Jesus of Nazareth - Blu-ray Forum

Blu Myers · 02-10-2011, 01:10 PM

I would love to get this great miniseries on BD. So many big stars and Robert Powell gives the best performance as Jesus than anyone before or since.

akarma · 02-26-2011, 09:35 AM

absolutely agree. Awesome movie! It will be great if BD appear. Glad to hear any news about it

The Mad Kiwi · 02-26-2011, 06:30 PM

Outside of The Passion of the Christ (which covered the last act of the Gospels in a manner no other film can touch), Jesus of Nazareth is my favorite film about Christ. Robert Powell's Jesus may be a little too aloof, but the miniseries makes up for this by making everyone else decidedly human. The cast is certainly impressive, and I like to refer this version as "The Gospel According to Shakespeare." It really emphasizes the drama in a manner most other Jesus films fall short in, and the new dialogue mixes in well with the Scriptural quotes.

The Artisan DVD, however, is hideous. It's a blurry, washed out mess that really brings the miniseries down. Apparently the UK DVD has better quality, but at the mercy of cutting huge chunks out. Lionsgate, it seems, owns the right to the series now but has no intention of releasing it to BD at the moment. I can sort of understand why. Giving a 6.5 hour miniseries a thorough restoration is expensive and daunting. Lionsgate should know, though, that Jesus of Nazareth has always been a perennial favorite for many people, so it will make them a profit in the long run. Maybe they'll change their minds in time for the film's 35th anniversary next year.

P@t_Mtl · 02-26-2011, 08:32 PM

I have the DVD and yes it's really bad. Let's hope they release it on Blu-ray, they will have a sale with me

Blu Myers · 03-24-2011, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Mad Kiwi

Outside of The Passion of the Christ (which covered the last act of the Gospels in a manner no other film can touch), Jesus of Nazareth is my favorite film about Christ. Robert Powell's Jesus may be a little too aloof, but the miniseries makes up for this by making everyone else decidedly human. The cast is certainly impressive, and I like to refer this version as "The Gospel According to Shakespeare." It really emphasizes the drama in a manner most other Jesus films fall short in, and the new dialogue mixes in well with the Scriptural quotes.

The Artisan DVD, however, is hideous. It's a blurry, washed out mess that really brings the miniseries down. Apparently the UK DVD has better quality, but at the mercy of cutting huge chunks out. Lionsgate, it seems, owns the right to the series now but has no intention of releasing it to BD at the moment. I can sort of understand why. Giving a 6.5 hour miniseries a thorough restoration is expensive and daunting. Lionsgate should know, though, that Jesus of Nazareth has always been a perennial favorite for many people, so it will make them a profit in the long run. Maybe they'll change their minds in time for the film's 35th anniversary next year.

I wonder if there is a widescreen version out there, in the 1:85 ratio. I doubt it since most tv shows were filmed in 4:3 back then...would be nice though.

I would love to just see a good restoration though. It needs it. It's not like Lionsgate wouldn't make money off it though. It's a holiday classic.

benbess · 03-24-2011, 12:53 PM

directed by Franco Z, huh. Sounds like good stuff.

Technical specifications for
"Jesus of Nazareth" (1977) More at IMDbPro »
Laboratory
Technicolor

Film negative format (mm/video inches)
35 mm

Cinematographic process
Spherical

Printed film format
35 mm

Aspect ratio
1.33 : 1

ufoclub1977 · 05-18-2011, 09:59 PM

I hope this does get released. With a good marketing push it could be a big seller! This was a great series, and I'm not even religious.

rondanto · 05-22-2011, 02:23 AM

Even the old rca ced disc set is better than the mess currently available from artisan/lionsgate

sicoe · 12-25-2011, 08:50 PM

https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Jesus...Blu-ray/35506/

It looks official. In Germany, at least Jesus of Nazareth will have a March 2, 2012 Blu-ray release. This is fantastic news!!!!

I expect to have the whole uncut version of the film, with a new restoration and extensive bonus features. I own the UK DVD, which was marketed as being the complete version, but unfortunately it is not.

Let's hope this is the release the film deserves

The Mad Kiwi · 12-25-2011, 11:15 PM

That's fantastic news! With Mexico supposedly getting theirs and Germany's on the way, the US and UK ones can't be far behind. I really hope the transfer's up to par, though even if it's a rush job, it certainly has to be better than the current DVD.

akarma · 02-11-2012, 04:24 PM

Wow at last

moviebuff75 · 02-11-2012, 06:26 PM

Someone bought the Mexico blu-ray and says it has been completely restored and looks great! It also includes all teaser previews recaps, and credits for each of the four episodes, as well as a special feature of stills playing with the theme music.

moviebuff75 · 02-11-2012, 07:50 PM

BTW, I contacted Lionsgate and they said they have no information about a U.S. release and to check back in a few months.

