The Day Christ Died is a 1980 American television film directed by James Cellan Jones, and produced by 20th Century Fox and CBS-TV. A dramatization of the last 24 hours of Jesus Christ's life, it is based on Jim Bishop's 1957 book of the same name. The book was co-adapted by James Lee Barrett, who, 15 years prior, had scripted The Greatest Story Ever Told for George Stevens.
Bishop disowned the adaptation and had his name removed from the credits. He called the film "cheap revisionist history", and even tried unsuccessfully to change the film's title. The Day Christ Died was filmed in Tunisia, at a cost of US$2.8 million. It was broadcast by CBS-TV on Wednesday, March 26, 1980.
Contents
Plot
In Jerusalem, a popular mob hero named Barabbas is arrested and convicted by Pontius Pilate. Jesus of Nazareth arrives for the celebration of the Passover Seder. The High Priest Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, who consider Jesus to be a menace and danger to their traditions, secretly bargain with Pilate to detain Jesus. A mob demands Barabbas' release. The Sanhedrin’s machinations provide Pilate an opportunity to avoid a riot. The Sanhedrin condemns Jesus and delivers him to Pilate for punishment. Pilate offers a choice to the populace: in honor of the holy day, he will stay the execution of one prisoner; will they choose Barabbas or Jesus?
Cast
Chris Sarandon as Jesus Christ
Colin Blakely as Caiaphas
Keith Michell as Pontius Pilatus
Jonathan Pryce as Herod Antipas
Barrie Houghton as Judas
Tim Pigott-Smith as Tullius
Jay O. Sanders as Simon Peter
Eleanor Bron as Mary
Delia Boccardo as Mary Magdelene
Hope Lange as Claudia Procula
Oliver Cotton as John
Rod Dana as Abenadar
Gordon Gostelow as Nicodemus
Nando Paone as Thaddeus
Samuele Cerri as Nathaniel