| Jesus of Nazareth | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Biblical Historical drama |
| Based on | Gospels |
| Directed by | Joy Harington |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 240 minutes |
| Production company | BBC |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC TV |
| Release | 12 February 1956 |
Jesus of Nazareth is an epic television historical drama serial of 1956 which dramatizes the birth, life, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus.
Broadcast on Sunday afternoons, and aimed largely at children, it was directed by Joy Harington and stars Tom Fleming as Jesus. The open-air parts of the serial were filmed on location in the Holy Land. [1] [2]
This production is believed to be the first in which an actor played Jesus Christ on screen in the United Kingdom. [3] Before this, the Lord Chamberlain had not allowed him to be portrayed by an actor in public, but the censor was persuaded by the Central Religious Council to approve the BBC project and its choice of actor. Fleming, who was not a leading actor, was organist, lay preacher, and reader at the Canonmills Baptist church in Edinburgh. [4]
First broadcast in eight parts in February and March 1956, [5] the serial was shown again all through Holy Week of 1957. [2]