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The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)
 
© United Artists (1965)
SFC Reviewer's Opinion:
Limited Recommendation

Genre
Drama
   
Synopsis

This glorious epic is an inspiring, grand scale recreation of the life of Jesus of Nazareth, from His humble birth and teachings to His crucifixion and ultimate Resurrection.

   
Directed by  
George Stevens; David Lean (uncredited); Jean Negulesco (uncredited).
   
Written by  
Fulton Oursler (book); Henry Denker (source writings); James Lee Barrett (screenplay); George Stevens (screenplay); Carl Sandburg (uncredited).
   
Starring  
Max von Sydow (Jesus); Michael Anderson Jr. (James the Younger); Carroll Baker (Veronica); Ina Balin (Martha of Bethany); Pat Boone (Young Man at the Tomb); Victor Buono (Sorak); Richard Conte (Barabbas); Joanna Dunham (Mary Magdalene); José Ferrer (Herod Antipas); Van Heflin (Bar Amand); Charlton Heston (John the Baptist); Martin Landau (Caiaphas); Angela Lansbury (Claudia); Janet Margolin (Mary of Bethany); David McCallum (Judas Iscariot). Please contact SFC to add other cast members and characters.
 

Length (mins):
199
Ratings:
G (U)
Language:
ENG

Big 5 Oscar Wins:
0
Big 5 Oscar Noms:
0
IMDB page:
Link

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Important: the following essays and comments are authored by Soul Food Cinema readers. Whilst the Editor prays for the spiritual integrity of all content of this site, it should be noted that these represent personal opinions and carry no official endorsement. If you consider any content to be a misrepresentation of Catholic teaching, please contact SFC. May God bless you and enlighten you in your reading.
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Articles, Essays and Reviews
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Readers' Comments and Opinions
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Click the link to comment on this film. You may like to copy the film title and year (as given above) to your clipboard now for pasting into the following form.
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  Reverent but Wooden  
  Mark Banks (United Kingdom)  
  Opinion: Limited Recommendation  

The greatest story ever told the story of Christ may well be, but unfortunately this is certainly not the greatest presentation of the greatest story ever told. This film is a little strange on several accounts and for me is saved only by the reverence it gives to Jesus and the disciples - which is commendable. For starters, there are so many dark shots in the film - an unnecessary number of scenes are set during the night-time and an equally unnecessary number are shot inside dingy temples. Another strange aspect of the film was the highly disproportionate focus on John the Baptist, as well as King Herod and the other authorities; all at the expense of the core gospel parables and narrative. The screenwriter had clearly skipped over John 3:30: "he must increase, but I must decrease". On the plus side, the reverence given to Jesus is good; though unfortunately Max von Sydow gives one of the most wooden performances of any actor I have ever seen. There is also an interesting scene with Judas betraying Jesus - this, along with other scenes, were handled in an original way, with modified dialogue to the gospels, yet remaining faithful in spirit to the gospels and the overall messages conveyed. Overall, I have given this film a 'limited recommendation', though it is a highly limited recommendation for a film that perhaps only die-hard Bible film fans, and retired people with a lot of time on their hands, might be interested in watching.


 

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© Copyright Soul Food Cinema 2010. Terms of quotations and reproductions.
 
Soul Food Cinema - Movie/Film Reviews and Discussion from the World's Catholic-Christian Community
Images in the header are from: Antwone Fisher (© Fox Searchlight, 2002); Stand by Me (© Columbia Pictures, 1986); Jesus of Nazareth (© ITV (1977); The Passion of The Christ (© Newmarket Films, 2004); Rabbit-proof Fence (© Buena Vista, 2002); Amazing Grace (© Bristol Bay Productions, 2006) and Il Postino (© Cecchi Gori Group, 1994).