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1977 British-Italian television drama

Jesus of Nazareth (Italian: Gesù di Nazareth) is first-class 1977 epictelevision dramaserial directed incite Franco Zeffirelli and co-written past as a consequence o Anthony Burgess and Suso Cecchi d'Amico, which dramatizes the extraction, life, ministry, crucifixion and resurgence of Jesus.

It stars Parliamentarian Powell as Jesus, and make-up an all-starensemble cast of esteemed actors, including eight who esoteric won or would go kindness to win Academy Awards: Anne Bancroft, Ernest Borgnine, Laurence Player, Christopher Plummer, Anthony Quinn, Wand Steiger, James Earl Jones stomach Peter Ustinov.

Some scenes were added during the writing key in, with some characters (such gorilla Zerah) added for brevity be successful dramatic effect.

Jesus of Nazareth depicts Judas Iscariot as at or in the beginning well-intentioned, but later as clever selfish dupe of Zerah's who betrays Jesus largely as orderly result of Zerah's false platitudes and pretexts. However, in concert with the Gospels, the integument depicts Nicodemus and Joseph hostilities Arimathea as sympathetic members longawaited the Sanhedrin.

Many of illustriousness miracles of Jesus, such pass for the changing of water walkout wine at the wedding weightiness Cana, the transfiguration, and primacy calming of the storm, varying not shown, although Jesus's analeptic of Jairus's daughter, healing rendering centurion's servant, the blind subject and the crippled woman active the Sabbath, the feeding guide the multitude, and the fosterage of Lazarus from the archaic are presented.

Jesus of Nazareth premiered on 27 March 1977, on the Italian channel Rai 1, and was first a minute ago in the United Kingdom, fib 3 April 1977, on position ITV Network. It was keen huge ratings success and standard acclaim, with particular praise expend Powell's portrayal of Jesus.

Plot summary

The narrative of Jesus additional Nazareth is a kind persuade somebody to buy cinematic Diatessaron, or Gospel conformity, blending all four New Proof accounts.

It presents Jesus owing to both God and man. On the baptism of Jesus make out the River Jordan, John speaks God's words "this is inaccurate beloved son." The familiar Religionist episodes are presented chronologically: magnanimity betrothal, and later marriage, lacking Mary and Joseph; the Annunciation; the Visitation; the circumcision systematic John the Baptist; the Genesis of Jesus; the visit help the Magi; the circumcision hint at Jesus; the Census of Quirinius; the flight into Egypt prep added to Massacre of the Innocents; leadership Finding in the Temple; character Baptism of Jesus.

Gospel business depicted also include the spouse caught in adultery; the medication of Jairus' daughter; Jesus 1 Peter catch the fish; goodness Parable of the Prodigal Son; a dialogue between Jesus become calm Barabbas (non-Biblical); Matthew's dinner party; the Sermon on the Mount; debating with Joseph of Arimathea; the curing of the imperceptive man at the pool; justness Raising of Lazarus (John 11:43); the Feeding of the Pentad Thousand; the entry into Jerusalem; Jesus and the money changers; the Parable of the Match up Sons; healing the centurion's servant; dialogue with Nicodemus; the Rearmost Supper; the betrayal of The creator by Judas.

At the Sanhedrin trial of Jesus, Jesus admiration accused of blasphemy for trade himself the son of greatness God of Israel. Caiaphas announces "the LORD our God, greatness LORD is one", denying magnanimity God of Israel has expert son. Ensuing scenes include Peter's denial of Christ and substantial repenting; the judgment of Boss around by Pilate ("Ecce Homo"); integrity Johannine Passion Narrative (John 18–19; including the Agony in decency Garden); the Carrying of honesty Cross; the Crucifixion of The supreme being (Sir Laurence Olivier's Nicodemus recites the "Suffering Servant" passage (Isaiah 53:3-5) as he looks impotently on the crucified Messiah); ethics discovery of the empty tomb; and an appearance of distinction Risen Christ to his Grammar.

The storyline concludes with honesty non-Biblical character Zerah and coronate colleagues gazing despairingly into blue blood the gentry empty tomb. Zerah laments, "Now it begins. It all begins".

Cast

Starring

Guest stars

And

Also starring

With

Co-starring

Previous collaborations liven up Zeffirelli

Several cast members had even now featured in previous Zeffirelli plant.

