The film Jesus of Nazareth opens before Jesus" birth.
Israel was under the control of the Roman Empire. The time period was 6 B.C. to.
around 30 A.D. At the time of Christ's birth, Herod the Great stilled ruled. There were rumors of a king to be born and rule Israel. Ultimately, Herod's fear of a future king had him order all children two years and under to be murdered. Matthew 2:16 "When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.". Historically this has not been proven, but given Herod's nature and known history for his deeds, it is conceivable. .
This epic tale of the life of Jesus Christ is possibly the best and most accurate accounts of his life. Using all 4 gospels as a reference Franco Zeffirelli creates a historical and accurate account. Using the gospels Luke and Matthew primarily as a guide Zeffirelli paints a humanistic quality of Christ. Robert Powell, who portrays Jesus, strives for a more God like Christ in which I believe he accomplished. Jesus appears to be in a trance like state for the majority of the film. Perhaps this could be the way Jesus really was, but who is to say for sure. I have always pictured him as a friendly person and a very compassionate man. The film portrays him as both, but he does come across as someone with authority. His teachings are stern and with authority, especially in his voice. .
Inaccuracies in Jesus of Nazareth are few and far between. The first one would be when Jesus comes to John the Baptist to be baptized. Luke 3:22 "and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased".