Jesus of Nazareth Mexican Blu-ray import (Jesús de Nazaret)

[Falaskan]

I haven't seen the US DVD copy in years, but they basically removed the recaps and previews and made it one long movie (split on two discs). The last supper scene was "extended". Jesus tells John that someone is about to betray him, and that it will be the one who dips the bread into the bowl with him (Judas, of course). Jesus then tells Judas to "do what he has to do, quickly," and Judas leaves at that point. Apparently there is also a scene between Judas and Zera concerning the betrayal, but i didn't actually remember that one initially. If you don't remember any of that, then you've probably never seen it.

While i missed the above scene, I also thought if flowed well in spite of it being gone, so I assumed it was how it originally aired.

[moviebuff75]

"Jesus of Nazareth" originally aired on NBC in the U.S. in 1977. Several scenes were cut for the first airing. It aired over two Sundays, at three hours each (with commercials.) When the film proved to be a blockbuster in the ratings, the network allowed the filmmakers to complete their initial vision by adding several scenes back in for its 1979 re-run. That's when the film was broken up into four parts. The Judah/Zerah scene was not shown in 1977, but was part of the official version shown in 1979, and was shown each time since on NBC and on home video. Same goes for the Last Supper scene. Both were shown in 1979. So, even though that was a repeat, it is considered the "official version" and the longest cut shown on tv (in the U.S. at least.) That's the version I want..it's basically what is on the current blu rays but with the other two scenes.

[jrmac2000]

Hopefully this gets a US release either Christmas or Easter coming up. I popped in the dvd tonight from Netflix and it is in pretty bad shape. I'd love to see it properly restored and released here.

[Lantz]

Received mine today with DHL. Incredibly fast shipping!! Just watched the first part and I can confirm it does play in all regions. I thought PQ and AQ was excellent, far better than any home
video edition before. I'll make sure to watch it all later on and see if those cuts spoil my viewing. :-)

[toddly6666]

Does this movie feel like a tv movie? Did it ever play also in theaters?

[Lantz]

Originally Posted by toddly6666

Does this movie feel like a tv movie? Did it ever play also in theaters?

There is certainly a TV production feel to it, although it plays out very well as an epic feature film too, considering all the great actors and the magnificent score by film composer Maurice Jarre. If I am not mistaken, as another poster here mentioned, it was successfully edited into a complete whole on a previous DVD edition. Anyway, the powerful drama of the film and strong charisma of Robert Powell as Jesus makes me instantly forget that it was made for TV. I cannot recommend this film highly enough!

[HDTV1080P]

This 1977 Jesus of Nazareth mini-series is one of my favorite Christian mini-series of all time. Since this mini-series was made for NBC back in 1977 I am guessing that the original film stock negative is in a 1.37:1 ratio. It would have been cool if the film stock was 35mm widescreen and they were only showing it in 1.33:1 (4:3) for 1977 NTSC viewers (but that is just a dream). So does anyone known if the original film stock was 16mm or 35mm? I understand that this 1977 Jesus of Nazareth TV mini-series was only filmed at 1.37:1 since 1.33:1 (4:3) is what 100% of all NTSC TV’s used back in 1977.

The different version lengths are confusing

If my memory is correct it’s been a little over 12 years since I have seen this Jesus of Nazareth mini-series. I purchased the original uncut 382 minute version when it was released in the USA back around 2-15-2000 on DVD (before then I owned a BETA videotape version since a USA Laserdisc version was either never made or out of print).

According to Wikipedia there are 3 versions of the Jesus of Nazareth mini-series. The original 371 minute version, a 360 minute UK version, and a 382 minute uncut version which is the one that was released in the United States back on 2-15-2000 on DVD and then re-released on DVD in the USA back on 8-20-2002.

German Blu-ray of Jesus of Nazareth Update (the German Blu-ray is also realty only 371 minutes with just more recaps, previews, and credits) : What is confusing is that the German Blu-ray is listed to have a running time of 391 minutes, but Blu-ray.com says the German Blu-ray has a running time of 386 minutes . Possible because of recap and previews the program length is longer? Also the German Blu-ray version is on 4 25GB single layer Blu-ray discs instead of using 2 50GB dual layer Blu-ray discs. Another issue with the German release appears to be a lower quality HD transfer according to the user reviews. The German release is also only region B which means I am not interested in it since it would cost around $150 to hack (upgrade) each one of my Blu-ray players so that they can play Blu-rays from region B and C.

