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Over a period of six years
from 1957-1963 Canadian painter, William Kurelek,
set himself the artistic task of painting
the Gospel of St. Matthew — a work of
160 paintings. No one before had ever illustrated
a Gospel sentence by sentence. It is an inspired
body of work.
This award-winning film, based on these paintings,
depicts the Easter story, and the last few
days of Jesus as told in the Gospel according
to St. Matthew.
"It is through
Kurelek's attention to detail that this
story is told with great power and the
conviction of his own faith. Earnshaw's
film of Kurelek's paintings is a harmonious
collaboration."
-Maureen Bauer-McGahey,
The
Social Edge |
Beginning with an overview
of the Holy Land, the film portrays:
- the Last Supper
- the Garden of Gethsemane
- the betrayal by Judas
- Peter's denial
- the trial before the High Priests
- the appearance before Pilate
- the scourging by the soldiers
- the Crucifixion
- the burial and the Resurrection
"Kurelek intended
these paintings to provide a religious
education. Take the time to meditate on
them — from the evocative scenes
in Gethsemane to the two Marys running
from the empty tomb — and you may
discover aspects of the faith and of yourself
that you had not previously contemplated."
-Glen Argan, Western
Catholic Reporter |
Until now, these paintings
could only be seen by those who made a pilgrimage
to the Niagara Falls Art Gallery, where the
original art work is housed. But this film
has has made Kurelek's inspirational art accessible
to all.
"This
is a fascinating film which would be excellent
enrichment material for Bible study and
might serve to pique students' interest
in the historical background. Recommended."
Landers Film Reviews
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Kurelek's Passion
of Christ series is suitable for all ages,
and has been endorsed by the Canadian Council
of Christians and Jews.
"No one in the history
of painting …ever essayed a project of such
epic proportions. Now that effort has been
captured on film. . .this fine film makes
a very fitting complement to Kurelek's paintings."
- Gerald T.Campbell,
Cinema Canada
". . .The Passion
of Christ, in the general opinion, is a masterpiece."
- Fr. Pierre Paul,
O.V.M.
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