and this is saying something, since there have been a lot of really bad Jesus casting since this, like Christian bale, and the guy from "a visual gospel of john:, but von sydow is the the most redculous unsympathetic Jesus I ever saw. not to mention hes not even a Believer.
Realism, Remakes and Unnecessary Sequels are ruining movies!
I actually thought he was pretty good given the cards with which he was dealt.
I think Von Sydow's looks suited the role, but I wish he'd had a little more improvised dialogue rather than just reciting or voicing over, lines from well known biblical passages. This would have more emphasized the human side of his nature.
His character just emerges with John the Baptist at the river and he's off on his 3 year mission from God.
There's no back story concerning the Nazarene carpenter preparing for his mission in life, which IMO is missed in a contextual sense.
I wouldn't say it wall all his fault, since he's a great actor, but it's true it wasn't a sympathetic, compassionate Jesus, though the whole movie is kind of cold and "artsy", not your usual religious movie. Guess the director is the one to blame?
What I found distracting was his looks: it reminded me so much of the mysterious character he played in "The Magician" (1958).
Animal crackers in my soup
Monkeys and rabbits loop the loop
I agree. Bad casting. But as for him not deserving the role because he's a non-believer? Well, Robert Powell is the greatest Jesus actor ever imo and he is a non-believer.
shareMy mother said he was the most beautiful man she had ever seen in this. That's a matter of taste of course, (I like him better blonde). As for von Sydow being a non believer, he is an actor, remember he played Father Merrin in the "Exorcist"?
shareI liked von Sydow in the role of Jesus; he was not breathtakingly handsome as some actors in the role have been; Jesus probably wasn't breathtakingly handsome either. Max von Sydow had what I think of as a 'good' face. At this period many movies about Christ emphasized His divinity over His humanity.
"..sure you won't change your mind? Why, is there something wrong with the one I have?"
Max Von Sydow is a fine actor. He may look a little old in the role, but I think he gave Jesus a friendly, loving, almost fatherly kind of vibe.
And I couldn't care less if he's an Atheist. I think so is Robert Powell from JESUS OF NAZARETH (1977).
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I think Jesus comes across as arogant, disruptive, and demanding in this. That may be the director's idea of Jesus. Jesus was charged with sedition, sorcery, blasphemy and open rebellion which was evident by his actions in this movie. I think he needed legal council.
His hair should be longer.
Von Sydow was amazing. Mesmerizing really.
share