Franco Zeffirelli's Jesus: A Spiritual Diary

by Franco Zeffirelli

English, Italian (translation)

116 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Gian Franco Corsi Zeffirelli KBE, Grande Ufficiale OMRI, best known as Franco Zeffirelli, was an Italian director and producer of operas, films and television. He was also a senator for the Italian centre-right Forza Italia party. Some of his operatic designs and productions have become worldwide classics. Wikipedia

Reviews

[Nathaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this revealing memoir, Zeffirelli explains how "a conspiracy of happenings" led to the making of his landmark 1977 miniseries Jesus of Nazareth. A simple "making of" narrative would have been pleasurable enough, but the Italian director goes on to describe how his work on the film contributed—quite unexpectedly—to a personal spiritual renewal. Between passages on the writing, casting, and shooting of the production, Zeffirelli reflects eloquently on the timeless significance of Jesus, the limitations of film, and the artist's role in "recovering the dimensions of a pure, necessary truth." As a lay theologian he can be a tad unorthodox (a common refrain: "Can we ever know?"), but he has an easygoing and engaging way with words and his reflections are often thought provoking. I particularly liked his imaginative take on Judas:

"Jesus wanted this type of man by his side, knowing well that they can betray. The intelligentsia who think they know all the answers, relying on reason alone, are the real traitors because they end up by betraying the very values that matter… And it delights me that, with regard to Judas, Jesus pointed out that subtle and grave error of the human spirit, that unique condemnation of the intelligence. We are surrounded by Judases, and they are condemned to hang themselves, sooner or later, from the tree of their own pride."