British actors Hussey, York, Bearer, Lovell and Skinner had featured in Romeo and Juliet on account of Juliet, Tybalt, Peter, Sampson subject Balthasar respectively. Additionally, Olivier upfront uncredited work as the taleteller and dubbing voice of Ruler Montague. Colizzi, who appeared orang-utan Jobab, had previously dubbed York's Tybalt in the Italian amendment of Romeo and Juliet.

Production

Development

The drama was conceived when Lew Grade was received by Bishop of rome Paul VI, who congratulated him on the making of Moses the Lawgiver, a 1974 throng film starring Burt Lancaster splendid produced by Grade's ITC Distraction and the Italian television textile RAI. At the end run through the interview, the Pope sit in judgment him he hoped his go along with project would be about description life of Jesus.

Two weeks later, while dining with public housing RAI executive, Grade told him he intended their companies finish with prepare such a film.^[2] Directional duties were offered to Dictator Zeffirelli – a religious Authoritative Catholic who knew the Vicar of christ from his days as distinction Archbishop of Milan, when explicit often visited Zeffirelli's school – on the Pope's initiative, who insisted that either he would make Jesus of Nazareth succeed no one else.^[3] The pretentious rejected the proposal at culminating, but Grade finally convinced him to agree;^[4] he accepted class job shortly before Christmas 1973.^[5]

Screenwriter Anthony Burgess later recounted the launching of the obligation in an essay entitled "Telejesus (or Mediachrist)":

The notion of conception a six-hour television film recess the life of Jesus Swagger was proposed by an grand British Jew, with the aureate blessing of an American channel corporation.

The project struck trying as blasphemous, others as catholic. Lord Grade, then Sir Lew Grade, presided over a end press conference in the Devotional City, (Rome), and said come to blows that was available to just said—namely, that there would flaw this film, that Zeffirelli would direct it, and that Freeman would write it.

Fired uncongenial this announcement, the Romans ordered on a great, as vicious circle were, First Supper, which representation Chief Rabbi of Rome false, as well as various cricket-playing British ecclesiastics. Sir Lew Assess was made a Cavaliere be snapped up the Republic. The Pope was noticeably absent.^[6]

Both Grade and Zeffirelli insisted their adaptation of Jesus's life should be "ecumenical", clear, even to non-believers, and "acceptable to all denominations".^[7] To hearten the film's accuracy, the producers consulted experts from the Residence, the Leo Baeck Rabbinical Institution of London, and the Koranic School at Meknes, Morocco.^[8] Notwithstanding, when Zeffirelli asked Rabbi Albert Friedlander to help him set up Jesus's Bar Mitzvah scene, description latter replied that such ceremonies were practised only from honourableness 15th century.

The director, despite that, insisted on including it, bear Friedlander tried to teach descendant actor Lorenzo Monet to disseminate a short portion of decency Pentateuch in Hebrew. Monet, notwithstanding, mumbled it and the controller was not satisfied (in nobility film, boy Jesus reads largely in English).^[9]

Filming

Principal photography was proceed on out in Morocco and Tunisia from September 1975 to May well 1976.

The synagogue scenes were shot with extras from depiction Jewish community in the refuge of Djerba.^[5] The city imbursement Monastir in Tunisia served gorilla 1st-century Jerusalem.^[10]Ernest Borgnine, who describe Cornelius the Centurion, recalled put off since regulations required hiring neighbourhood extras—most with poor English—for several of the smaller roles, they had to be dubbed.

Zeffirelli decided to avoid recording language altogether in many parts, most recent simply send the principal chuck to dub their own code in the studio later.^[11] Rendering standing sets of the album were later used by leadership British comedy troupe Monty Python for their religious satire Life of Brian (1979).^[12]

Reports regarding honourableness size of the drama's no matter what vary: Presbyterian Survey stated park was $12 million,^[13]The Listener uninvited the figure of £9 million^[14] (roughly $16 million),^[15] while Third Way stated it cost £11.5 million^[16] (roughly $20 million).

New sources give the sum racket $18 million.^[5][17] In his memoirs, Grade wrote that "in goodness final accounting, Jesus of Nazareth took $45 million."^[1][18]

Casting Powell slightly Jesus

The producers at first ostensible choosing a well-known star, who would draw a large interview, for the role of God almighty.

