Jesus Christ Superstar

Mar 16 2008 By Lesley Roberts

The Deity Dozen Of Toughest Role Ever

IT'S the greatest story ever told - but telling it is fraught with danger.

The BBC wades into controversy tonight with its four-part £4million Biblical drama The Passion.

And little-known actor Joseph Mawle admits he found the leading role "incredibly daunting".

But Scotland's religious leaders are pleased that the holy story is being retold. The Rev Jock Stein, of the Church of Scotland's mission council, said: "If people start talking about Jesus and taking him more seriously, that's good news."

Ronnie Convery, spokesman for the Catholic Church in Glasgow, was a consultant for the programme which culminates on Easter Sunday.

He said: "Dramatisation is fine as long as the story is accurate. I'm sure this will be gripping TV."

From Willem Dafoe to David Essex, many actors have played Jesus over the years, attracting varying levels of criticism.

Here are our Deity Dozen - 12 most famous portrayals of Jesus Christ, from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Jesus of Nazareth (1977) - Robert Powell

FRANCO ZEFFIRELLI'S masterpiece mini series lasted six hours and followed Jesus' story, from birth to resurrection. Powell's performance won praise but he later said: "You always offend someone and never live up to someone else's expectations."

The Passion of the Christ (2004) - Jim Caviezel

MEL GIBSON'S blood-soaked portrayal of Christ's crucifixion was a box office smash - but branded anti-semitic. Caviezel certainly suffered for the role: he was struck by lightning, dislocated his shoulder, accidentally whipped and injured his eye.

The Last Temptation of Christ (1989) - Willem Dafoe

MARTIN SCORSESE'S infamous movie provoked the fury of Christian groups with a dream sequence, showing Jesus (played by Willem Dafoe) making love with Mary Magdalene. Scorsese ended up getting death threats.

The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) - Max Von Sydow

THIS big-budget spectacular never lived up to its billing - with star Von Sydow more wooden than his cross. Even John Wayne playing a Roman centurian could not save it as he famously drawls: "Truly dis man was da son of God."

Godspell (1971) - David Essex

THIS stage musical - featuring hit song Day By Day - set 23-year-old David Essex on a heavenly career path. In it he played a handsome, trendy Christ. The musical moves life of Jesus to New York and the crucifixion takes place in a junkyard.

The King of Kings (1927) - HB Warner

CECIL B. DeMILLE'S silent epic starts in black and white but finishes in Technicolor. The film transformed English actor HB Warner into a respected star. He went on to appear in The Ten Commandments in 1957.

The Second Coming (2003) - Christopher Eccleston

ECCLESTON plays Manchester City fan Stephen Baxter, who is found starving and bedraggled after 40 days and nights alone on the Yorkshire Moors. The video shop worker says he is the returning Jesus and performs a miracle at an old stadium.

The Gospel According To St Matthew (1964) - Enrique Irazoqui

ITALIAN director Pier Paolo Pasolini - a renowned Marxist and atheist - created this classic by recruiting a cast of amateur actors. Jesus, is played as a Marxist by 19-year-old Spanish economics student Enrique Irazoqui.

Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) - Ted Neeley

TED NEELEY has made a career playing Christ in this off-beat musical. He went on to star in the film version and he has recently joined a new touring production. He even met his wife on the set. She was one of the dancers.

Jesus (1979) - Brian Deacon

SHAKESPEAREAN actor Brian Deacon stars in this movie funded by an evangelical group. He read several Biblical translations a day in preparation for the role. The actor who plays Jesus' corpse in the film, later trained to be a priest.

The Miracle Maker (2000) - Ralph Fiennes

THIS Wallace and Gromit style version - made by the BBC - is an attempt to tell the story of Christ's life to children. Ralph Fiennes provides the voice for the Plasticine Jesus, with Julie Chrisite, Ian Holm and William Hurt also among the voice cast.

Life Of Brian (1979) - Graham Chapman

MONTY PYTHON'S classic comedy sees an ordinary chap called Brian (Graham Chapman) mistaken for the Messiah. Brian's mum memorably says: "He's not the Messiah, he's a very naughty boy." Campaigners picketed cinemas in protest.

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