Reviews

It was a long time ago (1986, evidently) but I remember seeing this and being totally enthralled. Hayman as Christ in contemporary Glasgow, is brilliant, Fulton, as a bar-room philosopher, a gem, and the atmospheric filming a triumph. The contemporary setting and mix of politics and religion may be perceived by some as irreverent or even blasphemous and offence may be given by the portrayal of the occupying Roman forces of the New Testament being portrayed by 1980s English establishment, grey suited, faceless (and ruthless) figures. While Thatcherism found little support in Scotland at the time, if the film-makers were seeking commercial success, it was perhaps brave but foolhardy to portray Christ and his followers as Glaswegian socialists living in what was quietly becoming a police state. That said, I'd love to give this a second look.

I remember watching this series on our black and white telly when I was about 10 years old. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the series I was conscious even then that it was a bit of an anachronism - a ripping yarn when theatre and TV of the time were exploring gritty realism or jet-set glamour. I remember Gary Bond (who was always just a bit too good looking, a sort of cross between Peter O'Toole and John Fraser) playing the main protagonist, though I think the focus shifted to other characters in some episodes. Once again this piece of casting seemed to counter the trend of the time when working-class and regional accents were, for the first time, coming to the fore. The opening credits I remember as being particularly impressive, using actual photographs of the North-West frontier from the time . Certainly wouldn't mind watching this again...if it has survived in an archive somewhere.