In Front | A Film with Global Reach

While no known study has been conducted, it is highly likely that no film has been translated and released in more languages than the 1979 film, Jesus. Starring Brian Deacon as Jesus, this film’s script draws predominantly from Luke’s Gospel. With its $6 million budget and $4 million box office revenues, no one could have expected worldwide distribution. But this film has had no ordinary run. 

In 1981, the organization CRU (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) initiated the Jesus Film Project. This project was dedicated to the translation and distribution of the film worldwide.

Since that time, the film has been translated into approximately 1,000 languages. The project estimates several billions of viewings if you count repeat views. There’s no doubt millions have seen it. It may be the most viewed film in history. 

While the film has been criticized as “painfully monotonous”, its power is heightened when taken to remote parts of the world. The film has been shown in villages around the world using generators and mobile equipment. In that context, many people are seeing a film for the very first time or, at the least, the first film in their native tongue. Its impact is no less dramatic if you take into account the Jesus Film Project’s claim that approximately 500 million people have indicated a decision to follow Jesus after viewing the film.

Sources: https://www.jesusfilm.org/about/history.html.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/08/movies/baptism-by-celluloid.html. Accessed March 8, 2018.