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Movie 33min

The Birth, Life And Death Of Christ (1906)

Original title: La vie du Christ
The life of Jesus Christ in 25 scenes.
Rating:

+ 30 images
Facts
Director Alice Guy-Blaché
Country France
Language French
Titles
(Short) La passion
(Country Spesific) Život Isusa Hrista
(Country Spesific) Nacimiento, vida y muerte de Cristo
(Country Spesific) Zycie Chrystusa
(Country Spesific) Жизнь Иисуса Христа
(Alternative) Gaumont Passion Play
(Alternative) The Birth, the Life and the Death of Christ
(Alternative) The Birth, the Life, and the Death of Christ
(Alternative) La Passion ou la Vie de Notre Seigneur Jesus-Christ
(Original) La naissance, vie et passion du Christ
(Original) La vie du Christ
(Complete) La naissance, la vie et la mort de Notre-Seigneur Jésus-Christ
(Country Spesific) Jesu Liv
Production
Distribution
Categories
Based on the Bible Biblical Drama Birth of Jesus Black and White Death of Jesus Drama Entry into Jerusalem Feminism Jesus Arrested Jesus Christ Jesus in Gethsemane Jesus Miracles Jesus Mocked and Flogged Mary Magdalena follows Jesus Peter's Denial Pontius Pilatus Samaritan Woman Short Silent Film St. Joseph St. Mary St. Mary Magdalena St. Veronica Teaching in the Temple The Adoration of Infant Jesus The Burial of Jesus The Crucifixion The Last Supper The Nativity The Passion The Road to Golgotha The Trial Before Pilate The Wise Men The Women at the Tomb
Description

Alice Guy-Blaché’s film La vie du Christ(The Birth, the Life, and the Death of Christ) from 1906 tells the story of Jesus Christ from birth to resurrection in 25 scenes based on paintings. It was fuelled by her purchase of a copy of Jacques Tissot’s illustrated Bible in 1900 and became one of her most ambitious movies. It was a big hit in France and could boast of having over 100 extras. The film contained many scenes of Jesus' life that were never filmed before, like the raising of Jairus' daughter as well as the woman anointing Jesus' feet.

