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Spiritual Movies
Letter J
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Jesus
of Nazareth. |
Originally made for TV in 1977, this in-depth (six hours plus) version of Jesus' life is so thorough that the first hour is devoted solely to the story of his birth. The film doesn't skimp on some of the other landmark events of this famous story either. Director Franco Zeffirelli gives more than 12 minutes screen time each to the Last Supper and the Crucifixion. Passages of the Bible are quoted verbatim, the locations have a Palestine-like authenticity, and, aside from some of the principals (Robert Powell as Jesus, Olivia Hussey as Mary, and Stacy Keach as Barabbas), many of the non-Roman characters are actually played by Semitic-looking actors. Zeffirelli diligently provides the sociopolitical background that gave rise to Jesus' following and the crisis in belief it caused for the people of Israel (and one or two Romans). While not graphic by today's standards, some of the scenes--baby boys being ripped from their mothers' arms and slaughtered, nails being driven into Jesus' hands--may disturb young and/or sensitive children. |
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Joan
the Maid. Jacques Rivette. |
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John
of the Cross. 1997. 60 minutes. |
Here is the intriguing story of the greatest poet that Spain has ever known, in a video that has the depth and beauty of a 16th-century masterpiece. Leonardo and Patti Defilippis play John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila, with a cast of more than sixty extras. The mystical poetry of the drama is enhanced by a complete orchestral score. |
| Johnny
Appleseed and the Frontier Within. 30 minutes. |
With Lillian Gish. The true story of American folk hero Johnny "Appleseed" Chapman, frontier mystic and self-appointed Swedenborgian minister. |
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[more to come]
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