Jesus (1973 film)
Jesus is a 1973 Indian Malayalam-language film (also dubbed into Tamil and Telugu) directed by P. A. Thomas and starring Murali Das, Gemini Ganesan, Jayabharathi, Jayalalitha, Thikkurissy, M. N. Nambiar, K. P. Ummar, Jose Prakash, Bahadoor and V. K. Ramasamy.[1][2][3]
| Jesus | |
|---|---|
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| Directed by | P. A. Thomas |
| Produced by | Thomas |
| Written by | Thomas Pictures Unit |
| Screenplay by | P. A. Thomas |
| Starring | Muralidas Thikkurissy Gemini Ganesan M. N. Nambiar K. P. Ummar Jose Prakash Bahadoor V. K. Ramaswamy Jayabharathi Jayalalitha |
| Music by | M. S. Viswanathan |
Production company | Universal Pictures |
| Distributed by | Thirumeni Pictures |
Release date |
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| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Budget | ₹1 million (US$14,000) |
| Box office | ₹11.6 million (US$160,000) |
Plot
King Herod has ruled Judea for over 37 years and believes himself to be supreme. When three wise men from the Far East come to visit him, he is initially pleased, but this pleasure turns to anger when he finds out that they have traveled all the way to witness the birth of the son of God. After they depart, he instructs his Prime Minister to kill all children under the age of 2 years. Herod's instructions are carried out, but they don't find the baby Jesus, born in a stable in Bethlehem. Jesus, son of Joseph and virgin Mary, has been destined to lead mankind to a better path but must face many challenges, temptations and betrayal from ones he trusted the most, humiliation, torture, crucifixion, and resurrection.
Cast
- Muralidas as Jesus
- Gemini Ganesan as John The Baptist
- Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair as King Herod
- K. P. Ummer as Herod Antipas
- Raji as Mary
- Ushakumari as Mary Magdalene
- Jayabharathi as Saint Veronica
- Jayalalithaa as Salome
- Jose Prakash as Annas
- Prameela as Martha
- M. N. Nambiar as Judas
- Major Sundarrajan as Pontius Pilate
- O. A. K. Thevar as Satan
- G. K. Pillai as Caiaphas
- V. K. Ramasamy as Saint Peter
- Vincent as John the Apostle
- Innocent as a courtier in King Herod's court
- Khadeeja
Soundtrack
The music was composed by K. J. Yesudas, M. S. Viswanathan, Alleppey Ranganath and Joseph Krishna and the lyrics were written by Sreekumaran Thampi, P. Bhaskaran, Bharanikkavu Sivakumar, Augustine Vanchimala and Vayalar Ramavarma.
| No. | Song | Music Director | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Athyunnathangalil Vaazhtheppedum" (Raajaavin Raajaavezhunnellunnu) | Joseph Krishna | P. Jayachandran, B. Vasantha, Chorus | Sreekumaran Thampi | |
| 2 | "Ente Munthirichaarino" | M. S. Viswanathan | L. R. Eeswari | P. Bhaskaran | |
| 3 | "Gaagulthaa Malakale" | Alleppey Ranganath | K. J. Yesudas | Bharanikkavu Sivakumar | |
| 4 | "Hosana" | K. J. Yesudas | P. Jayachandran, P. Leela, K. P. Brahmanandan, Chorus | Augustine Vanchimala | |
| 5 | "Loreya" (Bit) | K. J. Yesudas | Chorus | ||
| 6 | "Yahoodiya" | Joseph Krishna | P. Susheela | Vayalar Ramavarma |
References
- Freek L. Bakker, The Challenge of the Silver Screen: An Analysis of the Cinematic Portraits of Jesus, Rama, Buddha and Muhammad, Studies in Religion and the Arts, v. 1 (Leiden; Boston, MA: Brill, 2009), 13–77.
- Peter Malone Screen Jesus: Portrayals of Christ in Television and Film 2012 "Reports of numerous locally made films of Jesus' life circulate particularly in South India, but other than Karunamayudu, only the following are well documented: Jesus (directed by P. A. Thomas, 1973); Shanti Sandesham (Telugu for Gospel of Peace).. Mulla Kireetam"
- Old is Gold - Jesus 1973. The Hindu.