Revision of author's thesis (Ph. D.)--Charles Sturt University, 2013 under title: Judas, sinner or saint? : a critical examination of the portrayal of Judas Iscariot in Jesus films (1902-2006) and its implications for Christian theology. Includes bibliographical references (pages 266-279). Includes filmography (pages 280-283) and indexes.
Contents:
Introduction: Who was Judas? : Christianity's evaluation of Judas -- Studying the filmic Judas character -- The silent era (1902-1927) -- Between the biblical epics (1930-1960) -- The biblical epics : the sixties -- The seventies -- Moving towards the new millennium -- The new millennium -- Judas as portrayed in film -- Judas, the Holocaust and Shoah theology.
Summary:
At the beginning of the 20th century, Judas was characterised in film as the epitome of evil: the villainous Jew. Film-makers cast Judas in this way because this was the Judas that audiences had come to recognize and even expect. But in the following three decades, film-makers - as a result of critical biblical study - were more circumspect about accepting the alleged historicity of the Gospel accounts. Carol A. Hebron examines the figure of Judas across film history to show how the portrayal becomes more nuanced and more significant, even to the point where Judas becomes the protagonist with a role in the film equal in importance to that of Jesus'. Hebron examines how, in these films, we begin to see a rehabilitation of the Judas character and a restoration of Judaism. Hebron reveals two distinct theologies: 'rejection' and 'acceptance'. The Nazi Holocaust and the exposure of the horrors of genocide at the end of World War II influenced how Judaism, Jews, and Judas, were to be portrayed in film. Rehabilitating the Judas character and the Jews was necessary, and film was deemed an appropriate medium in which to begin that process-- Source other than Library of Congress.
Series:
Scriptural traces : critical perspectives on the reception and influence of the Bible ; 9 Library of New Testament Studies ; 563 T & T Clark library of biblical studies
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.