The Cinematic Savior: Jesus Films and Related Literature

Abstract

I n 1897, a mere two years after the advent of the motion picture, the life of Jesus was first chronicled on the silver screen. No longer extant, La Passion was a brief passion play, consisting of twelve scenes and lasting only five minutes. In 1903, French directors Ferdinand Zecca and Lucien Nonguet produced Vie et Passion du Christ, the first feature-length film about Jesus. Since then, over a hundred additional films depicting the life and ministry of Jesus have been made, each providing unique interpretations and perspectives on Jesus and the Gospels. Jesus films have come to be understood as much more than simple adaptations of the gospel story, but as bearers of meaning and theology in their own right. These films also capture the social and cultural concerns of their time, so that the various incarnations of the celluloid Christ stand as artifacts of our pluralistic and diverse society. As a pedagogical tool, Jesus-film clips are increasingly used in religion courses to illustrate either specific gospel incidents or the various possible interpretations of the New Testament in film. Furthermore, Jesus films have now become a full-fledged subject of scholarly inquiry, with classes centered entirely on Jesus films becoming regular course offerings at many colleges and universities. Entire sessions on “Jesus in Film” are often held at the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature, and a burgeoning number of scholars in both biblical studies and film are responding to the significant role that the cinematic savior has played in our cultural and religious history.