# Has there ever been a decent Jesus movie? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 8, 2005, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595 "2005-12-08T01:07:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595/21 "2005-12-08T16:37:32Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > The animated _Miracle Maker_ was pretty good, I thought. I second that! As well as the plugs for the miniseries JESUS OF NAZARETH. I add- the silent 1920s DeMille KING OF KINGS- beautifully crafted; JESUS- THE (CBS) MINI-SERIES with Jeremy Sisto as a fun, laid-back but total GodMan, Debra Messing as the Magdalene & Gary Oldman as Pilate. RE JC SUPERSTAR- I kinda like the movie, and it’s vastly preferable to the recent video re-imagining which has Black Caiaphas & Black Pilate, White Groovy Androgynous JC, Judas with Dominatrix Demonesses singing SUPERSTAR, and Rik Mayall as Big Gay Herod.- THAT all was abyssmal! ---
**Author:** ![Talon\_Karrde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Talon\_Karrde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talon_Karrde)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595/22 "2005-12-08T19:39:43Z")
The worst Jesus movie I saw is one that I can’t even remember the name of. Jesus was played by a british guy with really white teeth and neat looking hair, and he wasn’t inspiring at all. Judas was portrayed as a shifty-eyed not as white guy. The thing I really like about Ben-Hur is that it portrays Judas as a more sympathetic character. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595/23 "2005-12-08T19:54:49Z")
JCS is OK. The 2000 remake is better by orders of magnitude. ALW agrees, it closely matches his original conception. By far my favorite Jesus movie. Godspell is my #2. > [@FriarTed](#): > > JESUS- THE (CBS) MINI-SERIES with Jeremy Sisto as a fun, laid-back but total GodMan, Debra Messing as the Magdalene & Gary Oldman as Pilate. Yuck! I thought it was pretty awful. Jesus had an American accent. Joseph was Greek, Mary was British. That was one multicultural family! But yeah, Debra Messing was hot. I’d be messing with her boobies a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595/24 "2005-12-08T20:17:41Z")
I love the 70’s version of **Jesus Christ Superstar** - Soooooo… You are the Christ, you’re the great Jesus Christ. Prove to me that you’re no fool walk across my swimming pool… \* I also like **The Last Temptation…**. Great soundtrack too by Peter Gabriel. How many here have seen [**Greaser’s Palace**](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068659/). Great psychedelic 70s interpretation set as a western. I _highly_ recommend it. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595/25 "2005-12-08T20:25:44Z")
I thought _Jesus vs. MechaJesus_ was a hoot. Especially the part where they trashed Jerusalem. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595/26 "2005-12-08T20:40:15Z")
Well, the sfx were pretty good in _The Matrix…_ ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595/27 "2005-12-08T20:49:25Z")
> [@Moe](#): > > I love the 70’s version of **Jesus Christ Superstar** But the newer one is so much better. I believe that if one had to set one objective criterion for deciding which version is best, it’s how the title character sings Gethsemene. Ted Neeley does a fine job. Moving, even. But Glenn Carter send chills up my spine. Whenever I watch that movie, I have to watch that scene twice. The “Nail me to your cross and break me” line is sung with such… such… uh, fabuloustitization, it’s hard to believe anyone could have a voice like that. The guy is truly gifted. It’s almost like he’s the Son of God or something. And the penultimate song with Judas turning the crucifixion into some sort of TV reality show is a stroke of genius. The only thing it doesn’t have going for it is, unlike the original, porn star Ron Jeremy isn’t in it. ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595/28 "2005-12-08T23:07:28Z")
There’s one that my friends and I referred to as “Shiny Happy Jesus”. They play it on channels like TBN. In my opinion it is pretty good. Jesus is actually a pretty likable and real character. He’s not very good looking. He’s pretty average and looks like a Jew. He’s just so happy about everything. EVERYTHING… well until the beating and crucifying. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595/29 "2005-12-08T23:13:57Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > Glenn Carter send chills up my spine. He was pretty damn good in the recent stage production of Lloyd-Webber’s adaptation of _Whistle Down The Wind_ too. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2005, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595/30 "2005-12-08T23:58:55Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > The only thing it doesn’t have going for it is, unlike the original, porn star Ron Jeremy isn’t in it. Wrong porn star. Philip Toubus, who played the apostle Peter, later became a porn actor and director under the name [Paul Thomas](http://us.imdb.com/name/nm0680119/). ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595/31 "2005-12-09T00:10:22Z")
