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The Passover Plot

Catalog Number
31040
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Primary Distributor (If not listed, select "OTHER")
Release Year
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VHS | SP | Slipcase
105 mins (NTSC)
N/A | N/A | N/A
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Second Distributor
The Passover Plot (1976)

Additional Information

Additional Information
Jesus did not die on the cross.

The original shocking story.

In his time he was called a revolutionary. Today he is called the Son of God.

...the greatest conspiracy in the history of mankind.


Was Jesus Christ the son of God -- or a clever political activist who staged his crucifixion and resurrection to help promote his point of view? The latter possibility is proposed in this bit of historical speculation, based on the best-selling novel by Hugh J. Schonfield. Yeshua (Zalman King), as the Hebrews called him, was a member of the Zealots who sought to end to the rule of the Romans who had taken control of their land. To rally support for their cause, Yeshua proclaims himself the son of God, born of mortal woman, and carefully orchestrates the events that lead to him being sentenced to death; he's also able to add to his martyrdom by falsifying a resurrection two days later. Understandably controversial upon release, The Passover Plot also stars Donald Pleasance, Scott Wilson, and Hugh Griffith; Mary Wills' costume design earned an Academy Award nomination.

This flashy adaptation of a controversial book on the true nature of Jesus Christ should have been "The Da Vinci Code" of its day; unfortunately, its sheer rarity all but ensured that it forgotten over the years! Its theme is certainly fascinating – theorizing that Christ was not really the Son of God but merely a man. Jesus becomes Yeshua, John (The Baptist) Yohanan, Judas (Iscariot) is now Judah. Zalman King approaches the role of Jesus with his customary intensity, this is complemented by Michael Campus' direction. The rest of the cast is peppered with familiar faces and some fine actors: Harry Andrews (John The Baptist), Hugh Griffith (Caiaphas), Dan Hedaya (as Jacob, brother to Jesus!), Donald Pleasence (who, having already portrayed The Devil in THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD [1965], now assumes the mantle of Pontius Pilate – though played in strictly stock-villain terms and shown to be in cahoots with the Jewish High Priests!), Robert Walker Jr. (Bartholomew) and Scott Wilson (Judas).

Release Date: October 29, 1976

Distrib: Atlas Films

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