(Photo: BBC Archive)
In February 1956, a groundbreaking moment in television history unfolded as the BBC premiered “Jesus of Nazareth,” marking the first televised depiction of Jesus Christ’s life. This pioneering series drew inspiration from the Bible and was crafted with children in mind, yet it resonated with viewers of all ages.
Origins and Development
The concept for this mini-series emerged from the BBC’s desire to create a program that would bring the story of Jesus to life on British television for the first time. In 1954, the BBC envisioned an eight-part series designed to air during the Sunday children’s hour. The series was intended to culminate on Easter Sunday, offering a dramatic portrayal of Jesus’ life.
Joy Harington, a seasoned BBC children’s producer, played a pivotal role in bringing this vision to fruition. With guidance from Rev Robert C Walton and Rev Roy McKay, Harington meticulously prepared to ensure authenticity and reverence in the storytelling.
Location and Language
Filming took place in the spring of 1955, with the production team traveling to Israel to capture scenes in the historically significant locations of Galilee and Jerusalem. The series skillfully combined these pre-recorded segments with live studio broadcasts from Lime Grove Studio E in Ealing. To make the story accessible to a broader audience, the dialogues were delivered in contemporary English, deviating from the traditional King James Version language.
In an article for the “Radio Times,” Freda Lingstrom, head of Children’s Television, expressed the series’ objective: “Our aim is to awaken the interest of children in the origins of the most significant influence in their lives and help them to understand something of the background against which the Christian story was enacted.”
Broadcast Details
The series debuted on February 12, 1956, with episodes airing every Sunday evening at 5:20 pm, concluding on Easter Day, March 18. The storyline spanned Jesus’ life from his youth to the Resurrection, presented in eight episodes:
Prologue: Preparing the Way
The Beloved Son
Jesus the Healer
Jesus the Teacher
Jesus the King
The Road to Jerusalem
Behold the Man
I Am Always with You
Notable cast members included Tom Fleming as Jesus, Barbara Lott as Mary Magdalene, Michael Bryant as John, Anthony Jacobs as Judas, and Alan Wheatley as Pontius Pilate.
Tom Fleming’s Contribution
Tom Fleming, a Scottish actor and son of a Baptist minister, portrayed Jesus with deep conviction and faith. Fleming was already a respected figure, having commentated on Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation in 1953. His portrayal of Jesus was informed by his own devout beliefs, which resonated with audiences.
In addition to his acting career, Fleming was an organist, lay preacher, and secretary at Canonmills Baptist Church in Edinburgh. He continued to lend his voice to significant events, including the wedding of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. Fleming was recognized with an OBE in 1990 and was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in 1998. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 82.
Accompanying Literature
Joy Harington authored a companion book for the series, published as a hardback by Brockhampton Press in 1956, with a paperback edition following in 1963. The book included a foreword by BBC Director-General Sir Ian Jacob and received high praise from the Times Educational Supplement: “Parents and Teachers are urged to put this altogether remarkable work into the hands of their children and then read it themselves … Its publication is an event of incalculable importance.”
Enduring Impact
Though initially intended for children, “Jesus of Nazareth” captivated adult audiences and achieved remarkable viewership, second only to the Queen’s Coronation. The series garnered the 1956 Guild of Television Producers and Directors award, a precursor to BAFTA, becoming the first children’s serial to receive such recognition. The series was rebroadcast in 1957 and 1958, excluding the prologue.
The success of the series inspired Joy Harington to create a follow-up series, “Paul of Tarsus,” in 1960. In 1977, ITV produced another mini-series titled “Jesus of Nazareth.” The 1956 production stands as a significant milestone, paving the way for future portrayals of biblical stories and setting a standard for religious programming on television.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
