The Gospel According to St. Matthew

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The Gospel According to St. Matthew

1964

2h 16m

History

Drama

Biography

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Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

37 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Pier Paolo Pasolini's Biblical drama follows the life of Jesus Christ (Enrique Irazoqui) as depicted in the Gospel of Matthew from the New Testament. Much of the dialogue in the Italian film hews closely to the text, which focuses on the teachings of Jesus, including his parables, and on their revolutionary nature. As Jesus travels along the coast of the Sea of Galilee, he gradually gathers more followers, leading him into direct conflict with the authorities.

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Critics Consensus

The Gospel According to St. Matthew forgoes the pageantry of biblical epics in favor of a naturalistic retelling of the Christ story, achieving a respectful if not reverent interpretation with political verve.

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Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

03/01/2013

5/5

Superb in every way, and possibly the film-maker's best.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

02/28/2013

5/5

A fierce magnesium flame of a movie.

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David Jenkins

Little White Lies

03/08/2012

5/5

Definitely one for multiple viewings, and arguably up there with Pasolini's best.

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

Oct 3

3.5/4

There is a purity ... that gives it a transcendental aura.

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

04/13/2025

6/10

With a refined aesthetic, Pasolini frames an ascetic portrait of Christ's journey in a neorealist style, but unfortunately, his approach to the biblical text is didactic. [Full review in Spanish]

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Scott Nye

Battleship Pretension

06/29/2023

Pasolini frequently uses those who push themselves to the margins of society to expose our collective and individual weaknesses, and our determination to maintain the image of order.

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Pier Paolo Pasolini

Director

Enrique Irazoqui

Christ

Margherita Caruso

Mary (younger)

Susanna Pasolini

Mary (older)

Marcello Morante

Joseph

Mario Socrate

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Synopsis

Pier Paolo Pasolini's Biblical drama follows the life of Jesus Christ (Enrique Irazoqui) as depicted in the Gospel of Matthew from the New Testament. Much of the dialogue in the Italian film hews closely to the text, which focuses on the teachings of Jesus, including his parables, and on their revolutionary nature. As Jesus travels along the coast of the Sea of Galilee, he gradually gathers more followers, leading him into direct conflict with the authorities.

Director: Pier Paolo Pasolini
Producer: Alfredo Bini
Screenwriter: Pier Paolo Pasolini
Distributor: Water Bearer Films, Continental Distributing Inc.
Production Co: Arco Films
Genre: History, Drama, Biography
Original Language: Italian
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 4, 1964, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 1, 2012
Runtime: 2h 16m
Sound Mix: Mono