Judas

Judas (original title Gli amici di Gesù – Giuda) is a 2001 Italian-German television film directed by Raffaele Mertes. Running roughly 91 minutes, this religious drama was also released as Close to Jesus – Judas within Turner's series of biblical films.

The story follows the life and tragic end of Judas Iscariot, the apostle who, according to the New Testament, handed Jesus of Nazareth over to his enemies with a kiss. Judas is first presented as an ardent champion of Jesus's message; as his hopes go unfulfilled he grows disillusioned, yet even at the foot of the cross he still expects Jesus to work a miracle and save himself. Rather than reducing him to a simple villain, the film portrays him as a torn, conflicted man caught between faith and disappointment.

Enrico Lo Verso plays Judas, alongside Danny Quinn as Jesus and Mathieu Carrière as Pontius Pilate. The supporting cast features Mehmet Günsür, Hannes Jaenicke, Aglaia Szyszkowitz and Francesco Pannofino. Franco Bernini wrote the screenplay.