The Gospel According to St. Matthew

1965

2h 17m

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

379

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2 Videos

53 Images

Drama

Along a rocky, barren coastline, Jesus begins teaching, primarily using parables. He attracts disciples; he's stern, brusque, and demanding. His parables often take on the powers that be, so he and his teachings come to the attention of the Pharisees, the chief priests, and elders. They conspire to have him arrested, beaten, tried, and crucified, just as he prophesied to his followers.

Directors

Pier Paolo Pasolini

Writers

Pier Paolo Pasolini(writer by)

Stars

Enrique Irazoqui

Margherita Caruso

Susanna Pasolini

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Videos2

Trailer
Watch Il vangelo secondo Matteo (1964) Original Trailer [FHD]
Trailer
Watch The Gospel According to Matthew (1964) - trailer

Photos53

Top cast

Cristo

Maria (Giovane)

Maria (Vecchia)

Giuseppe

Giovanni Battista

Pietro

Andrea

Giacomo

Giovanni

Filippo

Bartolomeo

Bartolomeo

Tommaso

Matteo

Giacomo Figlio di Alfeo

Elio Spaziani

Taddeo

Enzo Siciliano

Simone

Otello Sestili

Giuda

Directors

Pier Paolo Pasolini

Writers

Pier Paolo Pasolini(writer by)

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Review

Featured review

7/10

This is a breathtaking piece of cinema. I haven't read the text for over forty years, so I cannot swear to the accuracy with which Pasolini reflects the actual gospel, but what is immediately striking is just how aggressive his version of "Cristo" is. Enrique Irazoqui is undoubtedly a beautiful man to look at, but unlike in so many more commercial iterations of this story, his character is portrayed as a strong, demanding and forceful personality. His sermons are powerful instructions to, even condemnations of, the populace. Certainly there is love, but it is a tough love which only evolves as the story does. This characterisation is also surprisingly political. I wouldn't say he is simply to the left or to the right, as we might consider politics nowadays, but he definitely has strong views on corruption, of the venality of society and of the need to care for and to be cared for by each other. The delivery of this potent message hits the mark well. The dialogue is actually quite sparing, much of the audio comes from a mixture of classical music (Bach and Mozart feature prominently) along with themes than sound more African in origin. The photography is intense, no other word for it. The grand scale cinematography well complimented by the close, intimate imagery of the faces of the cast as the story unfolds in an unashamedly emotional (but not sentimental) fashion. I saw this recently again on a big screen and that only enhanced the vividness and vigour of the whole enterprise.

Geronimo196704 Apr, 2022