Franco Zeffirelli (1923-2019)

Franco Zeffirelli on the set of 'Jesus of Nazareth' with Robert Powell.

We lost on Saturday, June 15 one of the best movie directors that ever lived. Franco Zeffirelli was 96, born on February 12, 1923, in Florence and will always be remembered for a series of operas and plays by Shakespeare which he made into classic movies. From ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ in 1967 to Verdi’s ‘La Traviata’ in 1982, from ‘Romeo and Juliet ‘ in 1968 to Puccini’s ‘Turandot’ and Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ as recently as 2010. He also produced ‘Brother Sun, Sister Moon’ on the life of St Francis in 1972, ‘The Champ’ in 1979, and the extended movie for which he will always be remembered ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ directed in 1977, released in two parts. I was enamored with this movie when it came out in the year I was ordained a priest. Many film strips of scenes from the movie were also released by religious companies, also in the form of slides which catechists used before the advent of computers and digital photography. It was a blessing having so many scenes from the life of Christ in slides to use to teach children and adults. Who can forget that stunning image of Jesus, played by Robert Powell! Zeffirelli was nominated twice for an Oscar, for ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and ‘La Traviata.’ Thank you Franco for a life well lived and for giving us so many classic films to cherish for eternity.