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Beyond question the best movie ever made on Jesus I watched this film again after an hiatus of some twenty years. Its power has not diminished over time. What makes this a masterpiece is the fact it tells the story of Jesus in a way that is true to the Gospels. A masterful cast also makes it compulsive viewing. Robert Powell is a convincing, immediate Jesus. His face has a power, compassion and presence that draws one, and his voice is clear and manly. Anne Bancroft is a vulnerable Mary Magdalene (her performance sends chills down the spine). James Farentino as Simon Peter defines rugged compassion. Finally, mention must be made of Rod Steiger whose performance as Pilate shows just what a great actor he is. The film is filled with humanity and a strong story line; it is not simply a restatement of the Gospel narratives. The horror of crucifixion is captured through understatement and the resurrection is relayed with great power through its witnesses. The final resurrection scene is one of the most beautiful scenes in any movie ever. There is no fanfare about it, just Jesus sitting with the disciples who look at him with fear and love. This film remains the standard by which all other Jesus films need to be judged. Sadly, other Jesus films fail to match it in any department. The quality of the DVD reissue is disappointing, especially as concerns the sound.