Falaskan · 02-11-2012, 09:40 PM

I will buy this in a heartbeat!

moviebuff75 · 02-12-2012, 08:34 PM

The Mexico blu-ray, I have found, is missing two scenes: During the Last Supper when Jesus says that one of you is about to betray me, and a scene with Zerah and Judas. These scenes were also missing on the last UK dvd release. I'm hoping the scenes will be restored when the US version is released.

Falaskan · 02-12-2012, 09:51 PM

poo, that is disappointing. I don't remember this, but even tho the DVD version says "uncut" my mom always talked about remembering a scene where the temple curtain is torn. Does anyone else remember this?

moviebuff75 · 02-12-2012, 10:12 PM

That scene wasn't in Jesus of Nazareth. The dvd is uncut. There is a little hope...The German release is listed as 4 minutes longer than the Mexican release. I am quite familiar with these cut scenes, and that sounds about right. I hope.

The Mad Kiwi · 02-13-2012, 11:42 PM

I wonder how they can even pull off cutting out the bit where Jesus announces His betrayal since that bit leads into Peter making John ask who it is, and THAT in turn leads to the dipping of the bread bit where Jesus tells Judas to go. Does Judas randomly disappear from the scene in the UK and Mexican versions?

Anyway, I'm excited to hear about how good the transfer is. I would love to see screencaps at some point for comparison. Since Lionsgate is so unresponsive, I'm thinking about importing the German release, especially if it's uncut.

I can only hold out hope that the reason Lionsgate's being lame is because they're prepping substantial bonus material for their release (deleted scenes? Franco Zeffirelli's gone on record that he cut out 68 minutes' worth of footage that he intended on restoring at some point. I'm dying to see the temptation in the wilderness sequence, in particular).

Falaskan · 02-14-2012, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Mad Kiwi

I'm dying to see the temptation in the wilderness sequence, in particular).

Was that filmed?? awesome-sauce!

moviebuff75 · 02-14-2012, 12:21 AM

They filmed the temptation in the desert, a shot of the head of John the baptist, and an alternate resurrection scene. The first and last of these were not good enough for the director to include. I would love to see them though. One ray of hope..the Amazon page for the German release has the Chapter listings and there is a Chapter called "Judas' Betrayal" so I'm hopeful. The recaps aren't listed on that page though.

02-10-2011, 01:10 PM	#1
Blu Myers Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:Sep 2007 Location:Haddonfield, IL Home Theater Gallery:17 4K collection:37 Blu-ray collection:655 Digital collection:10 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:108	Jesus of Nazareth I would love to get this great miniseries on BD. So many big stars and Robert Powell gives the best performance as Jesus than anyone before or since.

05-18-2011, 09:59 PM	#7
ufoclub1977 New Member Member since:May 2011	Hope I hope this does get released. With a good marketing push it could be a big seller! This was a great series, and I'm not even religious.

05-22-2011, 02:23 AM	#8
rondanto Active Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:BROOKLYN , N.Y Blu-ray collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 7	Jesus of nazareth Even the old rca ced disc set is better than the mess currently available from artisan/lionsgate

12-25-2011, 08:50 PM	#9
sicoe Active Member Member since:Nov 2009 Location:Timisoara, Romania 4K collection:75 Blu-ray collection:285 Blu-ray reviews: 8	Jesus of Nazareth Blu-ray https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Jesus...Blu-ray/35506/ It looks official. In Germany, at least Jesus of Nazareth will have a March 2, 2012 Blu-ray release. This is fantastic news!!!! I expect to have the whole uncut version of the film, with a new restoration and extensive bonus features. I own the UK DVD, which was marketed as being the complete version, but unfortunately it is not. Let's hope this is the release the film deserves

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02-26-2011, 09:35 AM	#2
akarma Member Member since:Feb 2010	absolutely agree. Awesome movie! It will be great if BD appear. Glad to hear any news about it

02-26-2011, 06:30 PM	#3
The Mad Kiwi Power Member Top contributor Member since:Jun 2010 Location:Florida 4K collection:199 Blu-ray collection:902 DVD collection:128 Digital collection:16	Outside of The Passion of the Christ (which covered the last act of the Gospels in a manner no other film can touch), Jesus of Nazareth is my favorite film about Christ. Robert Powell's Jesus may be a little too aloof, but the miniseries makes up for this by making everyone else decidedly human. The cast is certainly impressive, and I like to refer this version as "The Gospel According to Shakespeare." It really emphasizes the drama in a manner most other Jesus films fall short in, and the new dialogue mixes in well with the Scriptural quotes. The Artisan DVD, however, is hideous. It's a blurry, washed out mess that really brings the miniseries down. Apparently the UK DVD has better quality, but at the mercy of cutting huge chunks out. Lionsgate, it seems, owns the right to the series now but has no intention of releasing it to BD at the moment. I can sort of understand why. Giving a 6.5 hour miniseries a thorough restoration is expensive and daunting. Lionsgate should know, though, that Jesus of Nazareth has always been a perennial favorite for many people, so it will make them a profit in the long run. Maybe they'll change their minds in time for the film's 35th anniversary next year.