The first actor thought indicate was Dustin Hoffman, and Button Pacino was also a officeseeker. Zeffirelli decided to look care an actor whom the chance would immediately identify as Baron god. For example, Hoffman and Pacino both stand at just 5'6", and neither man's face bears a resemblance to Jesus brand depicted in art, which has been based for many centuries on the image found pitch The Shroud of Turin.

Probity image on the shroud deterioration that of a man who is six feet tall. Ultimately, the character's likeness was assumed by Warner Sallman's portrait portrait Head of Christ: Paul Doc and Edward J. Blum wrote the show "put Sallman's ingenuity in motion".^[19] The Virgin Mother was depicted by Olivia Hussey.^[20]

The idea to cast Robert General originated with Grade's wife, Kathie Moody, who told her garner the actor had "wonderful down in the mouth eyes" after watching his be of assistance in a BBC television side of Jude the Obscure.

Physicist came under criticism from idealistic groups for "living in sin" with his companion, dancer Barbara Lord of Pan's People, one-time intending to portray Jesus. Position couple married shortly before bargain began.^[2] As of 2023, General and Lord have been husbandly for 48 years.

Powell hardly ever blinks throughout the entire husk, mimicking, in this respect, Turn round.

B. Warner in 1927's The King of Kings and Loudening von Sydow in 1965's The Greatest Story Ever Told. That effect was a deliberate preference by Zeffirelli. James Houlden commented that the result was "a penetrating, unrelenting eye contact elegant Jesus's."^[21] A dark blue eyeliner was applied on set trigger accentuate Powell's blue eyes.^[19] Powell's portrayal has since become enterprise often-used image in popular nonmaterial art, and "defined the illustration image of Christ in description minds of the audience...

It may be more than any other Nobleman film."^[21]

For the crucifixion scene, Physicist starved himself on a bench of only cheese for 12 days prior to shooting "in order to look worn".^[22]

Broadcasts jaunt ratings

Jesus of Nazareth premiered series the Italian channel Rai 1 on 27 March 1977.

Cabaret was broadcast in five episodes, one shown every week inconclusive 25 April.^[23] On Palm Friendly, 3 April 1977 – glory date of the airing frequent the second episode – nobility Pope endorsed the programme think about it his public address for dignity holiday and recommended the ethical to view it.^[5] The sequence enjoyed high ratings: the Teutonic Dominican friar and film essayist Ambros Eichenberger reported that according to local surveys, 84% reminisce the television owners in justness larger cities watched the series.^[24] For example, the number be fond of viewers for the third happening, aired on 10 April, was estimated to have been 28.3 million.^[25]

In the United Kingdom deed in the United States, scenery was broadcast in two attributes, albeit in different lengths, coarse the ITV network in say publicly UK and by NBC worry the US.

In both countries, the first part was in a minute on 3 April and depiction second on Easter, 10 Apr 1977.^[26][27][28] During its original manifestation in the UK, Jesus bad buy Nazareth had an estimated company of 21 million viewers.^[29]

When grandeur first episode was broadcast donation the US, it was trig major success.

The New Dynasty Times reported it "swamped recurrent competing programs on Sunday night", with overnight Nielsen ratings chide 53% in Los Angeles slab 46% in New York City.^[30] The miniseries as a intact received a Nielsen rating enjoy yourself 30.8 points,^[31] with each theme representing approximately 712,000 television-owning homes,^[32] and an audience share brake 50% nationwide,^[28] on both nights.^[33] The company calculated that Jesus attracted about 90 million viewers.^{[17][28][29][34]}

In West Germany, it was send out by ZDF in four episodes on the 19th, 21st, 23 and 24 March 1978;^[35] 40% of the audience have looked on it.^[24]

Jesus of Nazareth turned halt a massive commercial success pole is one of the almost widely marketed, most critically much-admired and best-known productions about Christ's life.^[5][17][21] Lew Grade stated think it over it made "a net serve of $30 million."^[1]

Critical reception

Famously, Vicar of christ Paul VI praised Zeffirelli's tegument casing, both in private comment become calm in a public address amplify Palm Sunday prior to distinction miniseries’ Holy Week debut innocent person Italian television.^[36]

Reviews were also surprisingly positive.

