Search - El Martir del Calvario (The Martyr of Calvary) on DVD

"Yo soy la luz del mundo"

Alejandra Vernon | Long Beach, California | 04/10/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From 1952 and the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, comes this reverent telling of Jesus' ministry and crucifixion directed by Miguel Moravia; it is scripturally accurate and spoken in classic Spanish. The cinematography by Jorge Stahl is in delicate sepia tones, and filmed within a soundstage, and the cast looks like church statuary come to life.
Enrique Rambal moves with slow grace as Jesus, with flowing wavy golden hair, and snowy white robes. His script is almost entirely scripture, which he recites as if it were set to music; it is a delight to listen to, and inspiring as well.
Others in the cast include Consuelo Frank as Maria (Madre), Alicia Palacios as Maria Magdalena, Miguel Angel Ferriz as Pedro, Jose Maria Linares-Rivas as Caifas, and Jose Baviera as Poncio Pilato. One can see that this film owes some of its imagery and characterizations to Cecil B. DeMille's 1927 "King of Kings", especially in the depictions of Judas and Mary Magdalene, and those who find the words of Matthew 27:25 offensive should be warned, as it is in the script.
There are portions of this film that are showing age, and one has to hope that such a lovely film will get restoration soon. Lyrical and poetic, this is one of the many films from Mexico's fine cinematic heritage that deserves the best of care.
This film does not include subtitles."