02-26-2011, 08:32 PM	#4
P@t_Mtl Blu-ray Duke Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Montreal Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:452 DVD collection:513 Trading Score:3	I have the DVD and yes it's really bad. Let's hope they release it on Blu-ray, they will have a sale with me

03-24-2011, 12:53 PM	#6
benbess Blu-ray Guru Member since:Aug 2009 Location:Louisville, KY Blu-ray reviews: 65	directed by Franco Z, huh. Sounds like good stuff. Technical specifications for "Jesus of Nazareth" (1977) More at IMDbPro » Laboratory Technicolor Film negative format (mm/video inches) 35 mm Cinematographic process Spherical Printed film format 35 mm Aspect ratio 1.33 : 1

12-25-2011, 11:15 PM	#10
The Mad Kiwi Power Member Top contributor Member since:Jun 2010 Location:Florida 4K collection:199 Blu-ray collection:902 DVD collection:128 Digital collection:16	That's fantastic news! With Mexico supposedly getting theirs and Germany's on the way, the US and UK ones can't be far behind. I really hope the transfer's up to par, though even if it's a rush job, it certainly has to be better than the current DVD.

02-11-2012, 04:24 PM	#11
akarma Member Member since:Feb 2010	Wow at last

02-11-2012, 06:26 PM	#12
moviebuff75 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2009 4K collection:119 Blu-ray collection:1499 DVD collection:14	Someone bought the Mexico blu-ray and says it has been completely restored and looks great! It also includes all teaser previews recaps, and credits for each of the four episodes, as well as a special feature of stills playing with the theme music.

02-11-2012, 07:50 PM	#13
moviebuff75 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2009 4K collection:119 Blu-ray collection:1499 DVD collection:14	BTW, I contacted Lionsgate and they said they have no information about a U.S. release and to check back in a few months.

02-11-2012, 09:40 PM	#14
Falaskan Banned Top contributor Member since:Mar 2011 Location:Alaska Blu-ray collection:274 DVD collection:60 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:44	I will buy this in a heartbeat!

02-12-2012, 08:34 PM	#15
moviebuff75 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2009 4K collection:119 Blu-ray collection:1499 DVD collection:14	The Mexico blu-ray, I have found, is missing two scenes: During the Last Supper when Jesus says that one of you is about to betray me, and a scene with Zerah and Judas. These scenes were also missing on the last UK dvd release. I'm hoping the scenes will be restored when the US version is released.

02-12-2012, 09:51 PM	#16
Falaskan Banned Top contributor Member since:Mar 2011 Location:Alaska Blu-ray collection:274 DVD collection:60 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:44	poo, that is disappointing. I don't remember this, but even tho the DVD version says "uncut" my mom always talked about remembering a scene where the temple curtain is torn. Does anyone else remember this?

02-12-2012, 10:12 PM	#17
moviebuff75 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2009 4K collection:119 Blu-ray collection:1499 DVD collection:14	That scene wasn't in Jesus of Nazareth. The dvd is uncut. There is a little hope...The German release is listed as 4 minutes longer than the Mexican release. I am quite familiar with these cut scenes, and that sounds about right. I hope.

02-13-2012, 11:42 PM	#18
The Mad Kiwi Power Member Top contributor Member since:Jun 2010 Location:Florida 4K collection:199 Blu-ray collection:902 DVD collection:128 Digital collection:16	I wonder how they can even pull off cutting out the bit where Jesus announces His betrayal since that bit leads into Peter making John ask who it is, and THAT in turn leads to the dipping of the bread bit where Jesus tells Judas to go. Does Judas randomly disappear from the scene in the UK and Mexican versions? Anyway, I'm excited to hear about how good the transfer is. I would love to see screencaps at some point for comparison. Since Lionsgate is so unresponsive, I'm thinking about importing the German release, especially if it's uncut. I can only hold out hope that the reason Lionsgate's being lame is because they're prepping substantial bonus material for their release (deleted scenes? Franco Zeffirelli's gone on record that he cut out 68 minutes' worth of footage that he intended on restoring at some point. I'm dying to see the temptation in the wilderness sequence, in particular).

02-14-2012, 12:21 AM	#20
moviebuff75 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2009 4K collection:119 Blu-ray collection:1499 DVD collection:14	They filmed the temptation in the desert, a shot of the head of John the baptist, and an alternate resurrection scene. The first and last of these were not good enough for the director to include. I would love to see them though. One ray of hope..the Amazon page for the German release has the Chapter listings and there is a Chapter called "Judas' Betrayal" so I'm hopeful. The recaps aren't listed on that page though.

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