WHEN WE WERE growing up, before the advent of cable television, most channels didn?t telecast during Holy Week, while the few networks that were operational featured programs consisting mainly of Masses, discussions about Lent and religious productions.

With very few choices, we would settle for what was available. But, one movie (which, we later found out, was originally a miniseries) that really stuck us was Franco Zeffirelli?s ?Jesus of Nazareth,? whose airing we eagerly awaited every Holy Week. Back then, we didn?t mind waiting for its continuation the next day, as it was shown in parts because of its lengthy running time.

Intense portrayal

Robert Powell?s intense and impressive portrayal of Jesus had us glued to the TV set for hours, and our young mind would often associate the actor?s face with that of the real One. Everytime the camera would focus on Powell?s face as he delivered his lines, we would get goose bumps as we stared in those soulful eyes because they were, as our mom described, ?parang
estampita.?

Olivia Hussey as the young and pretty Mary was also a sight to behold. Her screen presence truly personified the simplicity, humility and obedience of the mother of the Messiah. And her ?pieta? scene with Powell never failed to move us to tears.

The formidable cast also included screen legends like Laurence Olivier, Christopher Plummer and Anthony Quinn.

Miracles

One of our favorite scenes was the segment showing Jesus? miracles, which we would often watch first when we rented a copy of the movie from video shops or borrowed one from a family friend?s personal video collection?because, as a child, we were in awe of Jesus performing all those miracles: Healing the sick, feeding multitudes, making the blind see and the crippled walk, casting out demons, bringing the dead to life, etc.

Now that we?ve grown up, the magic of ?Jesus of Nazareth? continues to capture our hearts like it did when we were still a kid. And, as Holy Week begins, our copy of the film is ready to be played again.

But, no matter how many times we view it, the most important thing is, we get to appreciate and live by its message: That Jesus died for all of us because that?s how much he loves us.