25 Scenes
The descriptions are from Kleine Optical Co. ad in "The Show World", December 21, 1907.
ARRIVAL AT BETHLEHEM.
"There is no room for them in the inn." Gospel according to St. Luke. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. . . . And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David), to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife.
THE NATIVITY. AND THE ADORATION OF THE WISE MEN.
"For we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him." Gospel according to St. Luke. And so it was, that while they were there. the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son; . . . And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
THE INFANT JESUS' SLEEP.
The Holy Family files to Egypt, and there finds refuge from Herod's cruelty. Their life there is humble and retired. The scene represents Mary working beside Jesus' cot watching His slumbers. Joseph, needing her assistance, calls her from the interior of the house. She leaves her son with regret, giving Him a last caress.
THE WOMAN OF SAMARIA
"Whosoever drinketh of this water snail thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst." Gospel according to St. John. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus, therefore. being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.
MIRACLE OF THE RAISING OF JAIRUS' DAUGHTER.
"Damsel, I say unto thee, arise." One of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, had a daughter whom he loved greatly, and she was dying.
MARY MAGDALENE.
Gospel according to St. Matthew. Jesus, being. at Bethany, was in the house of Simon, the Leper, and Mary Magdalene, after much difficulty, obtains permission to come before Jesus. and breaks an alabaster box of ointment over the Saviour's feet, and wipes them tondetly with her luxuriant hair.
THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM.
Gospel according to St. Luke. The whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; saying, "Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord; peace in heaven, and glory in the highest."
THE LAST SUPPER AND SACRAMENT.
Gospel according to St. Luke. And when evening was come Jesus sat at table with his disciples. and said, "Behold the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me at table:" and they were very sorrowful and began each to ask, "Is it I?" And Jesus said, "It is one of the twelve who dippeth his hand with me in the dish."
IN THE GARDEN OF OLIVES.
Gospel according to St. Luke. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down and prayed. saying, "Father, If thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless. not my will, but thine be done." And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven. strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly. and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
'SIMON, SLEEPEST THOU?'
Gospel according to St. Matthew. And he cometh to his disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, "What. could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray. that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed Is willing. but the flesh weak."
THE BETRAYAL AND ARREST.
Gospel according to St. John. Judas then having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Phari sees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. The traitor had given than this signal: "Whomsover I shall kiss, that same is he. hold him fast." And forthwith he came to Jesus and said, "Hail, Master." and kissed him. . . . Then came they. and laid hands on Jesus and took him. Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and smote the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. . . . Then Jesus said unto Peter. "Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?"
JESUS BEFORE CAIAPHAS.
Gospel according to St. Mark. The chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council seeking witness against Jesus to condemn him to death; but they found nothing against him, as there were but false witnesses. Gospel according to St. Matthew. And the High Priest answered and said unto him, "I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou to the Christ, the Son of God." Jesus saith unto them. "Thou hast said. . . ."
PETER'S DENIAL.
"Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice." Gospel according to St. John. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, "Art not thou also one of this man's disciples?" He saith, "I am not," . • . . and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself. . . . Then one near the tire also asked hint, "Art not thou also one of his disciples?" He denied it, and said. "I am not."
JESUS BEFORE PILATE.
Gospel according to St. John. Then led they Jesus from Calaphas unto the hall of Judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the Passover.
THE SCOURGING.
Gospel according to St. Matthew. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus to the common hall, and gathered unto him he whole band of soldiers. And they stripped Him and put on him a scarlet robe. And then they had platted a crown of thorns. hey put It upon l.'s head, and a reed in his fight hand; and they bowed the knee before tint and mocked him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" And they spit upon him, and took the reed and smote him on the head.
ECCE HOMO! (BEHOLD THE MAN.)
Gospel according to St. John. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, "Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him."
JESUS IS MADE TO CARRY HIS CROSS.
Gospel according to St. Matthew. And after they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.
JESUS FALLS FOR THE FIRST TIME.
Surrounded by a hostile and brutal mob. stumbling 'neath the weight of His cross, Jesus wends His sorrowful way from the streets of Jerusalem, His heart breaking with the injuries and insults inflicted by the multitude for whom He is giving His life.
THE INCIDENT OF ST. VERONICA.
We have in this picture illustrated the tradition of St. Veronica.
THE ASCENT TO CALVARY.
Gospel according to St. Mark. And they bring him into the place Golgotha. which is being Interpreted, the place of a skull (Calvary).
THE CRUCIFIXION.
Gospel according to St. Luke. And when they were come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Gospel according to St. Mark. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice. saying, "Eloi. Elol, lama Sabachthani!" which is being interpreted, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?"
THE AGONY AND DESCENT FROM THE CROSS.
Gospel according to St. John. And after this Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews. besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him leave He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
THE AGONY AND DESCENT FROM THE CROSS.
Gospel according to St. John. And after this Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews. besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him leave He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
THE BURIAL OF CHRIST.
Gospel according to St. John. Now In the place where he was crucified there was garden, and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day: for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
THE RESURRECTION.
The chief priests and Pharisees. fearing that the prophecy of Jesus would come to Lass, placed a guard around the tomb, as the soldiers slept, the angels appeared, lifted the stone from the tomb, and Jesus, restored to life, rose. The guard then woke, and stricken with terror at this vision, fell to earth as if dead.
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Cast
Lonys -
Albert Fouché -
Edouard Grisollet - Jesus
Crew
Alice Guy-Blaché - Director
Victorin-Hippolyte Jasset - Director (Assistant)
Alice Guy-Blaché - Writer
Anatole Thiberville - Cinematography (Other)
Victorin-Hippolyte Jasset - Production Design
Henri Ménessier - Production Design
Georges Hatot - Director (Collaborator)
Reviews
by
Gravatar
Focused on the End

Many praise Alice Guy for implementing feminist ideas into the movie by focusing extra on women, and in many ways that is correct. I found it however peculiar how much of the film is focused on the Passion, from when Jesus rides into Jerusalem forward. There are a few scenes of Jesus' birth, few of his mission, but then over half is focused on the Passion, not to mention the road to Golgotha alone. The film is very nicely done, and I found it oddly satisfying and meditative. There are a lot of things to put one's attention on like children playing and people reacting and angels appearing and disappearing. It was truly a great feature of its time.