Vie et Passion du Christ (Life and Passion of the Christ) is one of the earliest feature-length narrative films, produced and released in 1903. The film portrays the events of the Gospels - from the Annunciation to the Ascension - employing only visual language (it is a silent film, with inter-titles used only to introduce the traditional title of individual scenes).

Thomas and James are joined by painter and mutual friend Matt Kirby to discuss the film, a work that bridges contemporary cinematic depictions of the Gospels with those found throughout the classical painting tradition.

Links

Full film on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5VPWPgkT8A

Matt Kirby artwork & essays: http://www.mkkirby.com/

Theme music: The Duskwhales, “Take It Back”, used with permission. https://theduskwhales.bandcamp.com/

Vie et Passion du Christ (1903)