I have seen almost every film concerning Jesus and His ministry to date. And I must say that this is by far the most moving depiction of Jesus I've ever seen. Jesus wasn't some stone faced, emotionless, robot...he was a man. He felt sorrow, he grew tired, he laughed, and he cried. He had every emotion that we have had. And if you've read the Gospels you already know this. The fact that this is a word for word account of the Gospel According to Matthew (NIV) makes it even better.It is not some overblown Hollywood rendition...so if you're looking for great special effects then you'll be disappointed. I recently re-watched Jesus of Nazareth, and it made me appreciate this movie even more. And I have no idea how that movie can be so highly rated give just how inaccurate it truly is.And to me this is a great Bible study tool for anyone who is just starting to read the Gospels...it's the Gospel of Matthew come to life in the form of a movie. So, you can read along in your Bible as you watch.This movie is a blessing just waiting for anyone wanting to grow closer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I completely agreed with the last comment that this was the worst movie depiction of Jesus ever. Unlike others, I did not appreciate Jesus smiling throughout the movie,,and was unable to take him seriously. I don't consider myself an expert in acting, but the actor playing Jesus was one of the worst. Its amazing to me too how many commented how closely it followed the Gospel of Matthew,,,,,yet it left out quite a bit and actually mixed up, for one reason or another the sequence of events. I have just seen the Gospel of John,,,,,,and would highly recommend it as following the whole Gospel account and being much better acted. Also the older Jesus film released by Campus Crusade in 1979 and based on Luke was much better too.

As with most of those here commenting on this, I am blown away with the power and grace Bruce Marchiano brings to this masterpiece. The depth of power of his heart and eyes is so overwhelming as to be almost too great to bear; I think my heart will burst under the load save that He carries me with my light yoke (6:34 & 11:30). That it is utterly unknown but to Christians is of course the same story as with Jesus Himself, He Whom the pagans would co-opt to their own agendas and uses, a tactic that only backfires in the end as they prove from their folly that they know nothing of Him.One point I must make against those who use the profound depth of this as a platform from which to condemn Mel Gibson's equally (though differently) anointed masterpiece, The Passion of the Christ, with priceless Jim Caviezel (though I'll always regret dear Mel didn't play the title role himself which would have been beyond awesome): they're quite wrongheaded on the score, for the testimony of Bruce and his company and Jim and his company are one in describing the divine (and therefore the counterattacking demonic) manifestations so present in the making of these jewels in our Lord's crown. What great grace the Lord has brought us in these precious brothers so to condescend to grace our lives with such inspiration according to His Perfect Word.

This movie is amazing. Absolutely amazing. It's easy to tell that the actors and the people that worked on this movie really have a heart for the message. I'll start with the drawbacks.... It's rather obvious that there was not a "Passion of the Christ"-amount of money put into the movie. Maybe more people in some scenes would make them more powerful. But most of these drawbacks are only cosmetic. It's a great idea to only use the Bible-text. They used the NIV (New International Translation) for this movie, and I believe it must have been a true challenge to make the words come alive so much. But they REALLY do it. I love the way Jesus is showed here. The way he laugh with people, and the way he cries when he speaks of the ones who will not hear the call. It is a Jesus that is close to the people. See it!