The Day Christ Died

The Day Christ Died is a 1980 American television film directed by James Cellan Jones. The collaborative production by 20th Century Fox and CBS-TV dramatizes the last 24 hours of Jesus Christ's life and is based on Jim Bishop's 1957 book of the same name.[1] The book was co-adapted by James Lee Barrett...who, 15 years prior, had scripted The Greatest Story Ever Told for George Stevens.

The Day Christ Died
GenreDrama
Written byEdward Anhalt
James Lee Barrett
Directed byJames Cellan Jones
StarringChris Sarandon
Music byLaurence Rosenthal
Country of originUnited States
Original language(s)English
Production
Producer(s)Martin Manulis
Ted Butcher (associate producer)
Production location(s)Tunisia
CinematographyFranco Di Giacomo
Editor(s)Barry Peters
Running time142 min.
Production company(s)20th Century Fox Television
DistributorCBS
Release
Original networkCBS
Picture formatColor
Audio formatMono
Original releaseMarch 26, 1980

Bishop, who did not accept the adaptation, had his name removed from the credits. He called the film "cheap revisionist history", and even tried unsuccessfully to change the film's title.[2] The Day Christ Died was filmed in Tunisia, at a cost of US$2.8 million.[3] It was broadcast by CBS-TV on Wednesday, March 26, 1980.[4]

Plot

Around the same time that a popular mob hero named Barabbas is arrested and convicted by Pontius Pilate and his lieutenant governor/aide Tullius, Jesus of Nazareth arrives in Jerusalem in time for the celebration of the Passover/Seder. The High Priest Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, who oppose and find Jesus to be a menace and danger to their traditions, scarcely bargain with Pilate on how to detain Jesus. This ideas initially goes well with Pilate since he fears a riot from a mob clamoring for Barabbas release. When Jesus is finally condemned by the Sanhedrin and handed over to Pilate, he uses him as a decoy or alternative to please the Jerusalem populace by acquitting Barabbas and sentencing Jesus to be crucified in his place.

Cast
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References
  1. Alex Keneas Newsday (Mar 26, 1980). "A Question of Intrigue". Boston Globe. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
  2. Winfrey, Lee (Mar 24, 1980). "Film Treatment Annoys His Author". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
  3. "Revised Christ Draws Writer's Ire". Montreal Gazette. Mar 17, 1980. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
  4. "The Day Christ Died". The Evening News. March 23, 1980. Retrieved 24 June 2012.


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