THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION

US, 1958, 58 minutes, Colour.
Richard Kiley, Jon Shepodd, Charles Maxwell.
Directed by Harold D. Schuster.

The Power of the Resurrection is a brief film, similar in style to those made by Father Peyton and Family Theatre as well as many Protestant Jesus films of the time like I Beheld His Glory. The film was directed by Harold D. Schuster, the editor of the classic Sunrise and director of such films as My Friend Flicka. At this time he made the western Dragoon Wells Massacre.

The film focuses on Richard Kiley as Peter, about to go to his death, and explaining to a young disciple what had happened to him. The flashbacks go as far back as the entry into Jerusalem, Judas’ betrayal, the investigator from the Sanhedrin interrogating Judas and Peter, the last supper, brief agony in the garden, the trial, a very brief crucifixion scene and then a focus on the resurrection and its consequences. Richard Kiley always had a strong sonorous voice and brings dignity to Peter. He was the narrator in the 1990s film, The Gospel of Matthew.

Jon Shepodd portrays Jesus, in the vein of the very reverent films made by Protestants at this time.

The film is rather conventional, traditional in its presentation of some of the famous scenes from the Gospel. However, audiences in the 1950s had not seen the Jesus films and so this kind of film stood out more than it does today.

1. The impact of the film? A Jesus film of the 1950s? When audiences hadn’t experienced this kind of film? In the hindsight of the other Jesus films?

2. The production values: the Roman prison, Jerusalem, the city, the Sanhedrin, the upper room, the crucifixion, the garden and the tomb? The musical score?

3. The popular art tradition? The portrayal of Jesus, his appearance? His voice? His reverent speaking of the classic Gospel lines at the last supper, at the trial, at the crucifixion, after the resurrection?

4. The character of Peter, dignified in old age, talking with the young man? The flashbacks, his brashness, his eagerness as a disciple, explaining to the investigator the miracles of Jesus and his enthusiasm? The clashes with Judas, friendship with John? The last supper and his declarations, following Jesus into the Praetorium, his denials and the cock crowing? His shame and weeping? His watching the crucifixion? The resurrection, John running to the tomb? The build-up to the coming of the Holy Spirit, Pentecost, his preaching and the reaction of the authorities?

5. Judas, his ambitions, political? The discussions with the investigator? His going to the high priest? The betrayal?

6. John and the other disciples, the preparation for the last supper, the entry into Jerusalem, the sitting arrangements at the last supper, sleeping in the garden? After the resurrection? The renewed enthusiasm of the spirit and their preaching?

7. The investigator, interrogating Peter, Judas, reporting back to the authorities?

8. The high priests, the plotting against Jesus, Judas’ betrayal? The trial?

9. Mary the sister of Lazarus, her being equated with Mary Magdalene, her friendship with Jesus, support, witness to him? At Calvary? Witness to the resurrection?

10. Mary the mother of Jesus, her presence at the cross, after the resurrection?

11. The popular ingredients of a biblical story?