Jesus (1999 film)

Jesus
Directed by Roger Young
Produced by Russell Kagan
Roberta Cadringher
Written by Suzette Couture (teleplay)
Starring Jeremy Sisto,
Debra Messing,
Jacqueline Bisset,
Armin Mueller-Stahl,
and Gary Oldman
Music by Patrick Williams
Cinematography Raffaele Mertes
Edited by Benjamin A. Weissman
Distributed by CBS Television
Release dates
 May 14, 2000 (United States)
Running time
 240 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $20,000,000 (estimated)

Jesus is a 1999 Biblical television film that retells the story of Jesus. It was shot in Morocco and Malta. It stars Jeremy Sisto as Jesus, Jacqueline Bisset as Mary of Nazareth, Debra Messing as Mary Magdalene and Gary Oldman as Pontius Pilate.

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 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
Released March 8, 2000
Genre Gospel
Label Capitol Records/Sparrow Records
Producer Bill 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[1]
Singles from Jesus: Music from & Inspired by the Epic Mini-Series
  1. "I Need You"
    Released: July 18, 2000
  2. "Spirit in the Sky"
    Released: July 18, 2000
Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
Allmusic [2]

A soundtrack, Jesus: Music from and Inspired by the Epic Mini-Series, was released on March 8, 2000, for the series.[3] "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".[4]

No. TitleRecording artist(s) Length
1. "Jesus" (Theme from the original soundtrack)Patrick Williams 2:49
2. "I Need You"  LeAnn Rimes 3:48
3. "Jesus, He Loves Me"  Eric McCain 4:36
4. "Nobody Ever (Only You)"  Steven Curtis Chapman 4:27
5. "Spirit in the Sky"  dc Talk 3:44
6. "The Love That You've Been Looking For"  98 Degrees 4:33
7. "Shining Star"  Yolanda Adams 3:33
8. "Love Can Change Your Mind"  Lonestar 4:17
9. "Fly to You"  Avalon 3:49
10. "When You Walked Into My Life"  Jaci Velasquez 3:46
11. "City by a River"  Hootie & the Blowfish 3:49
12. "Pie Jesu"  Sarah Brightman 3:55

See also

References

  1. ↑ Jesus: Music From and Inspired by the Epic Mini Series (CD). Various Artists. Capitol Records. 2000. G2 7243 8 51730 2 8 SPD 1730.
  2. ↑ William Ruhlmann (March 28, 2000). "Jesus: The Epic Mini-Series [Original Television Soundtrack] - Original Television Soundtrack: Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards: Allmusic". Allmusic. Retrieved 2012-07-02.
  3. ↑ "Jesus: Music From & Inspired by the Epic Mini Series: Patrick Williams, Various Artists: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
  4. ↑ "I Need You / Spirit in the Sky: Leann Rimes, Dc Talk: Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2011-09-27.

External links