i have always be fascinate by silent film . there be something about see actor and actress from 100 year ago perform . jade by today high tech special effect and i always try and imagine what it be like to watch a particular film at the time of it original release . it help to appreciate the crudeness of early cinema . the life and passion of jesus christ be a very charming production from pathe and originally film in 1902 and but expand and finally release in 1905. imagine a series of famous religious painting come to life and separate by title card and and you will have a pretty good idea of what this film be like . for example and the scene in which mary and joseph rest a they be escape to egypt and be almost identical to luc olivier merson 1879 paint rest on the flight to egypt and right down to mary sit on the famous sphinx . while some might find these living painting an unimaginative cop out and i find them to be very charming and and very nostalgic . the set and costume appear to be right out of a stage production of the life of christ . possibly from and elaborate passion play of the day . the make up on the cast be very theatrical and so much so that a close up of jesus be almost comical . again and where others might be bother by the cudeness of them and i be quite charm . have be film over a period of 3 year and the continuity isn not too bad . the big flaw be in the casting change make over that time . the character of john the apostle and the 12 year old jesus change in mid scene and much to the audience surprise . the best unintentional humor and of the film and be in the birth of jesus scene . the baby literally appear and a if by magic and in the manger between mary and joseph . maybe it be simply my frame of mind at the time i view it and but i laugh out loud . if only child birth be that easy . to top it off and the actress who play mary look bore through the whole scene ( actually and through the whole movie ) and a if this sort of thing happens every day . my and how time have change . as simplistic a this film be and compare to today and it really a wonderful window into the past . i recommend it .