Neighbourhood Film Nights: Third Thursdays each month, Free to all!

Come join us for a cosy and relaxed evening as we enjoy a thought-provoking film together in the local Quaker Meeting House.

Tea, coffee, and light refreshments

A chance to meet neighbours and have a chat after film

third Thursdays each month 6:30 PM

Free entry - just bring yourself (and maybe a friend!)

NEXT SCREENING - THURSDAY 19th March 2026 6:30 PM - 8:30PM

The Gospel According to St. Matthew
(Italian: Il Vangelo secondo Matteo) 1964, U-rated, 2h17m

genres:

neorealism, Italian, biography, drama, history

synopsis:

Biblical drama written and directed by Pier Paolo Pasolini. Despite Pasolini being an atheist and a Marxist, the film is widely considered one of the most faithful and greatest cinematic retellings of the life of Christ, even being praised by the Vatican.

explore more of this title on IMDb

Direct Scriptural Adaptation
Pasolini chose to adapt the Gospel of Matthew specifically, finding John "too mystical," Mark "too vulgar," and Luke "too sentimental".  Wikipedia +1
 
Dialogue Accuracy:

Every line of dialogue in the film is taken directly from the Gospel of Matthew; Pasolini added no literary or dramatic inventions to the script.

Narrative Focus:

Unlike Hollywood epics that focus on spectacle, Pasolini's film emphasizes Jesus' teachings and his role as a radical revolutionary and poet-prophet.
Miracles: Miracles such as healing the sick and walking on water are included but presented matter-of-factly through simple editing techniques rather than elaborate special effects.  BFI +5
 
Production and Aesthetic Style
Filmed in the stark, rocky landscapes of Southern Italy (Basilicata and Calabria), the movie employs a neorealist style that resembles a documentary. 

Cast:

Following neorealist tradition, the cast consisted of non-professional actors.Jesus: Played by Enrique Irazoqui, a Spanish economics student chosen for his striking resemblance to El Greco’s paintings.
Mary: The director’s own mother, Susanna Pasolini, played the older Mary.
Cinematography: Shot in black and white by Tonino Delli Colli, the film uses handheld cameras and zoom lenses to create an "unadorned" and "gritty" feel.
Soundtrack: The film features an eclectic, anachronistic score including Bach, Mozart, American spirituals (Odetta), and the Missa Luba (a Congolese Latin Mass).  Wikipedia +8
 
Critical Reception and Legacy
The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival on 4 September 1964, winning the Grand Jury Prize.
Awards: It received three Academy Award nominations for Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, and Best Score.
Historical Impact: Its naturalistic approach influenced later filmmakers; for instance, Mel Gibson used the same Italian locations for The Passion of the Christ decades later. 

For your edification Friends, next time it's an earnest 'neorealist' portrayal of a big chunk of Matthew's gospel, in time for the Easter season at Neighbourhood Film Night. Enjoy this gritty revolutionary spin on the greatest story of all time, with a largely non-professional cast, that the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano in 2015 called the "best film on Christ ever made". 

In italian, with English subtitles, B&W.