I don't know what frame of mind I was in three years ago to have panned this film.
Incredible.
Anyhow, here is the life of Jesus beautifully told in a simple, cine verité, and very poetic way. The first scene, the quietness and the beauty of the face of Mary as Joseph first comes to her, incredulous that she is pregnant, profoundly begins what is as great a film as ever I've seen.
How the man that made "Salo" and "Querelle" could make this, the most sacred and moving of religious films... truly amazing.
The faces of the characters--- since this is an almost silent film except for a long sequence towards the end when Jesus repeats many of his most famous aphorisms--- are the true story, framed with the eye of a Renaissance painter, and placed in well-imagined settings. For those familiar with the New Testament, you will now have unforgettable visual memories of what previously had been imaginings.
I don't know why this film doesn't appear on ALL ten or twenty-five best films of all time lists. This is art, without artifice.
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Topic - Just saw P. P. Pasolini's "Gospel according to St. Matthew," and - tinear 07:25:16 01/11/07 (16)
- Re: Just saw P. P. Pasolini's "Gospel according to St. Matthew," and - patrickU 04:23:16 01/12/07 (13)
- But Patrick... the "actor" is Jewish (really)! nt - tinear 04:33:19 01/12/07 (12)
- Re: Would you say " This actor** is " Catholic " ? - patrickU 04:48:17 01/12/07 (11)
- Re: Would you say " This actor** is " Catholic " ? - tinear 08:53:13 01/12/07 (10)
- Re: Would you say " This actor** is " Catholic " ? - patrickU 09:22:51 01/12/07 (9)
- I don't want to nor can read your mind ;-). nt - tinear 16:54:58 01/12/07 (0)
- Re: Would you say " This actor** is " Catholic " ? - rico 09:57:36 01/12/07 (7)
- You would have responded that the actor was Jewish? - sjb 14:07:41 01/12/07 (5)
- Re: You would have responded that the actor was Jewish? - rico 07:59:09 01/13/07 (0)
- Why "weird?" Patrick implied Jesus didn't look Jewish by saying he - tinear 16:54:09 01/12/07 (3)
- Re: Wait!!! - patrickU 04:58:21 01/13/07 (0)
- Seems like I've had a habit lately - sjb 18:26:41 01/12/07 (1)
- Okay, you're up to two beers should ever we meet. Keep going, I have - tinear 04:19:18 01/13/07 (0)
- Re: Would you say " This actor** is " Catholic " ? - patrickU 11:04:12 01/12/07 (0)
- "Querelle" is Fassbinder´s, tin...: Other than that, you´re dead right (nt) - orejones 10:02:08 01/11/07 (1)
- Oops. They should have dated. Thanks for correction! nt - tinear 11:04:24 01/11/07 (0)