Product Details

• Actors: Pier Maria Rossi, Mita Ungaro, Carlos de Carvalho, Fausto Di Bella, Vernon Dobtcheff
• Directors: Roberto Rossellini
• Writers: Roberto Rossellini, Silvia D'Amico Bendico, Jean Gruault
• Producers: Silvia D'Amico Bendico
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Subtitles: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Vanguard Cinema
• VHS Release Date: November 16, 1999
• Run Time: 140 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: B00003ETMI
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #374,195 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Chicago Sun-Times, November 3, 1978, David Elliott

The simplicity and unaffected power of Roberto Rossellini’s The Messiah roll over you with the strength of a tide...

The San Diego Union-Tribune, February 4, 2000, David Elliott

...(Rossellini) achieves a moving directness that is unlike any other screen treatment of the life of Christ.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not a word for word adaptation, March 29, 2002

By 

Jeffrey Leeper "kem2070" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Messiah [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This story begins with the Israelites in the desert after their flight from Egypt. They are sitting around a fire telling Samuel that they want a king like the rest of the nations. So this sets the stage for the king of kings.

This version is in Italian with English subtitles. Although it helps in following the story, it does have a tendency to confuse the viewer. For instance, Jesus is in the Temple listening to the teachers of the Law while his parents are looking for him. When they find him, the teachers are still speaking as are Jesus and his parents. Because two conversations are going at once, it is difficult to see who is being translated. Also, you will need to read fast to keep up in some places.

Some parts of the Gospels are not included. For example, Jesus' temptation in the desert is not covered nor is the wedding party with water turned to wine.

As quick as the action moves in this film, it is still a fairly good adaptation of the Gospels.