Post by JudgeJuryDredd on Apr 52026 23:36:02 GMT
This is strictly about performances in theatrically released filmsso the likes of Robert Powell, Jonathan Roumie, Jeremy Sistoand Christian Bale cannot be cited as they portrayed Christ for television (thoughThe Chosen has been reworked into the feature film format and played at movie theatresbut still...)
Ted Neeley's work in Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) is really goodespecially considering it wasn't a traditional retelling with its rock-opera approach. It makes a lot of artistic choices and pays off well in the end.
Jim Caviezel's portrayal in The Passion of the Christ (2004) is perhaps the most intense and visceral presentation of Christ on film that I have seen. Playing the part was no walk in the park for Caviezelas he faced extremelife-threatening dangers during filmingincluding dislocating his shoulderdeveloping pneumoniasuffering hypothermiawas accidentally whipped twicesuffered from a lung infectionand was even struck by lightning...He was suffering when he was supposed to be pretendingand boy does it leave an impression.
Max Von Sydow presents a lot of aura in his performance in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)Jeffrey Hunter is good in King of Kings (1961) but I feel that the musiccinematographydirection by Nicholas Rayand his co-stars do more of the heavy lifting.
H.B. Warner is interestingly overlooked in his performance as Christ in Cecil B. DeMille's The King of Kings (1927)despite having its own spot in The Criterion Collection it is a cinematic retelling of the final days of Christ often forgotten about. I think Warner's performance may be the one I like the mosthe presents an aura throughout the silent epicyou feel his kindnessyou see him struggleyou feel his pain...He says so much without really saying anything at all (that of course can be expected in a film from the silent era of cinema).
Alsovery interesting tidbit about The King of Kings (1927)not only was Warner forbidden from engaging in activities that would seem non-Christian like at the time (such as drinkingplaying pokergetting rides in specific cars)not only did Cecil B. DeMille have everyone pray every day of filmingbut Ayn Randthe founder of Objectivismis in the movie in a blink-and-you'll-miss part as an observer of the crucifixion. InterestinglyRand is famously known to have rejected all forms of faithspiritualityand religioncalling them "the worst curse of mankind."
Ted Neeley's work in Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) is really goodespecially considering it wasn't a traditional retelling with its rock-opera approach. It makes a lot of artistic choices and pays off well in the end.
Jim Caviezel's portrayal in The Passion of the Christ (2004) is perhaps the most intense and visceral presentation of Christ on film that I have seen. Playing the part was no walk in the park for Caviezelas he faced extremelife-threatening dangers during filmingincluding dislocating his shoulderdeveloping pneumoniasuffering hypothermiawas accidentally whipped twicesuffered from a lung infectionand was even struck by lightning...He was suffering when he was supposed to be pretendingand boy does it leave an impression.
Max Von Sydow presents a lot of aura in his performance in The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)Jeffrey Hunter is good in King of Kings (1961) but I feel that the musiccinematographydirection by Nicholas Rayand his co-stars do more of the heavy lifting.
H.B. Warner is interestingly overlooked in his performance as Christ in Cecil B. DeMille's The King of Kings (1927)despite having its own spot in The Criterion Collection it is a cinematic retelling of the final days of Christ often forgotten about. I think Warner's performance may be the one I like the mosthe presents an aura throughout the silent epicyou feel his kindnessyou see him struggleyou feel his pain...He says so much without really saying anything at all (that of course can be expected in a film from the silent era of cinema).
Alsovery interesting tidbit about The King of Kings (1927)not only was Warner forbidden from engaging in activities that would seem non-Christian like at the time (such as drinkingplaying pokergetting rides in specific cars)not only did Cecil B. DeMille have everyone pray every day of filmingbut Ayn Randthe founder of Objectivismis in the movie in a blink-and-you'll-miss part as an observer of the crucifixion. InterestinglyRand is famously known to have rejected all forms of faithspiritualityand religioncalling them "the worst curse of mankind."
