"The Living Christ Series" is considered to be the first "unofficial" television mini-series. All 12 episodes aired on NBC in 1951 and two years later its sequel TV movie "I Beheld His Glory" also aired on NBC. After its original airing, the series remained off of television until the late 1980's when local religious stations began airing the series. TBN aired all twelve episodes throughout the 1990's. The entire series is public domain and has been released numerous times on VHS and DVD.
Select scenes from the final three episodes would be interwoven into a 1953 made for TV film called "I Beheld His Glory".
The production is divided into 12 chapters. They are titled: (1) Holy Night (2) Escape to Egypt (3) Boyhood and Baptism (4) Men of the Wilderness (5) Challenge of Faith (6) Discipleship (7) Return to Nazareth (8) Conflict (9) Fate of John the Baptist (10) Retreat and Decision (11) Triumph and Defeat (12) Crucifixion and Resurrection.
This crucified Jesus is shown, as tradition has it, with the nails through his palms rather than wrists. The two thieves, however, are shown with outstretched arms tied to the crossbeam. This difference was done to carry out the tradition that Jesus' crucifixion was unique.
In the crucifixion scene Jesus is shown with his feet nailed separately rather than, as is often the case, with one foot placed atop the other.