How a 1977 television epic defined the visual image of Jesus for modern audiences.
In short: Franco Zeffirelli’s Jesus of Nazareth remains a landmark in religious cinema. Starring Robert Powell, whose piercing, unblinking gaze became the definitive cinematic portrait of Christ, the production overcame protests, budget crises, and even a wandering R2-D2 from the nearby Star Wars set to become a global television phenomenon.
Conceived after Pope Paul VI encouraged producer Lew Grade to create a film about the life of Jesus, the 1977 miniseries was designed to be ecumenical and accessible to all denominations. Zeffirelli, a devout Catholic, was handpicked by the Pontiff for the project. The production was an ambitious international effort, with principal photography occurring in Morocco and Tunisia between September 1975 and May 1976. The scale was massive, featuring an ensemble cast of legendary actors like Laurence Olivier, Anne Bancroft, and Peter Ustinov.
The casting of Robert Powell was pivotal. Zeffirelli sought an actor whose face resonated with traditional art, specifically the image associated with the Shroud of Turin. Powell’s performance was marked by a deliberate, unrelenting eye contact—a technique he adopted from earlier portrayals by H. B. Warner and Max von Sydow. To maintain a gaunt, worn appearance for the crucifixion, Powell famously restricted his diet to cheese for twelve days. His portrayal was so impactful that it has since become a staple in popular devotional art, shaping the collective imagination of Christ more than perhaps any other film.
The production faced significant controversy before its debut. American fundamentalist leaders, including Bob Jones III, denounced the film as blasphemous without having seen it, fearing it denied Christ's divinity. This pressure caused original sponsor General Motors to withdraw its $3 million investment. Procter and Gamble stepped in, and the producers added scenes depicting the empty tomb to address concerns regarding the resurrection. Despite the rocky start, the series was a massive ratings success, attracting an estimated 90 million viewers in the United States alone. It remains a recurring broadcast tradition worldwide, cementing its status as one of the most widely marketed and critically acclaimed productions about the life of Christ.
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