Louis, I heard of one lady who was instantly healed of cancer as she watched the crucifixion scene. Back in 1977, it was the talk of the nation - in St.
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I plan a London revival of the series during Lent 2007, to mark the film's 30th anniversary. I saw the original transmission on American television in 1977, (it was aired nationwide at least twice in two years), and I also have an original and ageing VHS (PAL) copy. Less than seven years later, Zeffirelli estimated that 750,000 people had seen the film. While there is much to respect about Bergman, he would have been totally incapable of producing the beauty, purity and meaning in the hidden text that is so apparent in the final film. Bergman was dismissive of the final Zeffirelli project, and it is certain that it would have been an entirely different film had he been asked to direct. However, the Roman Catholics who had been the original driving force for the project strongly objected to Bergman's idea of a series of mini lives of Jesus, as seen from the viewpoint of different characters. Interestingly, Ingmar Bergman had already been asked to turn in a treatment, apparently before Zeffirelli was ever approached. Zeffirelli was uneasy with his liberalism, and sought to bring the script back to a more faithful rendition yet Burgess' awesomely effective dramatic structure remains. Burgess and Zeffirelli was a match made in heaven: Burgess turned in a script that took great liberties with the sacred text. What finally convinced him was his conviction that the film could be compassionate towards the Jews, and thus could help undo some of the past hatred for which Christianity was renowned. As his other stage and screen projects turned to dust, however, he finally accepted the task. After completing "Brother Son, Sister Moon", Zeffirelli turned (the Jewish) Sir Lew Grade down flat for this project, stubbornly refusing to engage on the project for a year and a half. Much as I admire Mel Gibson's monumental depiction of the last 12 hours of Jesus' life in "The Passion of the Christ", I still believe that the yardstick by which all 'passion play' genre films will be judged in future generations will be "Jesus of Nazareth".
Lycoming Critic’s Corner takes a periodic look at timely and interesting films.With Franco Zeffirelli's 1977 made for television masterpiece and Anthony Burgess' screenplay, religious film simply does not get any better than this. No doubt Cumberbatch’s staging - which runs a walloping 217 minutes - will have many fine and memorable scenes as well. That always seems to be the case with just about any version of this endlessly fascinating play.
There’s no such thing as a perfect “Hamlet,” but each of these brings something new and interesting to the table. This version has the added benefit of a very young Michael Caine as Horatio, an even younger-looking Donald Sutherland as Fortinbras and sensational work by Robert Shaw as Claudius best known as the tough sea captain from “Jaws,” Shaw shows off his Shakespearean background with a gripping and nuanced performance. Plummer is excellent, and the authentic backdrops - including a night scene filmed by the ocean! - really add zest and vitality to the proceedings. Entitled “Hamlet at Elsinore,” it was staged live for television in 1964, performed on location at the actual Danish castle where the play takes place.