6 films about Jesus you should see this Easter weekend

It’s definitely going to be a long weekend.

This is the weekend Christians commemorate the arrest, death, resurrection and ascension of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
While you rest from the hustle and bustle of the week, we give you SIX Jesus-themed films that you should try and see before work resumes on Tuesday next week.
Some of the films are new – as new as 2016 – while some others are oldies.
Put up your feet and have some fun.


‘Passion of the Christ’
In this version of Christ’s crucifixion, based on the New Testament, Judas expedites the downfall of Jesus (Jim Caviezel) by handing him over to the Roman Empire’s handpicked officials.
To the horror of his mother, Mary (Maia Morgenstern), Magdalene (Monica Bellucci), whom he saved from damnation, and his disciples, Jesus is condemned to death.
He is tortured as he drags a crucifix to nearby Calvary, where he is nailed to the cross. He dies, but not before a last act of grace.
Initial release: February 25, 2004
Director: Mel Gibson
Producers: Mel Gibson, Stephen McEveety, Bruce Davey

‘Jesus of Nazareth’
Director Franco Zeffirelli’s 1977 film about the life of Christ begins with the wedding of Mary and Joseph and continues through the Crucifixion and Resurrection.
First episode date: March 27, 1977
Director: Franco Zeffirelli

Risen
Roman military tribune Clavius (Joseph Fiennes) remains set in his ways after serving 25 years in the army.
He arrives at a crossroad when he’s tasked to investigate the mystery of what happened to Jesus (Cliff Curtis) following the Crucifixion.
Accompanied by trusted aide Lucius (Tom Felton), his quest to disprove rumours of a risen Messiah makes him question his own beliefs and spirituality.
As his journey takes him to places never dreamed of, Clavius discovers the truth that he’s been seeking.
Initial release: February 19, 2016
Director: Kevin Reynolds
Producers: Paul Aiello, Patrick Aiello, Pete Shilaimon, Mickey Liddell


‘Ben Hur
Charlton Heston plays a Palestinian Jew who is battling the Roman empire at the time of Christ.
His actions send him and his family into slavery, but an inspirational encounter with Jesus changes everything.
Heston finally meets his rival in a justly famous chariot race and rescues his suffering family.
Initial release: November 18, 1959
Director: William Wyler

‘The Last Temptation of Christ’
Jesus (Willem Dafoe), a humble Judean carpenter beginning to see that he is the son of God, is drawn into revolutionary action against the Roman occupiers by Judas (Harvey Keitel) – despite his protestations that love, not violence, is the path to salvation.
The burden of being the saviour of mankind torments Jesus throughout his life, leading him to doubt.
As he is put to death on the cross, Jesus is tempted by visions of an ordinary life married to Mary Magdalene (Barbara Hershey).