Rossellini takes numerous liberties with the original source material, rearranging and omitting events at will, presenting everything in a highly undramatic fashion. The film begins in the time of the Old Testament, allowing Rossellini to present the story of Jesus in its ancient, historic context.
as Jesus
as Virgin Mary
as John the Baptist
as Saul
as Samuel
as Maria Magdalena
as Pontius Pilate
as Herodes Antipas
as Herod the Great
as Adulteress
as Herodias
as Joseph
as Roman guard
as Herod's brother
as Caiaphas
as La sorella di Erode
as Samaritan
as Pharisee
as Matthew
