Il vangelo secondo Matteo [The Gospel According to St. Matthew] (1964)

(On Cable TV, November 2022) If, for any reason, you need time to stand still as you reflect on existence, delay the inevitable or need a snooze button on life, then put on The Gospel According to St. Matthew and feel the world stop for a staggering 137 minutes. Not just 137 minutes, mind you: 137 minutes of biblical homage executed in Italian neo-realistic style: raw naturalistic settings, unpolished non-professional actors, black-and-white cinematography, with an almost-documentary approach to image construction. That may appeal to you, and if you, you’d be in good company—the film was (and remains) highly praised, collected a few Academy Awards nominations in its time and continues to be relatively popular among cinephiles. If nothing else, there’s something provocative in writer-director Pier Paolo Pasolini’s approach to biblical material, as he refuses to take the highly reverential, super-glossy approach that Hollywood historical epics (or Cinecitta-shot passion plays) usually defaulted to in showing similar material. The approach is refreshingly different. On the other hand, well, you have to like Italian neorealism, and that’s a tall order for many—including myself. Once I became familiar with the approach, I felt that The Gospel According to St. Matthew didn’t have much to go on, but it did go on for another two hours. Maybe that’s what you’re looking for. Otherwise, skip ahead. Although… there is something to be said for watching this one to the end, and following it up immediately with Pasolini’s complementary Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom.