The Gospel According to Matthew
Pasolini’s austere black-and-white Gospel turns Jesus’s ministry into a forceful, politically charged meditation on faith, authority, suffering, and resurrection.
Overview
A powerful retelling of the life and teachings of one of history's most influential figures, exploring faith and sacrifice.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- austere
- prophetic
- contemplative
- serious film study
- religious reflection
What critics said
Critics broadly praise Pasolini’s naturalistic, politically charged retelling of Christ’s life for its spiritual intensity and visual richness, despite ideological disagreements.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Pasolini stages Jesus's ministry among rocky landscapes and ordinary faces in austere black and white, rejecting the pageantry of biblical epics.
Enrique Irazoqui's Cristo is stern, brusque, forceful, and openly announces that he comes to bring a sword rather than peace.
Jesus's parables challenge the powers that be and provoke opposition from Pharisees, chief priests, and elders.
Pasolini frames Christian suffering and mystery as a reaction against Marxist conformity while retaining political and social critique.
Films like The Gospel According to Matthew, and why
The Passion of Joan of Arc
Naturalistic biblical drama with austere black-and-white imagery and intense spiritual seriousness
The Last Temptation of Christ
Radical, psychologically charged religious drama that emphasizes faith, suffering, and political authority over spectacle
Andrei Rublev
Meditative black-and-white sacred drama centered on spiritual conviction and existential mystery
The Sacrifice
Visually rigorous historical religious drama using stark realism and institutional conflict
Movie Details
- Director
- Pier Paolo Pasolini
- Release Date
- 1965-03-03
- Runtime
- 137 min
- Rating
- 7.4 / 10 (426)
Cast
- Enrique Irazoqui
- Margherita Caruso
- Susanna Pasolini
- Marcello Morante
- Mario Socrate
- Settimio Di Porto
- Alfonso Gatto
- Luigi Barbini
- Giacomo Morante
- Giorgio Agamben
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Criterion Channel, Fandor Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Gospel According to Matthew about?
- Pasolini’s austere black-and-white Gospel turns Jesus’s ministry into a forceful, politically charged meditation on faith, authority, suffering, and resurrection.
- What is The Gospel According to Matthew like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Gospel According to Matthew as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Gospel According to Matthew violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Gospel According to Matthew as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Gospel According to Matthew?
- Critics broadly praise Pasolini’s naturalistic, politically charged retelling of Christ’s life for its spiritual intensity and visual richness, despite ideological disagreements.
- Which films are like The Gospel According to Matthew?
- Films with a similar feel include The Passion of Joan of Arc, The Last Temptation of Christ, Andrei Rublev, and The Sacrifice.
- How long is The Gospel According to Matthew?
- The Gospel According to Matthew runs 137 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Gospel According to Matthew?
- In United States, The Gospel According to Matthew streams on Criterion Channel, Fandor Amazon Channel.
