Jesus on Screen
Posted on March 4, 2009 at 7:38 am
Entertainment Weekly has a list of 12 memorable cinematic portrayals of Jesus. After centuries of telling the story of Jesus in paintings, sculpture, and theater, the 20th century provided an opportunity to show him on screen and this list includes some of the most inspiring and some of the most provocative. The actors include Christian Bale in the made-for TV Mary, Mother of Jesus
The Entertainment Weekly list does not include my favorites, the Italian The Gospel According to St. Matthew
, Meryl Streep as a sympathetic psychiatrist in 
and as a Holocaust survivor in 
and as a high-strung food writer in 
, Barbra Streisand as a sympathetic psychiatrist (is there a pattern here?) in 
and as musical comedy star Fanny Brice in 
(plus Omar Sharif as Nicky Arnstein), Carol Kane as a turn of the century immigrant in 
, Brendan Fraser as the only Jew in the fancy prep school in 
, Robin Williams as a club owner named Goldman — or is it Coleman? — in 
, George Segal as a Jewish cop (and Eileen Heckert as his mother) in 
, Ben Kingsley as a Holocaust survivor in 
, Ben Cross as an Olympic athlete in 
, Jessica Tandy as a Southern aristocrat in 
, Dustin Hoffman as Carl Bernstein in 
, Jennifer Gray as Baby who will NOT be put in a corner in 
, and Woody Allen in just about anything. 
This underrated historical drama about the trial of a rebellious slave is a brilliant exploration of America’s most fundamental principles and its most tragic compromises. 
One of the wittiest romantic comedies ever made, with a sizzling performance from Barbara Stanwyck. 
One of the glossiest romantic thrillers ever made with Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, and a swooningly romantic score by Henry Mancini. 
Sidney Poitier and Tony Curtis are escaped prisoners manacled together in an early Civil Rights-era drama. 
A refreshingly unpretentious animated film about a spoiled prince.
A young girl goes to live with a father she barely knows and finds herself responsible for teaching a flock of geese to flow south for the winter in this beautiful film inspired by a true story. 
A sweet Scottish high school romance filled with adorably quirky characters and some quiet insights. 
Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn star in this bittersweet romance about a wealthy girl who falls for her sister’s fiancee. 
William Powell and Myrna Loy star in this hilarious comedy about a con man from the city who awakes from amnesia to find himself married to a beautiful small-town woman. 
Bette Davis plays the fiery Civil War-era Southern belle shocks her community by wearing a red dress to a ball where unmarried ladies always wear white. 
Brush up your Shakespeare with this musical version of “Kiss Me Kate” with dances by Bob Fosse and music by Cole Porter. In a word: Wunderbar
This medieval romance has a heroic couple under a terrible enchantment. Michelle Pfeiffer is Lady Isabeau, who becomes a hawk by night. Rutger Hauer is the handsome captain who becomes a wolf by day. 
Rock Hudson is the reckless playboy carelessly causes the death of a beloved doctor abd discovers that the meaning of life is what one gives to others.
Greta Garbo laughs in this lovely romantic comedy about a stern Soviet who meets a dashing Parisian. 
Gene Kelly plays an actor who masquerades as a dreaded pirate to woo Judy Garland. It’s sly humor was lost on many audiences when it was first released but it is a treasure. 
Technicolor was invented for the green of the Irish hills and the red of Maureen O’Hara’s hair in this tempestuous love story starring John Wayne, with one of the greatest fight scenes in movie history.
A Japanese man estranged from his dying son makes one last gesture to show how much he cares when he goes to China to complete his son’s promise to film an opera and fathers and sons connections resonate through the quietly powerful story.
In this witty meta-movie, Will Ferrell is terrific in a quiet role of an IRS investigator who may be a character in a novel. Co-stars Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman are magnificent and there is a sweet love story to boot.
This neglected gem with stunning visuals and a sweet story was 
Sandy Dennis plays an idealistic teacher in this film based on the autobiographical novel. 
One of this year’s loveliest films (with four of this year’s most beautiful performances) is the story of a lonely professor who tries to help some illegal immigrants. It raises many questions, not the least of which is which character is referred to by the title. 
There is no more evocative version of middle school friendships and other passions than this 1960’s story of two girls in New York. It has wonderful supporting work from Peter Sellers, Angela Lansbury, Phyllis Kirk, and Tom Bosley, but the stars are the girls, the city, and the sparkling score.
The Beatles rescue the gentle citizens of Pepperland from the Blue Meanies and remind everyone that “All You Need is Love.”
Costa-Gavras political thriller would be gripping as fiction but it is all true.