Jesus and Mary in modern movies and artworks   

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People  often think of Jesus as serene and admired by all. This was not so. Jesus was challenging, and he was hated by many upper-class leaders. Modern movies and artworks try to give a balanced view of Jesus, showing him as wise, strong, and unflinchingly courageous, but also controversial.

In 'Ben Hur', Christ's figure is shown, but never his face

In Pasolini's 'The Gospel According to Matthew', Christ is short, energetic, dynamic

'The Greatest Story Ever Told' has Christ as an other-worldly figure, part human, part divine

'Jesus of Montreal' partly succeeds in portraying a Jesus who is integrated with the modern world

Jesus at the Last Supper

Pontius Pilate presents Jesus to the crowd

Two stills from Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ'

What a wonderful photograph by Michael Belk: 
walk with Jesus, let him help you, and he will lighten your load.

Michael Belk, 'Journeys with the Messiah: The Second Mile'

The photographer Michael Belk has departed from tradition by showing an informal Jesus who laughs, argues, talks one-to-one. This is a major innovation, and a welcome one. Try to think of past paintings or images that show Jesus laughing - they are rare, if they exist at all.

Michael Belk, 'Journeys with the Messiah: Gone Astray'

Prints of these three photographs are available at 

Michael Belk's website: Journeys with the Messiah

Some modern images of Mary of Nazareth

Mary of Nazareth in 'The Passion of the Christ'

Very few images of Mary show the lines and wrinkles of an aging Jewish peasant woman. Later sequences in the movie 'The Passion of the Christ' (see above) capture the mature Mary.

Statue of Mary by David Wynne, Ely Cathedral

Here is a figure full of energy: hands, feet and hair all suggest movement. This is a vigorous, beautiful  Mary, hands raised to heaven, feet stepping into the future.

An other-worldly statue of Mary by Robert Graham 
at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles

The cathedral website describes the statue thus:

'The ornamental space above the pair of bronze doors contains the 8 foot image of Our Lady of the Angels. The modern figure is presented as a woman “clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet” (Revelations 12:1). The halo shaft above her head shines God’s light on her as the sun travels from east to west.
Mary does not wear the traditional veil. Her arms are bare, outstretched to welcome all. Her carriage is confident, and her hands are strong, the hands of a working woman.
From the side can be seen a thick braid of hair down her back that summons thoughts of Native American or Latina women. Other characteristics, such as her eyes, lips and nose convey Asian, African and Caucasian features. Without the conventional regal trappings of jewels, crown or layers of clothing, she has a dignity that shines from within.'

Mary in Franco Zeffirelli's film 'Jesus of Nazareth'

Our Lady of the Southern Cross, by Paul Newton

This painting adapts itself to the Southern Hemisphere: the landscape behind Mary 
is the Australian outback, and the constellation in the upper right corner is the Southern Cross

'Kissing the Face of God', by Morgan Weistling

The Annunciation, by John Collier

And now for something completely different: Mary as a schoolgirl in sneakers, startled as well she might be by the appearance of an angel on her doorstep. Only the lilies and the angel's wings tell us 
what is going on: the Annunciation!

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Bible Art: Modern Paintings, Photographs and Films showing Jesus of Nazareth and his mother Mary

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Copyright 2012 Elizabeth Fletcher