Pontius Pilate (Italian: Ponzio Pilato, French: Ponce Pilate) is an Italian drama film from 1962, directed by Gian Paolo Callegari and Irving Rapper, written by Oreste Biancoli, starring Jean Marais and Jeanne Crain.[2][3][4]
The film is known under the titles: Ponce Pilate (France), Poncio Pilatos (Spain), Pontius Pilate (UK / US), Pontius Pilatus – Statthalter des Grauens (Germany).[5]
John Drew Barrymore plays the characters of both Judas Iscariot and Jesus of Nazareth.[6]
The scenario is based mainly on the Gospel of John. The following biblical passages are quoted in the film: Matthew 27:11; Mark 15:2; Luke 23:1; John 18:33; 18:37; John 18:38; 19:9-11; Matthew 27:24; Deuteronomy 21:6-7; John 19:19-21; 19:22.[7]
This film takes a perspective on events surrounding the Passion of Jesus Christ by focusing on Pontius Pilate, the Procurator of Judea who condemned Him to death. Pilate is a man for whom nothing seems to go as planned.
The film was produced in Italy and released there on 15 February 1962.
