Plot: What’s it about?
This is the story of Jesus and though I seriously doubt you’ve never heard the story before, I will write a brief synopsis just in case. Jesus was born to his mother Mary in a humble stable and was wrapped in swaddling clothes and all that jazz. We know this, right? In this feature we join Jesus as he works as a carpenter and ponders the idea of becoming a vessel for God. After much thought he decides to leave his tools behind and seek out those to whom he can deliver the message and instill within the love of God. While he is greeted with some hesitancy at first, he wins over many with some impressive actions and prophecies and soon finds himself with quite a following, some of whom believe he comes from a higher power. Soon word spreads of this man who is able to perform miracles and that word reaches some powerful men who do not like what they hear. Then some of the masses begin to turn on Jesus and soon the crowds are calling for him to be put up on a cross to die, right alongside thieves and other common criminals. The rest depends on your personal beliefs of course, but I assume you get the overall picture.
I am always taken by biblical stories and few pack the cinematic potential of Jesus’ story, so I was looking forward to viewing this flick once the review disc arrived. This was originally broadcast as a television miniseries which I am sure will scare some off, but after watching this I think those fears are unjustified. While the production values aren’t as refined as major motion pictures, they are at a solid level and I never thought the film seemed cheap or poorly made. The costumes were impressive and blended well with the atmosphere and the locations were excellent also, this isn’t a flashy production but then again it shouldn’t have been. I was pleased with the overall cast in terms of acting, though I do think a few casting changes could have improved the film somewhat. I didn’t expect this to be much at all, but I find myself very pleased with the results and will be adding this to the biblical section of my own collection. I recommend a rental if you’re a first time viewer, though the disc is worth the cash if you decide to purchase it.
This miniseries was directed by Roger Young, an experienced television director who delivers another solid effort for his resume here. While I am sure it was not easy to create a grand scale production for this story, Young managed to do just that and also made sure it didn’t look like a made for television picture. While I am sure it could have been done better on a bigger budget and such, Young exceeded all my expectations with this wonderful piece. Young’s other television projects include True Betrayal, Doublecrossed, Ruby Ridge: An American Tragedy, A Knight In Camelot, and The Thin Blue Lie. It’s no easy task to play Jesus to be sure, but Jeremy Sisto (Suicide Kings, Clueless) does here and he plays him as a more jovial fellow than previous takes. Also in fine form is Gary Oldman (Air Force One, Hannibal), who owns all the scenes he is in and gives a rock solid performance. The supporting cast also includes Jacqueline Bisset (Dangerous Beauty, Let The Devil Wear Black), Debra Messing (Celebrity, McHale’s Navy), David O’Hara (The Devil’s Own, Braveheart), and Armin Mueller-Stahl (Mission To Mars, The Game).
Video: How does it look?
Jesus is presented in a 1.33:1 or full frame transfer, which retains the original aspect ratio. This looks much it would have on television, just a little sharper and more defined. I noticed some mild compression errors here and there, though I don’t think this will serve to distract from the movie. The colors look bright and never become oversaturated, while flesh tones appear natural and consistent at all times. I saw no problems with the contrast either, as shadows seemed complex and detail is high and rich.
Audio: How does it sound?
This release uses the original stereo mix, which means the sound is adequate but lacks punch of any kind. The music comes through quite well though and sounds rich and well placed within the mix. When effects do emerge they sound good, but without the full surround format they seem hollow and limited. The dialogue sounds terrific though and shows no volume or separation inconsistencies. You’ll also find subtitles in English, French, and Spanish.
Supplements: What are the extras?
You’ll find a seven minute promotional piece for the soundtrack as well as a music video by LeAnn Rimes titled I Need You. You can also read a letter from The Pope in which he discusses this miniseries.
