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The Day Christ Died

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The Day Christ Died
GenreDrama
Written by
Directed byJames Cellan Jones
StarringChris Sarandon
Music byLaurence Rosenthal
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
ProducerMartin Manulis
Production locationTunisia
CinematographyFranco Di Giacomo
EditorBarry Peters
Running time142 minutes
Production company20th Century Fox Television
Budget$2.8 million[1]
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseMarch 26, 1980 (1980-03-26)

The Day Christ Died is a 1980 American television film directed by James Cellan Jones, and produced by 20th Century Fox and CBS-TV. A dramatization of the last 24 hours of Jesus Christ's life, it is based on Jim Bishop's 1957 book of the same name.[2] The book was co-adapted by James Lee Barrett, who, 15 years prior, had scripted The Greatest Story Ever Told for George Stevens.

Bishop disowned the adaptation and had his name removed from the credits. He called the film "cheap revisionist history", and even tried unsuccessfully to change the film's title.[3] The Day Christ Died was filmed in Tunisia, at a cost of US$2.8 million.[1] It was broadcast by CBS-TV on Wednesday, March 26, 1980.[4]

Plot

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In Jerusalem, a popular mob hero named Barabbas is arrested and convicted by Pontius Pilate. Jesus of Nazareth arrives for the celebration of the Passover Seder. The High Priest Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, who consider Jesus to be a menace and danger to their traditions, secretly bargain with Pilate to detain Jesus. A mob demands Barabbas' release. The Sanhedrin’s machinations provide Pilate an opportunity to avoid a riot. The Sanhedrin condemns Jesus and delivers him to Pilate for punishment. Pilate offers a choice to the populace: in honor of the holy day, he will stay the execution of one prisoner; will they choose Barabbas or Jesus?

Cast

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References

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  1. 1 2 "Revised Christ Draws Writer's Ire". Montreal Gazette. Mar 17, 1980. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
  2. ↑ Alex Keneas Newsday (Mar 26, 1980). "A Question of Intrigue". Boston Globe. Retrieved 24 June 2012.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)[dead link]
  3. ↑ Winfrey, Lee (Mar 24, 1980). "Film Treatment Annoys His Author". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
  4. ↑ "The Day Christ Died". The Evening News. March 23, 1980. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
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