Jesus at the Movies: A Guide to the First Hundred Years [Paperback]

W. Barnes Tatum (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1998

Since the earliest days of the movies more than a century ago, moviemakers have been intrigued by "the greatest story ever told." They have tried, with varying degrees of success, to capture the life of Jesus on film.

In Jesus at the Movies Barnes Tatum has created a fascinating and exhaustively-researched viewer's guide to the movies about Jesus. Tatum guides the reader film-by-film from Sidney Olcott's silent classic "From the Manger to the Cross" through Denis Arcand's award-winning "Jesus of Montreal" to the future of Jesus movies. With his experience as author, biblical scholar, and teacher on religion and film, he presents this unique look at Jesus films in all dimensions: as cinematic art, as literature, as biblical history and as theology.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A fascinating analysis of all the Jesus movies that have been made since the beginning of cinematography. -- Paul Verhoeven, Director, Total Recall

An important, fascinating and insightful book on Jesus and film. -- Marcus J. Borg

Magnificent ... a complete analysis of the major films about Jesus. -- John Dominic Crossan

This is a reader-friendly text ... Those who lack formal theological education will find it relatively easy to follow Tatum's fluid and clear prose. At the same time, he poses questions designed to stretch and challenge even the most progressive Christian. Tatum is at his best when he hints that modern filmmakers are similar to the early Christians in their struggle to understand the biblical presentation of Jesus as both divine and human. The theological reflections provide a basis for a dialogue between Christianity and modern culture. A first-rate book! -- Christianity and the Arts

About the Author

W. Barnes Tatum is Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Greensboro College and author of In Quest of Jesus: A Guidebook and John the Baptist and Jesus.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Polebridge Press; Revised edition (March 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0944344674
• ISBN-13: 978-0944344675
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #85,578 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The film Jesus explored, October 24, 2000

By 

akoperagirl (Juneau, AK USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jesus at the Movies: A Guide to the First Hundred Years (Paperback)

A fascinating look at how Jesus has been portrayed in the movies. I have seen (and own) several of the movies reviewed. I didn't figure I needed another "Jesus flick". However, the discussion on several of these films has caused me to go looking for them. The changes in how (and who gets to) portray Jesus over the years is intriguing - and it is easy enough to read that I wasn't intimidated. I plan on using this book as a starting point in a Lenten discussion where we will watch several of these films.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A comparison of plot dynamics in different films, August 9, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jesus at the Movies: A Guide to the First Hundred Years (Paperback)

Jesus At The Movies: A Guide To The First Hundred Years by W. Barnes Tatum is a comprehensive guide to virtually all the major Hollywood films made about Jesus Christ to date. The films range from such silent era epics as Sidney Olcott's From The Manger To The Cross and D.W. Griffith's Intolerance, to Norman Jewison's Jesus Christ Superstar and David Greene's Godspell. From the seven last sayings attributed to Christ on the cross, to the story of Jesus from a Judaic as well as Christian perspective, to a comparison of plot dynamics in different films, Jesus At The Movies is a thoroughly researched, heavily annotated, broad-ranging and exhaustive guide, analysis, and review. Enhanced with a selected bibliography, filmography, and an index, Jesus At The Movies is a seminal, invaluable reference work for students of film history in general, and the movie representations of the story and person of Jesus Christ in particular.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Purchase for class., December 7, 2010

By 

Matthew Beem - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jesus at the Movies: A Guide to the First Hundred Years (Paperback)

What's there to say? I needed this book for a class. I found a cheap copy online and I bought it. There was no problem, and I recieved it within a week. The product was great, and I'll probably buy it again.