The Great Commandment

The Great Commandment is a 1939 American Christian film directed by Irving Pichel, which portrays the conversion to Christianity of a young Zealot, Joel, and the Roman soldier Longinus through the teachings of Jesus in his Parable of the Good Samaritan. It was coproduced by Rev. James K. Friedrich and released by Cathedral Films in 1939. Its theatrical release was in 1941 by Twentieth Century Fox.

With the sword of the zealots entrusted to him, Joel goes out to find Jesus in order to enlist His leadership of their cause. Jesus is not presented directly in this film, but only as a reflection in water, as the glow of light on His listeners, and by way of the voice of Irving Pichel, the director. Joel meets Jesus disciples, Andrew and Judas Iscariot, who have two different ideas about Jesus mission. Judas, like the zealots, thinks that Jesus should be a military and political leader who would lead his people against the Romans. Joel confronts Jesus with the sword of the zealots, and Jesus declines his invitation with the words of Matthew 2652 all who take up the sword will perish by the sword.Joel disappointedly returns to his village just in time for the wedding feast of his brother Zadok and his beloved Tamar. He comes up with the idea that he and the zealots would kidnap Jesus and force His hand to support them. This is forestalled by Jesus appearance at the village gate where Joels father is presented as the scribe who asks Jesus, What is the greatest commandment in the Law? Luke 102537. Jesus replies with His Parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus exhortation at the end to, Go and do thou likewise, moves Joel to abandon his plan to kidnap Jesus. ........

Source: Wikipedia