An evocative version of Jesus Christ's life with a true Spanish all-star-epic treatment and being spectacularly shot in Spain and Israel . This highly regarded epic deals with a dramatic recreation of the life of Christ from ¨Judas's¨ (Rafael Rivelles) point of sight . Dealing with Apostles (Pedro : Manuel Monroy , Santiago: Arturo Fernández), miracles , judgement , Sanedrín with major priest Fariseo Caifas and Misael (Félix Dafauce) , and , finally , Crucifixion . Interesting retelling at the life and teachings of Christ (José Nieto) under a historical and religious view point . The film includes all of the major events referred to in the New Testament with descriptive Biblical passages ; John the Baptist's appearance ; the miracles as Lazaro's Resurrection , cripples walking , blind people seeing ; Canaan weddings with transformation water into wine ; the Roman officer Quinto Licinio (Francisco Rabal) , his relationship to 12 apostles , his entry in city of Jerusalem , Veronica's shroud , Christ passion , Golgotha , the thieves : Dimas and Gestas , and so on . Jesus Christ's journey from Galilee to Golgotha is portrayed here in thought-provoking as well as enjoyable treatment . John the Baptist and Pontius Pilate (Gerard Tichy who played Joseph, husband of Mary, six years later in the Hollywood/Spanish epic "King of Kings") are also regarded . However , not completely reverential at some Biblical characters such as Judas Iscariote portraying the man less a traitor than as an unsettling as well as regretful person .
This is an impressive story of the life of Judas and his relationship with Jesus Christ to his Crucifixion and subsequent Resurrection . Filmed on a relatively grand scale , though unfortunately in black and white , being efficiently produced by Aspa Productions adding big name cast , and fine support actors . Life of Christ is intelligently told by prestigious screenwriter Vicente Escrivá , including glowing cinematography in black and white by Alfredo Fraile , an attractive visual style , memorable soundtrack by the classical Cristóbal Halffter and excellent cast giving larger-than-life interpretation . Rafael Rivelles provides a very good acting as a furtive as well as shifty Judas , Rivelles in exactly the right role , similarly to ¨El Quijote¨, he delivers a dedicated effort at the character , his acting has power , nobility and subtlety . Being a big Spanish production shot in Spain and Palestina there appears several Spanish actors in brief performances such as Fernando Sancho , José Nieto , Manuel Monroy , German Cobos , José Manuel Martin , Milagros Leal , Santiago Rivero , Félix Dafauce , among others . Breathtaking and majestic production design by Enrique Alarcón , filmed on location in Manzanares , Navacerrada , Madrid , and Cea , Chamartin studios , and on location in Israel . The motion picture was compellingly directed by Rafael Gil and it had some wins and 1 nominations , as Venice Film Festival 1954 , Nominated Golden Lion Rafael Gil .
Other films about ¨Jesús¨ dealing with his divine presence are the followings : ¨King of Kings¨ (1961) by Nicolas Ray with Jeffrey Hunter , Robert Ryan , Harry Guardino , Conrado San Martin , and production designer Enrique Alarcón himself , it is the yardstick by which all Jesus movies are to be measure . Other pictures : ¨King of Kings¨ (released in 1927) , first silent version by Cecil B. DeMille with H.B. Wagner ; ¨The greatest story ever told¨ (1965) by George Stevens with Max Von Sidow , Charlton Heston , Jose Ferrer , Sidney Poitier , Claude Rains ; ¨Gospel according to Matthew¨ by Pier Paolo Pasolini with Enrique Irazoqui as Jesus ; ¨Jesus Christ Superstar¨(1977) by Norman Jewison with Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson ; ¨Jesus de Nazareth¨(1977) by Franco Zeffirelli with Robert Powell , Olivia Hussey , James Mason , Laurence Olivier , Anne Brancfort , Fernando Rey ; ¨Last temptation of Christ¨ by Martin Scorsese with Willem Dafoe , David Bowie , Harvey Keitel , Ian Holm , Harry Dean Staton ; and ¨The Passion of the Christ¨ (2004) by Mel Gibson with James Cazievel , Maia Morgenstern and Monica Belucci .
