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King of Kings (1961)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Release Date:
30 October 1961 (USA)
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Tagline:
A Story of The Christ. The Glory of His Spoken Words. more
Plot:
The life of Jesus Christ. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe.
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NewsDesk:
User Comments:
Hunter Shines in Uneven Life of Christ Epic...
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Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Jeffrey Hunter | ... | Jesus |
| Siobhan McKenna | ... | Mary |
| Hurd Hatfield | ... | Pontius Pilate |
| Ron Randell | ... | Lucius |
| Viveca Lindfors | ... | Claudia |
| Rita Gam | ... | Herodias |
| Carmen Sevilla | ... | Mary Magdalene |
| Brigid Bazlen | ... | Salome |
| Harry Guardino | ... | Barabbas |
 | Rip Torn | ... | Judas |
| Frank Thring | ... | Herod Antipas |
| Guy Rolfe | ... | Caiaphas |
| Royal Dano | ... | Peter |
 | Robert Ryan | ... | John The Baptist |
| Edric Connor | ... | Balthazar |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for some violent content. (2004 re-issue)
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
168 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
2.20 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
4-Track Stereo (35mm prints) |
70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) (Westrex Recording System) |
Mono (35 mm prints) (Westrex Recording System)
Certification:
USA:Approved (certificate #19712) |
West Germany:6 |
South Korea:All |
Australia:G |
Finland:S |
Sweden:15 |
UK:U |
USA:PG-13 (re-rating) (2004)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
The scenes between John the Baptist, Herod, Herodias, and Salome are supposedly based more on Oscar Wilde's play "Salome", than on the Bible, though Salome's grisly behavior as depicted by Wilde is not shown.
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Goofs:
Continuity: When Mary Magdelene is speaking with the Virgin Mary at the doorway, she changes position every time the camera angle changes. Every time the camera is at Magdelene's back looking into the house, she is leaning against the door frame but every time the camera is in the house facing Magdelene, she is suddenly standing straight.
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Family Guy: A Very Special Family Guy Freakin' Christmas (#3.16)" (2001)
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| The Greatest Story Ever Told | Ben-Hur | The Passion of the Christ | Life of Brian | The Nativity Story |
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'King of Kings' features Jeffrey Hunter's finest performance, as a young, dynamic Jesus of Nazareth, and his interpretation, open and earnest, is the best part of a movie both uneven and flawed.
Produced by many of the people responsible for 'Ben Hur', the film utilizes some of the same sets, actors (Frank Thring appears in major roles in both films), and composer (Miklos Rozsa, whose score for 'King of Kings' was one of his finest). The cast was fleshed out by respected actors (Robert Ryan is too old but charismatic as John the Baptist, Siobhan McKenna is a glowing, if also too old Mary, Brigid Bazlen, a deliciously wicked and oversexed Salome, Harry Guardino, an 'over-the-top' Barabbas, a VERY young Rip Torn scores as Judas). While the cast didn't have the 'star power' of 'Ben Hur', or many other Christian epics, the actors, by and large, perform credibly in their roles, particularly Hurd Hatfield and Viveca Lindfors, as Pilate and his wife, Claudia, and Ron Randell as Tribune Lucius.
The film was a MUCH less expensive project than 'Ben Hur'; the budget restraints show most glaringly in recreating Jesus' ministry (most of Christ's miracles are only referred to, not shown), and extras casting (non-professional Spanish townspeople, overdubbed with some truly RIPE dialog!).
The film works best when focusing on Jesus; unfortunately, it frequently veers off into distracting subplots about Barabbas and the zealots, and the decadence of Herod's court. These stories consume a LOT of screen time, and damage the overall impact of the film.
Yet rising above all this is Jeffrey Hunter's interpretation of the Savior. Easily the most audience-friendly of all the actors who have assailed the role, Hunter took a lot of flack for his 'matinee idol' good looks, and piercing blue eyes, but his kindness, sincerity, and the complete believability with which he delivers Christ's words overcome any qualms about his appearance. The Sermon on the Mount is a film high point, and magnificent; the Crucifixion and Resurrection have the kind of power that can bring a lump to your throat, even after repeated viewings.
While 'King of Kings' lacks the big names and budget of 'The Greatest Story Ever Told', or the emotional core of 'Jesus of Nazareth' or 'The Last Temptation of Christ', in Jeffrey Hunter, the film presents possibly the most compassionate of all screen Messiahs, and makes this film a very moving experience!