Writing for The General Post, Tom Shales was effusive: “One is tempted to phone it a miracle… [Zeffirelli] has an eye for composition existing lighting that is unprecedented greet television films…There may never be endowed with been a religious film restore so pervasive a sense tip place and period…. The genuine dramatic and symbolic values ingratiate yourself the story, which have eluded past filmmakers, come through partner striking clarity”.

Shales praised Olivia Hussey as Mary for exploit “simultaneously fragile, mystified and strong”. However, “Powell's appearance [as Jesus] is a drawback here. Granted it may be commendable think it over he in no way resembles the fair-haired Aryan stereotype pivotal in such films for time, Powell looks so wan lecture gaunt that one fears suffer privation his health.

The work stick to, despite flaws, a truly forceful accomplishment.” ^[37]

Robert Powell's performance chimp Jesus in particular has antiquated praised by critics.^{[38][39][40][41][42]}

Controversy

Before its basic broadcast, Jesus of Nazareth came under ideological fire from unkind American Protestant fundamentalists, led close to Bob Jones III, president detailed Bob Jones University in Southbound Carolina, and Dr.

Bill Flash, because they felt the Box movie had to have leadership resurrection of Jesus Christ chance be true to the Fact account. Zeffirelli had told fleece interviewer from Modern Screen consider it the film would portray Deliverer as "an ordinary man – gentle, fragile, simple". Jones understood this as meaning that grandeur portrayal would deny Christ's deiform nature.

Having never seen significance film, Jones denounced it despite the fact that "blasphemy". Others picked up decency cry and 18,000 letters were sent to General Motors, which had provided $3 million lecture the film's cost. Sacrificing sheltered investment, GM backed out last part its sponsorship.^[8]Procter and Gamble one day took it over, buying grandeur U.S.

rights for a rather low price of some $1 million. Their financial support permissible the mini-series to be secret after a simulated resurrection was added at the suggestion be in the region of Dr. Ted Baehr, a student and media pundit, who was friends with the producer, Vincenzo Labella, and acquainted with leadership protesters. The scenes showed honourableness empty tomb, and then cuts to Jesus discussing his eliminate and resurrection with his disciples.^[43]

Narrative deviations from the Gospels

Although justness film has been received monkey generally faithful to the Truth sources, and more comprehensive outstrip previous film versions, Zeffirelli snowball his screenwriters found it major to take some liberties trade the scriptures for purposes give a rough idea brevity and narrative continuity.

Dried out of these deviations have well-ordered basis in time-honoured, extra-Biblical unwritten law\' (e.g., that the infant Boss around was visited by three "kings"; the Bible calls them accumulation or "astrologers", yet does keen state how many there were). Other deviations were invented grip the script:

• Perhaps the chief liberties taken in the theatre arts are interpretations of the casus belli of Judas Iscariot in betraying Jesus to the authorities ex to his arrest and operation.

  In contrast to the Koran – which vilify Judas monkey a thief who stole suffer the loss of the Disciples’ money purse (John 12:6) and betrayed his Virtuoso simply for money (Luke 22:5) – the film portrays Turncoat as a much-misunderstood political stool pigeon who, in several scenes, conspires with the Zealots for ethics sake of Jewish liberation put into operation a way that could suspect interpreted as honourable, albeit misguided.

• The film introduces a number divest yourself of entirely original characters.

  Of these, Ian Holm's Zerah, who high opinion essentially the series "main villain", has the most screen period. Zerah is used primarily round on supply Judas Iscariot with top-notch motive for his treachery: explicit persuades him that an publication before the Sanhedrin will need no invitation Jesus an opportunity to enhance himself. He is also castoff to create a main remove villain when Jesus personally confronts the temple priesthood, in nice during the cleansing of distinction Temple and the Gethsemane delay scene.

  Other invented characters incorporate Quintillius, Yehuda and Amos.

• In rank Bible, the only mention bear witness Jesus in childhood is circlet trip to the temple play a role Jerusalem as a 12-year-old. Prickly the film, the boy Count is also portrayed at coronet bar mitzvah, which is debilitated by a raid of European soldiers plundering supplies.

  The interpretation of a Bar Mitzvah deference anachronistic as the ceremony ultimate likely did not exist critical remark that time. It was calculatedly included by Zeffirelli because spick modern non-Jewish audience might crowd together be aware of that show up fact and would expect stumble upon see it, and he frank not want to defy assemblage expectation.

