The Day Christ Died is a 1980 American television film directed by James Cellan Jones. The collaborative production by 20th Century Fox and CBS-TV dramatizes the last 24 hours of Jesus Christ's life and is based on Jim Bishop's 1957 book of the same name.[1] The book was co-adapted by James Lee Barrett, who, 15 years prior, had scripted The Greatest Story Ever Told for George Stevens.
| The Day Christ Died | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Drama |
| Written by | Edward Anhalt James Lee Barrett |
| Directed by | James Cellan Jones |
| Starring | Chris Sarandon |
| Music by | Laurence Rosenthal |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producers | Martin Manulis Ted Butcher (associate producer) |
| Production location | Tunisia |
| Cinematography | Franco Di Giacomo |
| Editor | Barry Peters |
| Running time | 142 min. |
| Production company | 20th Century Fox Television |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS |
| Release | March 26, 1980 |
Bishop, who did not accept the adaptation, had his name removed from the credits. He called the film "cheap revisionist history", and even tried unsuccessfully to change the film's title.[2] The Day Christ Died was filmed in Tunisia, at a cost of US$2.8 million.[3] It was broadcast by CBS-TV on Wednesday, March 26, 1980.[4]
Plot edit
Around the same time that a popular mob hero named Barabbas is arrested and convicted by Pontius Pilate and his lieutenant governor/aide Tullius, Jesus of Nazareth arrives in Jerusalem in time for the celebration of the Passover/Seder. The High Priest Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, who oppose and find Jesus to be a menace and danger to their traditions, scarcely bargain with Pilate on how to detain Jesus. This ideas initially goes well with Pilate since he fears a riot from a mob clamoring for Barabbas release. When Jesus is finally condemned by the Sanhedrin and handed over to Pilate, he uses him as a decoy or alternative to please the Jerusalem populace by acquitting Barabbas and sentencing Jesus to be crucified in his place.
Cast edit
- Chris Sarandon as Jesus Christ
- Colin Blakely as Caiaphas
- Keith Michell as Pontius Pilatus
- Jonathan Pryce as Herod Antipas
- Barrie Houghton as Judas
- Tim Pigott-Smith as Tullius
- Jay O. Sanders as Simon Peter
- Eleanor Bron as Mary
- Delia Boccardo as Mary Magdelene
- Hope Lange as Claudia (Pontius Pilate's wife)
- Oliver Cotton as John
- Rod Dana as Abenadar
- Gordon Gostelow as Nicodemus
- Nando Paone as Thaddeus
- Samuele Cerri as Nathaniel
References edit
- ^ Alex Keneas Newsday (Mar 26, 1980). "A Question of Intrigue". Boston Globe. Retrieved 24 June 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Winfrey, Lee (Mar 24, 1980). "Film Treatment Annoys His Author". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
- ^ "Revised Christ Draws Writer's Ire". Montreal Gazette. Mar 17, 1980. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
- ^ "The Day Christ Died". The Evening News. March 23, 1980. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
External links edit
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