King of Kings (1961)

The life of Jesus Christ.

Director:

Nicholas Ray

Writer:

Philip Yordan (screenplay)

Stars:

Jeffrey Hunter, Siobhan McKenna, Hurd Hatfield

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

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

Storyline

The story of the life of Jesus Christ from his birth in Bethlehem to his crucifixion and subsequent resurrection. Filmed on a relatively grand scale, the film includes all of the major events referred to in the New Testament; his baptism by John the Baptist; the miracles - cripples walking, blind men seeing; the fishes and the loaves; and so on. The film actually begins with the Roman invasion by Pompey in 65 B.C., the appointment of King Herod the Great by the Romans and finally the crowning of Herod Antipas after he murders his father. The revolt led by Barrabas is also included and John the Baptist's beheading as Salome's price for dancing for Herod.

---

Plot Keywords:

king | king herod | crucifixion | baptism | resurrection | 

---

Taglines:

The most exciting human drama the screen has ever told. A story of the Christ, His life, His deeds, the inspiration of His spoken words.

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some violent content

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 October 1961 (USA)

Also Known As:

Samuel Bronston's Production King of Kings

Filming Locations:

Chinchón, Madrid, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

$5,037,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Samuel Bronston Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

168 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (35mm prints) 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints) (Westrex Recording System) Mono (35 mm prints) (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

---

Goofs

When the big ballista is used in the storming of the fortress, the wire guiding it is visible.

---

Quotes

Lucius: [after Jesus dies] He is truly the Christ!

---

Connections

Version of The King of Kings (1927)

User Reviews

It Still Delivers!

A recent screening of "King of Kings" at New York's Museum of Modern Art (Gramercy Theater) proved the durability of this production. A sizable group of people were prepared to titter or howl at what they thought would be another mindless Biblical epic -- instead, they were quickly absorbed and attentive to the film's virtues: its reverence, economy, visual beauty, and especially Jeffrey Hunter's quietly commanding Christ. Yes, this is still the good film based on the New Testament (with some subtle and searching script additions). Thanks still go to Nicholas Ray for his tactful, expert handling of a timeless story.