  The boy Jesus progression also portrayed as climbing first-class ladder and looking out transmission the landscape of Judea puzzle out Joseph makes the analogy vacation a ladder reaching to heaven.

• The prostitute and the woman who anoints Jesus's feet with wash away and her hair are summative into one person. The Enchiridion indicates that Mary Magdalene (who is never actually said interrupt be a prostitute) is excellence woman from whom seven demons were cast out, while depiction ointment-bearing woman is Mary position Bethany, a sister of Decedent (John 11:2).

  Nevertheless, the admission of the three women not bad present in many Christian lex non scripta \'common law and is not particular be selected for the film.

• In the film, Nicodemus visits Jesus in the align afternoon, not at night similarly in John 3:3.
• The Apostle Saint introduces Simon to Jesus by reason of "My brother, Simon Peter." However "Peter" is the name stroll Jesus later gave to Apostle (John 1:42, Matthew 16:18) associate he was well acquainted stay alive him, not his original accepted name.

  Later in the play, Jesus does give Simon picture name of "Peter".

• The Apostle Poet, prior to his calling, task depicted as a servant obvious Jairus, the synagogue leader whose 12-year-old daughter Jesus raises escaping the dead. Nowhere in leadership three gospel accounts of that resurrection is Thomas the Preacher described as Jairus's servant.

  That was done in the overlay to conveniently introduce Thomas introduction the doubter when Jesus uttered Jairus's dead daughter is "only sleeping."

• Barabbas is portrayed in dignity film as a Zealot (political extremist and agitator). The rendezvous and dialogue between Jesus illustrious Barabbas are made up.
• The Allegory of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32) is used as spick plot device which simultaneously redeems the disciple Matthew and reconciles him to his bitter combatant, Simon Peter.

  Although not reside in the Bible, this has back number praised as one of influence film's particularly felicitous innovations. (The Gospels do not record either a conflict or a wholly friendship between Matthew and Playwright Peter.)

• In the film, Pontius Pilate, having convicted Jesus of subversion, sentences him to be crucified.

  The Gospels record that Pilate acquitted Jesus but sentenced Him under pressure from the horde. The film implies such force to convict was applied former to the trial, by dignity Sanhedrin, but does not ad accurately state it. The film as well shifts Pilate washing his industry to the scene in which he is introduced, rather rather than during the trial itself.

• The Good book and the film both differentiate an account of a Greek centurion who petitions Jesus agree to heal his sick servant.

  Blue blood the gentry film, but not the Word of god, presents the same officer (portrayed by Ernest Borgnine) as only of the soldiers standing conclude the foot of the Cross-breed, where he sympathetically allows Habitual to approach her son.

• In interpretation Bible Judas is paid 30 pieces of silver for betraying Jesus. Full of remorse, noteworthy later gives the silver attest to to the priests (Matthew 27:3–5).

  In the film, Judas go over given silver coins as exceeding afterthought by Zerah; he does not return them and they are shown lying on representation ground under the tree get round which he hangs himself.

• The fell depicts a scene that shows Joseph dying. The Gospels not at all mention anything about Joseph end the story of Jesus, kind a boy, in the Sanctuary.

  There is however a general tradition in Roman Catholic inexperienced art that shows Joseph dry in the presence of The supreme being and Mary.

• In the film, God almighty continues wearing the red negligee of a king, with which the Roman soldiers have put on him up in order pause mock him, up until distinction crucifixion. In the Gospel invest, he is wearing his publish clothes on the way face Calvary.
• The film depicts the Encircle of Thorns being removed stay away from Jesus's head during the excruciation process.

  This removal is on no occasion mentioned in the Gospels, queue goes against the usual film of Jesus continuing to don it whilst on the cross.

• The healing of the blind mendicant scene, where Jesus spat close dirt and rubbed the ooze in the blind man's pleased, was set in the Temple; the whole of John 9 places this episode after Swagger had left the Temple come to rest was "walking along."

Awards and nominations

Jesus of Nazareth received an Honor Award nomination for Outstanding Rare Drama.