Mexico Blu-ray of Jesus of Nazareth: The Mexico version of Jesus of Nazareth is listed as 382 minutes which is the same length as the uncut DVD USA version. The problem is it sounds like the Mexico Blu-ray version is really the 371 minute version of the mini-series instead of being the true 382 minute uncut version. Possible because of recap and previews the program length is longer?

So since I have the uncut version of Jesus of Nazareth mini-series already on DVD, I have decided to keep the version I have instead of downgrading to a Blu-ray version that has missing scenes. Yes it sounds like the German Blu-ray is the uncut version but I am not going to upgrade all my Blu-ray players to region selectable so that I can play one Blu-ray title that is region B (Update: the German version is really only 371 minute version with more recaps, previews, and credits).

Lately I have been purchasing region free import Blu-rays since many USA studios have not released region A Blu-ray’s for some titles. It would be logical that if the studio is located in the USA, then that studio should always release the movie on Blu-ray in the USA first. However, many times the USA version either never gets the Blu-ray title released or is the last country to see the Blu-ray title released. Perhaps the same is true with other studios around the world when it comes to some Blu-ray releases. Maybe the Blu-ray format is more successful in some other areas of the world compared to the United States. In the USA we have VUDU 1080P and other HD streaming services that are competing with the Blu-ray format. There are more streaming devices on the market then there are Blu-ray players since almost every modern HDTV and Blu-ray player offers a streaming feature like Walmarts VUDU service. VUDU and Amazon streaming services have several hundreds of titles for streaming that have never been released on Blu-ray or DVD yet (Even though the Blu-ray format is increasing in demand every year, total Blu-ray and DVD disc sell numbers in the USA keep falling every year because of streaming, cable, satellite, Internet, etc).

So I do pray that a two disc 50GB dual layer USA version of Jesus of Nazareth is also released in the United States in a 382 minute uncut version. It should receive a minimum of a 2.0 lossless audio transfer from the original studio master. For example a 2.0 PCM, 2.0 DTS-HD Master audio, or 2.0 Dolby TrueHD would be ideal. I wish there was an original widescreen negative. If the original film negative was at 1.37:1 then a 8K, 6K, or 4K master scan of the original film negative would be ideal before transferring it to 1080P Blu-ray. A minimum of 4K scan of the film negative would allow for the Jesus of Nazareth mini-series to be placed on a 4K optical format. The 4K optical format will most likely be released sometime around the year 2016.

Also the A.D. TV series about the Apostles and early church would be nice to own on Blu-ray in the future.

[The Mad Kiwi]

I have the Mexican Blu-ray and can verify that it's the 371-minute version (the 11 minutes extra listed on the cover are made up from recaps, previews, and credits since it presents it in four parts rather than as one continuous film like the Artisan DVD). It's missing one continuous chunk that covers both the Zerah and Judas scene and the beginning of the Last Supper. In other words, the first 8 minutes and 15 seconds of this video are not on the Blu-ray (were it not for the YouTube speed-up, it would be closer to 11):

Jesus of Nazareth - Part 20/28 [ the life of Christ ] (English) - YouTube

It jumps from Joseph of Arimathea saying, "Jesus of Nazareth is our brother" to Judas running outside. The edit works well since Zerah's line before Joseph's indicates he's about to find Judas, and then we cut to Judas a few seconds later. I do miss the beginning of the Last Supper, though, but for me it's worth it to have the rest of the miniseries in such great quality.

From what I understand, the German BD is NOT uncut. It's missing the same chunk the Mexican one is. It looks like the Zerah/Judas scene and the beginning of the Last Supper have never appeared on any video release except Artisan's, which I find odd since apparently the 4-part 1979 re-edit that the Mexican BD is sourced from had those scenes in there. Did the Mexican BD just track down the master for the 1977 original broadcast version and just tacked on the bumpers from the '79 one? Curiouser and curiouser...

[HDTV1080P]

Thanks for the information. So the German one is also realty only 371 minutes with just more recaps, previews, and credits or the length information is incorrect.

The following is a link to the uncut 382 minute version of Jesus of Nazarath on the standard 480i DVD format

Jesus of Nazareth (re-release on 8-20-2002 on 2 dual layer DVD’s).

Jesus of Nazareth (released 2-15-2000 on 2 dual layer DVD’s). Currently out of print and out of stock.

[HDTV1080P]

Hopefully Artisan sometime in the future will release a USA region A of Jesus of Nazareth Blu-ray in a 382 minute uncut version.

