The Living Christ

1951
The Living Christ

Seasons & Episodes

  • 1

EP1 Holy Night Jan 07, 1951

Prophecies of Isaiah concerning the Messiah come to pass centuries after their foretelling with the annunciation and subsequent birth of Jesus Christ.

EP2 Escape to Egypt Jan 14, 1951

Joseph and Mary remain in Bethlehem following Jesus' birth. Baby Jesus takes rites of presentation in Temple, as Simeon recognizes the child as the Christ. The Wise Men arrive, and King Herod attempts to outwit them. Joseph, warned in a dream of the King's murderous plans for the child, takes Mary and Jesus and escapes to Egypt.

EP3 Boyhood & Baptism Jan 21, 1951

Joseph, Mary and Jesus return from Egypt, and the boy Jesus begins school training and Temple. Newly appointed governor Pontius Pilate faces pushback from Herod and the priest Caiaphas. John the Baptist arrives and his menace to the Herodian throne explained. Jesus is baptized.

EP4 Men of the Wilderness Jan 28, 1951

Jesus seeks solitude in the wilderness for forty days, climaxed by three temptations. Returning to Jordan, He learns of John's imprisonment by Herod, who attempts to break the Baptist's spirit. Conflict arises between Herod and Herodias over disposal of John. Now the great ministry of Jesus begins. He calls His first disciple, the humble fisherman. Jesus heals of a mad man at Capernaum, and cures the sick and lame in the courtyard of Peter's home.

EP5 Challenge of Faith Feb 04, 1951

Christ begins a preaching ministry with His first disciples, Peter, Andrew, James and John. John the Baptist is secretly visited in prison by friends. On the shore of Galilee, Jesus renews friendship with the disciples' old fishing companions, and Jesus calls Matthew to discipleship. Jesus heals a paralytic.

EP6 Discipleship Feb 11, 1951

As Jesus' popularity rages, multitudes follow Him. After a night in prayer, He chooses twelve from a group of disciples whom He names Apostles. Jesus gives the Sermon on the Mount, instructs on prayer and offers the Lord's Prayer before healing a leper.

EP7 Return to Nazareth Feb 18, 1951

Jesus heals a centurion's servant and attends the wedding at Cana, where He changes water into wine. At Nazareth, He rejects. Nicodemus visits at midnight. Jesus explains spiritual birth, forgives the sins of a woman at Samaria and her witness, and His parable of the Good Samaritan.

EP8 Conflict Feb 25, 1951

As increasing political intrigue in Jerusalem builds to Christ's crucifixion, loyalty to Jesus of the man born blind, and Jesus' reassurances. Despite gathering clouds, Jesus' concern is still for others like Mary and Martha of Bethany, to whom He emphasizes importance of spiritual concerns over the material. Returning to Galilee, Jesus sends the Apostles on their first missionary trip.

EP9 Fate of John the Baptist Mar 04, 1951

From prison, John the Baptist sends messengers to ask Jesus, 'Are you He who was to come, or shall we look for another?' Jesus sends John affirmation, bidding messengers to tell the Baptist all they have seen and heard. After they depart, Jesus confirms that He is the Messiah and that John the Baptist was His forerunner as prophesied. Herod has a banquet, Salome dances, and John the Baptist is executed. Jesus, told of the Baptist's death, informs His disciples.

EP10 Retreat & Decision Mar 11, 1951

Jesus withdraws with the twelve to lands beyond Herod's jurisdiction. The disciples know it is a critical period in the Master's life, He reveals now that they are the Church, predicts His death and resurrection. Peter, James and John witness the transfiguration. Jesus heals the epileptic boy, blesses little children, and raises Lazarus from the dead. Jesus' triumphal entry to Jerusalem is halted at Temple gates when He spots money changers in the courtyard.

EP11 Triumph & Defeat Mar 18, 1951

Jesus returns to the Temple, overthrows the moneychangers' tables, and in holy wrath denounces their perversion of religion. His reputation increases and men say He is the Messiah. In an upper room, Jesus eats His last supper with the Apostles, prays at the Garden of Gethsemane, as Judas approaches with the Temple guards and betrays Jesus with a kiss. Jesus is put to trial before Pilate and Herod where He is beaten and mocked by the crowds, Pilate washes his hands of the affair and delivers Jesus to the will of Sanhedrin.

