UPDATEMy podcast about this film can be heard hereWhen I launched my scene guide last month I bemoaned the lack of a region 2 release of the full version of Jesus of Nazareth.
Well thankfully it looks like the wait is nearly over. ITV DVD, a new label set up to distribute programmes screened by ITV, is releasing a stack of new programmes, and a full uncut version of Franco Zeffirelli's film will be released in October. At this stage, it's not yet clear whether there will be any special features or not, but it's great that the full version will finally be available.
Prior to Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth was generally considered the definitive version within Christian circles. Whilst, I have a number of quibbles with the film, it did make my recent Top Ten Jesus Films list, and has a great deal going for it.I've been thinking for a while that I might do some podcasting related to this site, and when I get around to it (hopefully within the next month or so), this will probably be the first film I tackle.
(Thanks to Chip for the tip off)
Do you know how long this "full uncut version" will be? Just wondering if it's any longer than the version I have.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't mind hearing about the picture quality, too, once it's out; the version I have leaves a bit to be desired, in that department.
When Jesus of Nazareth come out in 1977. it was 2 hours long on each episode if we had dvd format they would sell the fall version because dvd disks while can record 8 hours but the disk start to skip or freezes after 6 hours so when dvd format come out they sesixe to cut the film until 6 hours two discs it is cheaper for them to maked a cut version then the fall version. I can't see why they can't make it in gor disks it would be better or ar least repeat some part near the end I hope they do released the fall version of the film but if you managed to get a old vhs version from late 1990s you will get all the fall version until then we have to wait gor them to release the fall version
DeleteThe press release lists the run time as 360 minutes, and I'll let you know about the picture quality when I get the DVD.
ReplyDeleteMatt
Hmmm, the version I have is a hair over 380 ... maybe the DVD producers heard it was a round figure like "six hours" and just converted that into minutes ...
ReplyDeleteYeah the longer of the VHS versions I've seen are about the same. I would imagine that by rounding down a bit, and even maybe cutting all the music it will be the same cut.
ReplyDeleteMatt
There is quite a lot cut. Like Salome dancing for John the Baptist's Head and Roman asking Jesus to heal his servant
DeleteWhen will we have a a region 1 version that really contains the entire uncut version of "Jesus of Nazareth"? I ask this because the current version that is available claims to be entire,however when looking at a fan website of this movie, there were pictures from the movie, of when doubting Thomas knees before Jesus after He has risen from the dead (this picture may be portraying when St. Thomas examined Christ's wounds and said "My Lord and My God."). Do you think region one will have a more complete version when it is rerelease again? How soon do you expect it will be before region 1 gets a new release? The fan site I am referring to is the one that is in honor of Zeffirelli.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I've not seen the region 1 cut of this film, so I can't say, but it's possible that the still you have seen is not from the actual film. Allow me to explain. Often the promo shots are taken on set; they're generally not screen captures. Hence, promo shots are often portrait rather than landscape. So it's possible that the Thomas shot is a promo shot only.
ReplyDeleteOr it might be that the shot is from an earlier scene.
Or it's possible that this scene was cut before the original broadcast.
Or, as you say, it's possible that this scene, was cut and that the region 1 DVD isn't the whole thing.
Who knows?
Matt
Every year on Easter I watch "Jesus
ReplyDeleteof Nazareth" on the National TV in
Macedonia.It's interesting that
this is the standard version with
cutted scenes and the film is
reworked as a series in 4 episodes.
I'm interested: Is this the version
that Franco made or I'm looking into another one ?
Hey guys, your convo has been really helpful to me. I have the region 1 dvd of this movie and mine runs around 372 min with the credits however the dvd box says 382. I was wondering if you guys could tell me if there is such a scene in the region 2 version where Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene after his resurrection or is that just a rumor? i would really like to see the uncut version for region 1, do you guys know of any news about this? thanks, God bless!
ReplyDeleteI don't recall such a scene, but given that the film ran out of money and so rushed the resurrection segment of the film I would doubt they would have omitted it. Then again, perhaps it was very very bad and so they ditched it.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else know?
Matt
I remember that the JESUS OF NAZARETH epic miniseries was broadcast in spring 1987. At that time, the weekly TV guide featured a "Best Bets" selection for prime time each day of the week. JESUS OF NAZARETH was the film selected on the night part I was aired. I vividly remember a photo of The Risen JESUS standing with a hand raised which had a nail wound. I don't think this was just a promo still. I really do tend to think that there is a Resurrection scene (that has been omitted in numerous broadcasts) of JESUS appearing to His apostles showing them His hand wound before the scene in which He is seated as He talks to them with John on His right side and Simon Peter at His left. I would really like know if and when a totally unedited recording of this excellent,superb, splendid, magnificent, wonderful cinematic epic masterpiece will be released.
ReplyDeleteYes, I must back up your claim. Mum watched the Channel 4 broadcasts in 1989 (in the UK). She was upset the ressurection was cut. She remembered Jesus rising and it wasn't shown. Also, another blogger elsewhere claims that the new ITV DVD is NOT uncut as it says. Some very important scenes were omitted and were vital to building the next plot. New viewers wouldn't notice, but those who saw the original ATV version would notice.
DeleteHmmm, haven't heard that before, but would be interested to know. I need to read my copy of Zefferelli's spiritual diary and see what it says in there. My understanding was that the resurrection was a bit of a low budget rush job. Out of interest, what is it that makes you think it wasn't just a publicity shot?
ReplyDeleteMatt
JESUS OF NAZARETH was the first ‘movie' scripted exclusively for television broadcast, and not traditional cinematic distribution. JESUS OF NAZARETH was edited down from an initially envisioned running time of ten hours edited out from the original script, a final viewing length of six hours let alone a ten hour movie”
ReplyDeleteTheir is a lot of missing scenes in the dvd version. I remember Jesus washing the feet, Cana, Transfiguration, etc.(sorry I speak french) Few years ago, Carlton Home Entertainment Ltd owned all the original serie version. If someone can get in touch with this compagny and ask for information, it would be nice
Anyone want an almost complete version...well i have it with 2 famous missing scenes of Zerah and Judas asfor half the Last Supper that was cut. As for the resurrection scene i do have jesus appearing before mary magdalene before cutting to the soldiers talking about the open tomb. The scene with Thomas....Zeffereli in his book Jesus a spiritual diary said that it was filmed but it was interupted by a sand storm so he got upset and said it was not right to film it that way. He had also filmed Jesus breaking bread with them but also decided not to. The only resurrection used was the screen test which is what ultimately made it to the film. Sad hut true. Same goes with the temptations scenes of the devil. Once again Zefferelli said that the scene was filmed and at the last moment cut because he decided to use Jesus voice as the devil also and that it might confuse the viewers. Pictures of this scene also remain and yes i have those. My version i have used scenes from other bible films and flawlessly with the jesus of,nazareth ones incorparated to create the temptation scenes and others as walking on the water,calming the storm,jesus visiting his mother,extended Gethsemane scene,the actual 39 lashes at the pillar, extended walk to Golgotha the resurrection appearance. Please email for any questionsas i have everything available,from books to press copies for 1977 JESUSOF NAZARETH. my copy is,perfect bluray material.email me at jamescarretev@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteCan you publish these scenes on YouTube?
DeleteThanks for this extra info
ReplyDeleteMatt
Don't recall the Salome / John the Baptist scene - thank you.
ReplyDeleteMatt