The 11 extra minutes are nice. It makes me wonder if there is more footage that could be added with a Ultimate Special Edition Blu-ray that would be around 7 hours long? I would only like to see extra longer versions of movies and mini-series as long as it adds to the overall quality of the story. Sometimes deleted scenes should stay deleted from movies or mini-series and placed on a bonus disc.

[R a p h a e L]

The Blu-Ray Mexican; it looks excellent!, much better than the German version, the only problem is that in both versions are missing two scenes, the talk of Judas with Zerah and the beginning of the last supper, not know the reason (although I have understood that this was how it originally aired on TV)... the Mexican DVD YES contains both scenes and lasts 382 minutes. It amazes me that in the United States or Italy have not released their own Blu-Ray of this miniseries, being that this year was its 35th anniversary... do you believe that it goes on sale for Christmas?, anyway... those who still do not have it and want to buy in Mexico, ask for in MixUp with confidently, MixUp is the store of CD's and DVD's #1 in Mexico, is safe to buy there, the Blu-Ray of "Jesus of Nazareth" now has discount, and it costs only: 16.3947 USD.

Look at this photo released by moviebuff75, showing Salome of John's head to Herodias, is shocking:

[psetto727]

Does anyone know if this version has the scene with Jesus and Mary Magdalene after the resurrection. There are other scenes that include the temptations in the dessert, calming of storm,walking on water and few more bits. Original scenes extended are a new scene showing Jesus walking through crowds to get to Simon the Pharisee's house,the agony in Gethsemane, Peter's denial,the flogging at the pillar,way of the cross and a resurrection appearance to the women at the tomb.

Does anyone know if this version has any of these? Thanks and God bless!

[psetto727]

Which version is the "uncut version" that you have? I am looking for the version where it shows Jesus appearing to Mary Magdalene after the resurrection. I know this scene exists but i dont think it has been shown for more than 30 years. My aunt claims she has seen that scene and i have read online somewhere that this scene does exist but i dont think its available on any of the versions. Do you know anything about this? thanks and God bless

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

This 1977 Jesus of Nazareth mini-series is one of my favorite Christian mini-series of all time. Since this mini-series was made for NBC back in 1977 I am guessing that the original film stock negative is in a 1.37:1 ratio. It would have been cool if the film stock was 35mm widescreen and they were only showing it in 1.33:1 (4:3) for 1977 NTSC viewers (but that is just a dream). So does anyone known if the original film stock was 16mm or 35mm? I understand that this 1977 Jesus of Nazareth TV mini-series was only filmed at 1.37:1 since 1.33:1 (4:3) is what 100% of all NTSC TV’s used back in 1977.

The different version lengths are confusing

If my memory is correct it’s been a little over 12 years since I have seen this Jesus of Nazareth mini-series. I purchased the original uncut 382 minute version when it was released in the USA back around 2-15-2000 on DVD (before then I owned a BETA videotape version since a USA Laserdisc version was either never made or out of print).

According to Wikipedia there are 3 versions of the Jesus of Nazareth mini-series. The original 371 minute version, a 360 minute UK version, and a 382 minute uncut version which is the one that was released in the United States back on 2-15-2000 on DVD and then re-released on DVD in the USA back on 8-20-2002.

German Blu-ray of Jesus of Nazareth Update (the German Blu-ray is also realty only 371 minutes with just more recaps, previews, and credits) : What is confusing is that the German Blu-ray is listed to have a running time of 391 minutes, but Blu-ray.com says the German Blu-ray has a running time of 386 minutes . Possible because of recap and previews the program length is longer? Also the German Blu-ray version is on 4 25GB single layer Blu-ray discs instead of using 2 50GB dual layer Blu-ray discs. Another issue with the German release appears to be a lower quality HD transfer according to the user reviews. The German release is also only region B which means I am not interested in it since it would cost around $150 to hack (upgrade) each one of my Blu-ray players so that they can play Blu-rays from region B and C.

Mexico Blu-ray of Jesus of Nazareth: The Mexico version of Jesus of Nazareth is listed as 382 minutes which is the same length as the uncut DVD USA version. The problem is it sounds like the Mexico Blu-ray version is really the 371 minute version of the mini-series instead of being the true 382 minute uncut version. Possible because of recap and previews the program length is longer?

So since I have the uncut version of Jesus of Nazareth mini-series already on DVD, I have decided to keep the version I have instead of downgrading to a Blu-ray version that has missing scenes. Yes it sounds like the German Blu-ray is the uncut version but I am not going to upgrade all my Blu-ray players to region selectable so that I can play one Blu-ray title that is region B (Update: the German version is really only 371 minute version with more recaps, previews, and credits).

