The Gospel According to Matthew

90 minutes • 1964 • 7.7

By a rocky, golden coastal strip, Jesus preaches his teachings, mainly through parables. He attracts disciples; he is strict, brusque and demanding. He comes with swords, not peace, he says. He is in a hurry, moving from place to place near Lake Genesis, where he sometimes gathers crowds and sometimes gets chased away. His parables are often about the rulers, so he and his teachings get the attention of the Pharisees, the high priests, and the elders. They make plans to have him arrested, beaten, brought to justice and crucified, as he prophesied for his followers. After his death, he shows up to his disciples and gives them his final instructions.

The film was awarded the "Century" Andrea Award at the Amanda Festival in 1995, as "the film that has best portrayed the biblical narratives at a high artistic level". The gospel of Matthew is praised by critics such as Pier Paolo Pasolini's masterpiece.