Don’t fret. \*Narnia \*comes out tomorrow! 🙂 I really liked _The Last Temptation of Christ_. Even if you don’t agree with the premise, it’s a fresh new take on the story. Harvey Kitel as Judas-- now that’s genius. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595/32 "2005-12-09T02:16:08Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > Don’t fret. \*Narnia \*comes out tomorrow! 🙂 > > I really liked _The Last Temptation of Christ_. Even if you don’t agree with the premise, it’s a fresh new take on the story. Harvey Kitel as Judas-- now that’s genius. Ah, but does \*Narnia \*have any porn stars in it? That’s what really MAKES a Jesus movie! ---
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595/33 "2005-12-09T04:24:36Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > But the newer one is so much better. > > I believe that if one had to set one objective criterion for deciding which version is best, it’s how the title character sings Gethsemene. Ted Neeley does a fine job. Moving, even. But Glenn Carter send chills up my spine. Whenever I watch that movie, I have to watch that scene twice. The “Nail me to your cross and break me” line is sung with such… such… uh, fabuloustitization, it’s hard to believe anyone could have a voice like that. The guy is truly gifted. It’s almost like he’s the Son of God or something. > > And the penultimate song with Judas turning the crucifixion into some sort of TV reality show is a stroke of genius. > > The only thing it doesn’t have going for it is, unlike the original, porn star Ron Jeremy isn’t in it. I haven’t seen it, but I just checked the reviews on imdb. Wow!! I will make it a point to see this very soon. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595/34 "2005-12-09T05:16:47Z")
Which was the Jesus movie without a person playing Jesus? IIRC there is one where basically the camera is Jesus. Ben Hur has Jesus as a side figure and you only get fleeting glimpses of him. But you do get the chariot race. ---
**Author:** ![slortar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@slortar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slortar)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595/35 "2005-12-09T13:15:11Z")
> [@Evil Captor](#): > > Ah, but does \*Narnia \*have any porn stars in it? That’s what really MAKES a Jesus movie! I’m sure you’ll be able to find a copy of “Hornia” in a few weeks, on the same shelf as “Foreskin Gump” and “Shaving Ryan’s Privates.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595/36 "2005-12-09T14:48:07Z")
> [@slortar](#): > > I’m sure you’ll be able to find a copy of “Hornia” in a few weeks, on the same shelf as “Foreskin Gump” and “Shaving Ryan’s Privates.” 😃 Make it a double feature with “Lord of the G-String: Femaleship of the String” (REAL movie with the yummy Misty Mundae!) ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595/37 "2005-12-09T16:02:15Z")
Pasolini’s “Gospel according to St Matthew” ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595/38 "2005-12-09T16:11:17Z")
> [@Moe](#): > > I haven’t seen it, but I just checked the reviews on imdb. Wow!! I will make it a point to see this very soon. I’m not sure what reviews you read, but I only saw one and it wasn’t very positive. And I have to say that I strongly disagree with it. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595/39 "2005-12-09T19:01:37Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > The only thing it doesn’t have going for it is, unlike the original, porn star Ron Jeremy isn’t in it. 😕 I looked at the cast list in the IMDB entry for the 1973 version of _JCS_ ([http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070239/](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070239/)), and I couldn’t find Ron Jeremy. Was he using a different name? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2005, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595/40 "2005-12-09T19:10:06Z")
According to this he was uncredited. [http://www.lowcomdom.com/film/j/jesus\_christ\_superstar.html](http://www.lowcomdom.com/film/j/jesus_christ_superstar.html) Try a google search of [Ron Jeremy Jesus Christ Superstar](http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Ron+Jeremy+Jesus+Christ+Superstar&btnG=Google+Search) Jim [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/has-there-ever-been-a-decent-jesus-movie/334595.md?page=3)