Lately I have been purchasing region free import Blu-rays since many USA studios have not released region A Blu-ray’s for some titles. It would be logical that if the studio is located in the USA, then that studio should always release the movie on Blu-ray in the USA first. However, many times the USA version either never gets the Blu-ray title released or is the last country to see the Blu-ray title released. Perhaps the same is true with other studios around the world when it comes to some Blu-ray releases. Maybe the Blu-ray format is more successful in some other areas of the world compared to the United States. In the USA we have VUDU 1080P and other HD streaming services that are competing with the Blu-ray format. There are more streaming devices on the market then there are Blu-ray players since almost every modern HDTV and Blu-ray player offers a streaming feature like Walmarts VUDU service. VUDU and Amazon streaming services have several hundreds of titles for streaming that have never been released on Blu-ray or DVD yet (Even though the Blu-ray format is increasing in demand every year, total Blu-ray and DVD disc sell numbers in the USA keep falling every year because of streaming, cable, satellite, Internet, etc).

So I do pray that a two disc 50GB dual layer USA version of Jesus of Nazareth is also released in the United States in a 382 minute uncut version. It should receive a minimum of a 2.0 lossless audio transfer from the original studio master. For example a 2.0 PCM, 2.0 DTS-HD Master audio, or 2.0 Dolby TrueHD would be ideal. I wish there was an original widescreen negative. If the original film negative was at 1.37:1 then a 8K, 6K, or 4K master scan of the original film negative would be ideal before transferring it to 1080P Blu-ray. A minimum of 4K scan of the film negative would allow for the Jesus of Nazareth mini-series to be placed on a 4K optical format. The 4K optical format will most likely be released sometime around the year 2016.

Also the A.D. TV series about the Apostles and early church would be nice to own on Blu-ray in the future.

[Arkadin]

[quote]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

Hopefully Artisan sometime in the future will release a USA region A of Jesus of Nazareth Blu-ray in a 382 minute uncut version.

Artisan doesn't even exist anymore I don't believe.
The Artisan films are controlled by Lionsgate now.

[moviebuff75]

I emailed Lionsgate earlier this year and let them know that the international blu-ray releases were missing two scenes. They said they would forward the information to the correct parties. I'm hoping that when it does appear in the U.S. the two scenes are back in the film.

[Clark Kent]

One of the big problems for this mini-series is that the rights are tied up with different distributors in each country, so there is no real incentive for any one of them to fund a restoration and create a modern HD transfer. It would have to be a joint effort by several different distributors banding together and splitting the costs for the project.

Sadly, I think Lionsgate has zero inclination to release this in America on Blu-ray. Anyone know who is the Canadian distributor?

[moviebuff75]

It's a shame Criterion can't release it in the U.S. I would like to see the 1979 expanded edition (the one on dvd in the U.S.), but with the promos, credits, and teasers for each of the four parts (as they are in the international blu-rays.)

[Arkadin]

really want to get this bd.
question--is there an Mexican etailer with an English language site that accepts paypal that has this to order?
or is there any English language etailer anywhere that takes paypal that I can order this from?
any help or links would be appreciated.

[rondanto]

Hopefully this blu ray version will have the two deleted scenes restored. Miniseries aired on tbs during december with both scenes deleted

[kdo]

Originally Posted by HDTV1080P

[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Calibri][SIZE=3]This 1977 Jesus of Nazareth mini-series is one of my favorite Christian mini-series of all time. Since this mini-series was made for NBC back in 1977 I am guessing that the original film stock negative is in a 1.37:1 ratio. It would have been cool if the film stock was 35mm widescreen and they were only showing it in 1.33:1 (4:3) for 1977 NTSC viewers (but that is just a dream). So does anyone known if the original film stock was 16mm or 35mm?

According to tech specs at IMDB it was shot 35mm spherical, so yes, the negative would be 1.37:1 and was shown 1.33:1 when it initially aired on television in 1977:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075520/...ef_=tt_dt_spec

It would be nice to see this film on Blu. I had the Region-1 full-length 382 minute Artisan 2-disc DVD for years, but then passed it onto fellow Believers who hadn't seen it, as I'd watched it about 5 or 6 times by that point! Quality was not very good on the set, but then again, I doubt very little work went into prepping the film for release on DVD. In fact, video quality almost looked like VHS to me in many regards, so it would be nice to see a proper uncut HD release...