EP12 Crucifixion & Resurrection Mar 25, 1951

Jesus pulls His cross to Calvary, where He is crucified. Judas rejects Caiaphas' silver coins, and hangs himself with his sash. Jesus' tomb is sealed, then uncovered empty. Christ reappears to His disciples in the upper room, and doubting Thomas brings Jesus' words 'Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believe,' to one and all.
6.3| 0h30m| NR| en| More Info
Released: 07 January 1951 Ended
Producted By: Cathedral Films
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website:
Synopsis

The first ever made for TV miniseries documents the story of Jesus Christ from birth to resurrection.

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Cathedral Films

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Reviews

marsmitchell79 Two main problems with this movie out the ones that I've watched so far: 1. The American Caucasian race of the actors; this is a failing of almost every American biblical film of the day and it even happens today more times than not. The problem with that is that potential Christian converts believe a lie and make assertions that the religion is racist! Muslims say that the Christian Jesus is an American Caucasian and most of them are not. Many of them use this lie to mock/blaspheme Jesus and Christianity! Therefore, a Muslim is easily manipulated by using this lie. Jim Jones was able to draw some, because Jesus was always depicted as an American white man and the American white men was racist. His pitch--in turn--was to be multiracial. Even then, no one besides an Uncle Tom or a zealot in favor of another race wants to join a religion where no one looks like them. The bible truth makes Jesus a traditional Jew--which is one of the few races that look close to 50% white and 50% black. Honestly, I don't think this is a coincidence. So, why spread a lie that disperses and keeps people from studying the bible rather than a truth that leaves people without an applicable excuse? Unless you are a racist, what could your excuse be for not following a doctrine deemed by you as true if the human form of the Lord is 50% black and 50% white. 2. It omits key details-- such as parts of the Lord's prayer and Jesus' baptism--seemingly for no reason! It would only have taken an extra 1-2 minutes in both cases to get it right. Other than that, great!
ellenirishellen-62962 The series had top actors,not all were great,but George Macready was in a compilation called I Beheld His Glory.George could sometimes be over-the-top,but not in Beheld or the 2 episodes he appeared in in which he was not the star.Lowell Gilmore quite good,he and Macready worked together in 3 costume dramas,2 Sherwood/Robin Hood films,and The Black Arrow.The actors seemed to respect the religious themes of the productions,and the costumes were okay,acting the best as could be expected of low budget of the Church.It really helps when trying to learn a little more about the Life Of Christ that things were taken seriously and not going for sensationalism,like today.
nellybly I was given the two disc set for Christmas and as a Baptist had several doctrinal issues with the first part of the first disc (dealing with Christ's birth and youth). It's got a strong Catholic extra-Bible bent. Some of the omissions bothered me too.But the events of His adulthood, since they stayed close the spoken words (in modern English, no problem, I'm not a "if the KJV was good enough Paul, it's good enough for me.") of Christ Himself, were a real blessing and helped make the Bible real.The actors were really quite good for a low-budget project. There's a tendency (even in a large budget, or especially) to go over the top with the acting. Most of them were natural and believable. The man who played Christ was really good and didn't go around with his eyes and arms raised to Heaven constantly. I was actually able to lose myself in the story.Though he's not given credit, nor even mentioned, Lawrence Dobkin was John the Baptist and was excellent.Even the actors in the smallest roles were, for the most part, very professional. I didn't feel like I was watching "amateur night".If you're Catholic or don't mind, the entire series should be all right. Any other denomination, you might, like me, prefer the episodes that take place when Christ was an adult.Quality of the film itself is a whole 'nother story. It has not been restored in any way and the color has gone somewhat sepia. There's lots of scratches and the soundtrack sometimes has sounds and words that are distorted or lost. The films were undoubtedly played a lot and got pretty wore out. Another poster mentioned them being shown at churches and on TV (I don't recall watching it but I may have as a child). Well, at least they have all the episodes.
setistars-1 Most people do not realize is this is a 12 -30 min episode of jesus.It was shown at local churches through out the country.I remember it at my church,it was shown on sunday evening.This was never meant to play at theaters,just at churches and sometimes television.Even though it was filmed on a low budget,it does carry the message of jesus well.