Biblical legend has it that John the Baptist only met his cousin Jesus one time, seemingly unaware that they were kinsman, but recognizing through his own faith that he had just encountered the Messiah. Michael York was featured in the last scenes of part one of this excellent miniseries, and here, he continues his campaign against King Herod Agrippa and his new wife, Queen herodias, who has divorced Herod's brother so she could be queen. This story is a variation of the same story told quite differently in 1953's "Salome", and replacing Charles Laugton and Judith Anderson as Herod and Herodias are Christopher Plummer (who seems to be playing King Herod as a drunk) and Valentina Cortes, who is much more subtle than Anderson even though she highly resembles her. Herodias is even closer to Livia from "I Claudius" here with her cold subtle calculating.
The scene between Michael York and Robert Powell who comes on in the first few minutes, given some great lighting for his first close up, is absolutely wonderful, and that is followed by John the Baptist looking on as Jesus, now baptized, walks off into the sunset to start his own days of glory. The collection of the disciples follows, and you get to know the character of Jesus as played by Powell, a gentle, soft-spoken performance that is never bombastic but comforting and mesmerizing. He's a complete contrast from York who has never been so audacious, but certainly not over the top like Alan Badel was in "Salome". A scene where Jesus removes an evil spirit out of a possessed young man is very frightening.
So while some years are missing from the story of Jesus's life, mainly what happens after his initial sermon in the temple, you do get a much more detailed version of the events leading up to his last days, particularly with the story of John the Baptist and the royals. It would take a ton of research and a lengthy running time, lasting more than a week, to try to put together a comprehensive life story of Jesus's 33 years, especially the missing childhood years. Legendary actors Anne Bancroft, Laurence Olivier and James Mason add memorable moments as characters well remembered from the scriptures. The photography surpasses itself from the first episode with Gorgeous location footage and of course some classic moments from the scriptures beautifully dramatized. This should be a holiday perennial, whether for Christmas or Easter, just absolutely stunning in every way, and quite inspiring with its devotion to what the audience has already read from the scriptures.
The scene between Michael York and Robert Powell who comes on in the first few minutes, given some great lighting for his first close up, is absolutely wonderful, and that is followed by John the Baptist looking on as Jesus, now baptized, walks off into the sunset to start his own days of glory. The collection of the disciples follows, and you get to know the character of Jesus as played by Powell, a gentle, soft-spoken performance that is never bombastic but comforting and mesmerizing. He's a complete contrast from York who has never been so audacious, but certainly not over the top like Alan Badel was in "Salome". A scene where Jesus removes an evil spirit out of a possessed young man is very frightening.
So while some years are missing from the story of Jesus's life, mainly what happens after his initial sermon in the temple, you do get a much more detailed version of the events leading up to his last days, particularly with the story of John the Baptist and the royals. It would take a ton of research and a lengthy running time, lasting more than a week, to try to put together a comprehensive life story of Jesus's 33 years, especially the missing childhood years. Legendary actors Anne Bancroft, Laurence Olivier and James Mason add memorable moments as characters well remembered from the scriptures. The photography surpasses itself from the first episode with Gorgeous location footage and of course some classic moments from the scriptures beautifully dramatized. This should be a holiday perennial, whether for Christmas or Easter, just absolutely stunning in every way, and quite inspiring with its devotion to what the audience has already read from the scriptures.
