IMDb > King of Kings (1961)
King of Kings
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King of Kings (1961) More at IMDbPro »

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King of Kings (1961) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.0/10   1,874 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 1% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Philip Yordan (screenplay)
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Contact:
View company contact information for King of Kings on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
30 October 1961 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
A Story of The Christ. The Glory of His Spoken Words. more
Plot:
The life of Jesus Christ. full summary | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. more
NewsDesk:
Mel Gibson: Cinema Savior
 (From WENN. 7 August 2002)

User Comments:
Hunter Shines in Uneven Life of Christ Epic... more (75 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated PG-13 for some violent content. (2004 re-issue)
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:
Filming Locations:

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. more
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. more
Quotes:
Salome: [speaking of John the Baptist] His heart should be ripped from his body! more

FAQ

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36 out of 42 people found the following comment useful.
Hunter Shines in Uneven Life of Christ Epic..., 9 August 2003
8/10
Author: Ben Burgraff (cariart) from Las Vegas, Nevada

'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!

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Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for King of Kings (1961)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Why are these kinds of movies no longer shown on television?? Emmjewels
Who was the woman who wiped Jesus' forehead while he carried the cross? aircrftmec
why....??? homesick251960
Was the woman who was at the foot of the Cross Salome's mother? aircrftmec
Orson Welles... atlantean54
Has the DVD version been cut? RiskeyD
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