El beso de Judas (1954) Poster

User Reviews

Review this title
3 Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by Rating:
7/10
Epic and spectacular Spanish version about Christ , focusing the traitor apostle Judas Iscariote
ma-cortes11 September 2017
An evocative version of Jesus Christ's life with a true Spanish all-star-epic treatment and being spectacularly shot in Spain and Israel . This highly regarded epic deals with a dramatic recreation of the life of Christ from ¨Judas's¨ (Rafael Rivelles) point of sight . Dealing with Apostles (Pedro : Manuel Monroy , Santiago: Arturo Fernández), miracles , judgement , Sanedrín with major priest Fariseo Caifas and Misael (Félix Dafauce) , and , finally , Crucifixion . Interesting retelling at the life and teachings of Christ (José Nieto) under a historical and religious view point . The film includes all of the major events referred to in the New Testament with descriptive Biblical passages ; John the Baptist's appearance ; the miracles as Lazaro's Resurrection , cripples walking , blind people seeing ; Canaan weddings with transformation water into wine ; the Roman officer Quinto Licinio (Francisco Rabal) , his relationship to 12 apostles , his entry in city of Jerusalem , Veronica's shroud , Christ passion , Golgotha , the thieves : Dimas and Gestas , and so on . Jesus Christ's journey from Galilee to Golgotha is portrayed here in thought-provoking as well as enjoyable treatment . John the Baptist and Pontius Pilate (Gerard Tichy who played Joseph, husband of Mary, six years later in the Hollywood/Spanish epic "King of Kings") are also regarded . However , not completely reverential at some Biblical characters such as Judas Iscariote portraying the man less a traitor than as an unsettling as well as regretful person .

This is an impressive story of the life of Judas and his relationship with Jesus Christ to his Crucifixion and subsequent Resurrection . Filmed on a relatively grand scale , though unfortunately in black and white , being efficiently produced by Aspa Productions adding big name cast , and fine support actors . Life of Christ is intelligently told by prestigious screenwriter Vicente Escrivá , including glowing cinematography in black and white by Alfredo Fraile , an attractive visual style , memorable soundtrack by the classical Cristóbal Halffter and excellent cast giving larger-than-life interpretation . Rafael Rivelles provides a very good acting as a furtive as well as shifty Judas , Rivelles in exactly the right role , similarly to ¨El Quijote¨, he delivers a dedicated effort at the character , his acting has power , nobility and subtlety . Being a big Spanish production shot in Spain and Palestina there appears several Spanish actors in brief performances such as Fernando Sancho , José Nieto , Manuel Monroy , German Cobos , José Manuel Martin , Milagros Leal , Santiago Rivero , Félix Dafauce , among others . Breathtaking and majestic production design by Enrique Alarcón , filmed on location in Manzanares , Navacerrada , Madrid , and Cea , Chamartin studios , and on location in Israel . The motion picture was compellingly directed by Rafael Gil and it had some wins and 1 nominations , as Venice Film Festival 1954 , Nominated Golden Lion Rafael Gil .

Other films about ¨Jesús¨ dealing with his divine presence are the followings : ¨King of Kings¨ (1961) by Nicolas Ray with Jeffrey Hunter , Robert Ryan , Harry Guardino , Conrado San Martin , and production designer Enrique Alarcón himself , it is the yardstick by which all Jesus movies are to be measure . Other pictures : ¨King of Kings¨ (released in 1927) , first silent version by Cecil B. DeMille with H.B. Wagner ; ¨The greatest story ever told¨ (1965) by George Stevens with Max Von Sidow , Charlton Heston , Jose Ferrer , Sidney Poitier , Claude Rains ; ¨Gospel according to Matthew¨ by Pier Paolo Pasolini with Enrique Irazoqui as Jesus ; ¨Jesus Christ Superstar¨(1977) by Norman Jewison with Ted Neeley and Carl Anderson ; ¨Jesus de Nazareth¨(1977) by Franco Zeffirelli with Robert Powell , Olivia Hussey , James Mason , Laurence Olivier , Anne Brancfort , Fernando Rey ; ¨Last temptation of Christ¨ by Martin Scorsese with Willem Dafoe , David Bowie , Harvey Keitel , Ian Holm , Harry Dean Staton ; and ¨The Passion of the Christ¨ (2004) by Mel Gibson with James Cazievel , Maia Morgenstern and Monica Belucci .
5 out of 5 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
7/10
A rarest picture over Judas!!!
elo-equipamentos24 September 2018
Who intent to see this biblical movie keep's clear isn't about Jesus, it's about Judas, a man who has few info over this controversial apostle under allowed by several gospels, even today with a large of news range of technics to share us to authenticate those olds manuscripts which are around thirty, how l've been studying all them by many sources including aprocryphal gospels which were threw away by Bishop Irenaeus of Lyon france, whose choose four gospel only to be "The New testament" but this spanish overproduction in fact was plentiful well done, there are some news things rarely told by others movies or docs about this infamous character who deserves a new look over such ambiguous apostle as Judas Iscariot who remains under the shadows of doubt and he was cursed forever and it's a long time even to a traitor!!!

Resume:

First watch: 2018 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD-R / Rating: 7.5
2 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
breathtaking
Kirpianuscus20 June 2020
A film about Judas is always provocative. Because the viewer has the expectation to know everything about him, the role of film being to confirm that. But this film is different. Yes, all the episodes of The Savior life are present. Yes, Judas remains the bad guy. But the impressive cast, the inspired cinematography, the landscapes, the dialogue, the powerful black - white are pieces of a so modern version than it is just a breathtaking version of The Christ way in this world. And that is one of the motives to consider ita special film.
3 out of 3 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

See also

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews


Recently Viewed