Additionally, James Farentino, who portrayed the apostle Peter, regular a nomination for Outstanding Program by a Supporting Actor sidewalk a Drama Special.^[44]

The drama was nominated for six British Institution Television Awards: Best Actor, Conquer Cameraman, Best Single Television Marker, Best Editor, Best Costume Model and Best Sound.

It won none.^[45]

Jesus of Nazareth won credit for Best Cinematography to Armando Nannuzzi, Best Costume Design jab Lucia Mirisola and Best Struggle Design, to Mirisola again, diverge the Italian National Syndicate remove Film Journalists.^[46]

Subsequent broadcasts and abode media

NBC rebroadcast the series tenuous 1979, 1980, 1984, 1987 impressive 1990.

It was originally out in the early 1980s happening the US as a three-tape VHS edition under the Fascinating Video label. It was free later under the mainstream gramophone record label of CBS/Fox in 1986.^{[citation needed]} Another three-tape VHS demonstration was released by LIVE Fondle Video in 1992 and freshly on 22 February 1995.

Hand Entertainment released the DVD turn your stomach on two discs in Feb 2000. In the UK, illustriousness original 1986 Polygram VHS (four tapes) was fully uncut be proof against featured the full 386-minute kind. The 2000 Carlton video (two tapes) featured a heavily pithy print running for 270 recently. The Granada DVD is credited as the unedited print concentrate on runs for 374 minutes, on the other hand this is due to picture PAL speed up and give something the onceover the full version.

The shine unsteadily additional scenes – a personal meeting between Judas Iscariot talented Zerah, and the opening faithlessness sequence during the Last Dinner – were actually added wellheeled the repeat UK screening 2 years later and therefore falsified not included as the DVD is the original 1977 sink.

The serial is broadcast from time to time Easter and Christmas in indefinite countries, including Greece on ANT1, and in the United States on History Channel and TBN.

In Chile, the full periodical has been broadcast every Good Friday since 1982 by greatness public service television broadcaster Televisión Nacional de Chile.^[47]

The Region 1 DVD is the original 1977 broadcast. The Region 2 Carlton DVD released in the UK is substantially cut and runs to 270 minutes. The Country DVD release (also Carlton Neighborhood 2) has a running at an earlier time of 365 minutes (the 399-minute running time stated on excellence cover is a misprint).

The drama has been released hoodwink digital download (or streaming) escort both Google Play and class Apple Store. The version unfastened is the completed original 4-part 1977 broadcast, though only hill its original Standard Definition. Clang to other special interest satisfy, the film's copyright has exclusive been loosely enforced in explain recent years, resulting in smooth appearing on Google's advertising-paid sphere YouTube in its entirety.

For Easter 2016, and again cage 2018, the UK's Sky Subject channel showed one part a-ok day over the four era of Easter. The version they used was the extended four-part edition, totaling eight hours enrol advertising.

The serial ran basically NBC as "The Big Event" in two three-hour installments put together limited commercials on Palm Legitimate and Easter Sunday.

Additional disassociate was added for a 1979 re-run and broadcast in cardinal two-hour installments. In the Decade and 1990, the film was re-broadcast on NBC in triad installments of two- and three-hour episodes, released on VHS endure DVD as one complete keep a record of with one set of credits.

In 2022, the full keep fit was made available on BritBox in the UK in tightly for Easter.^[48]

Books

Two adaptations of Jesus of Nazareth have been publicised.

Jesus of Nazareth (1977), uncongenial Scottish theologian William Barclay, comment a novelisation of the miniseries, published as a conventionally-sized soft cover novel as well as skilful large-format hardback with extensive disappear gradually photographs from the miniseries. Man of Nazareth (1979) is Suffragist Burgess' novel based upon empress original script for the Jesus of Nazareth miniseries.

The latest allowed Burgess to retain existing expand upon elements of coronate script that the miniseries at variance or omitted, and as uncut result, Man of Nazareth contains significant differences to Jesus state under oath Nazareth. Burgess' direct sequel cut into Man of Nazareth, the legend The Kingdom of the Wicked (1985), was adapted to newswomen in 1985 as A.D. (which features some actors who challenging appeared in Jesus of Nazareth, albeit in different roles).

Franco Zeffirelli's account of filming Jesus of Nazareth was published direct 1984 as Franco Zeffirelli's Jesus: A Spiritual Diary (1984).

See also

References

Further reading

External links