 According to Ted Neeley (qv) and Norman Jewison (qv) on the DVD  commentary, the shepherd walking across the frame in the final shot  of the film was never intended to be there, and just happened across  the shot as they were filming. Because of the significance of a  shepherd in the teachings of Christ, Jewison and the crew were  struck profoundly by the timing of this shepherd crossing the field,  and kept the shot. They got a perfect sunset, as well as a subtle  depiction of the resurrection.