man and a woman in red, instead of the traditional snake that can be found in most films. The film also adds a composite character, an apocryphal Roman historian named "Livio" who watches and comments as events unfold; he is presumably named after Livy.

As it appears in the credits, it was dedicated in memory of Enrico Sabbatini.

Cast

Soundtrack

Jesus: Music from and Inspired by the Epic Mini-Series
Soundtrack album by
Various Artists
ReleasedMarch 8, 2000
GenreGospel
LabelCapitol Records/Sparrow Records
ProducerBill Hearn, Eddie Degarmo, Evan Lamberg, Mike Curb, Russel Kagan, Saul Melnick, Lorenzo Minoli, Patrick Williams, Acrynon Production Group, Edwin McCain, Craig Shields, Scott Bannevich, Larry Chaney, Dave Harrison, Greg Archilla, Steven Curtis Chapman, Adam Anders, Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait, Mick Guzauski, 98 Degrees, Big Baby, Sugar Mike, Dan Huff, Mark Hammond, Keith Thomas, Mark Heimermann, Don Dixon, David R. Murray[3]
Singles from Jesus: Music from and Inspired by the Epic Mini-Series
  1. "I Need You"
    Released: March 20, 2000 (radio)[4] / July 25, 2000 (retail)[5]
  2. "Spirit in the Sky"
  3. "Fly to You"
    Released: June 12, 2000[6]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[7]

A soundtrack, Jesus: Music from and Inspired by the Epic Mini-Series, was released on March 8, 2000, for the series.[8] "I Need You" was released as a single for the soundtrack by American country music recording artist LeAnn Rimes. "Spirit in the Sky" by dc Talk was also released as a B side with "I Need You".[9]

No.TitleRecording artist(s)Length
1."Jesus" (Theme from the original soundtrack)Patrick Williams2:49
2."I Need You"LeAnn Rimes3:48
3."Jesus, He Loves Me"Eric McCain4:36
4."Nobody Ever (Only You)"Steven Curtis Chapman4:27
5."Spirit in the Sky"dc Talk3:44
6."The Love That You've Been Looking For"98 Degrees4:33
7."Shining Star"Yolanda Adams3:33
8."Love Can Change Your Mind"Lonestar4:17
9."Fly to You"Avalon3:49
10."When You Walked Into My Life"Jaci Velasquez3:46
11."City by a River"Hootie & the Blowfish3:49
12."Pie Jesu"Sarah Brightman3:55

See also

References

  1. ↑ "'Jesus' won't bless TNT". July 20, 1998.
  2. ↑ "Italians flock to 'Jesus' mini". December 29, 1999.
  3. ↑ Jesus: Music From and Inspired by the Epic Mini Series (CD). Various Artists. Capitol Records. 2000. G2 7243 8 51730 2 8 SPD 1730.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  4. ↑ "Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records. No. 1342. March 17, 2000. pp. 152, 156. Retrieved May 26, 2021.
  5. ↑ Jessen, Wade (October 7, 2000). "Country Corner" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 112, no. 41. p. 35. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Fly To You" at Discogs
  7. ↑ William Ruhlmann (March 28, 2000). "Jesus: The Epic Mini-Series [Original Television Soundtrack] - Original Television Soundtrack: Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards: Allmusic". Allmusic. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Jesus: Music From & Inspired by the Epic Mini Series: Patrick Williams, Various Artists: Music". Amazon. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
  9. ↑ "I Need You / Spirit in the Sky: Leann Rimes, Dc Talk: Music". Amazon. Retrieved September 27, 2011.
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