O Rei dos Reis (1927)

Jesus Christ faces religious and political oppression during his ministry and in the days before his death and resurrection.

Director:

Cecil B. DeMille

Writer:

Jeanie Macpherson (story)

Stars:

H.B. Warner, Dorothy Cumming, Ernest Torrence

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
H.B. Warner	...	Jesus - the Christ
Dorothy Cumming	...	Mary - the Mother
Ernest Torrence	...	Peter
Joseph Schildkraut	...	Judas Iscariot
James Neill	...	James - Brother of John
Joseph Striker	...	John - the Beloved
Robert Edeson	...	Matthew - the Publican
Sidney D'Albrook	...	Thomas, the Doubter
David Imboden	...	Andrew - a Fisherman
Charles Belcher	...	Philip
Clayton Packard	...	Bartholomew
Robert Ellsworth	...	Simon - the Zealot
Charles Requa	...	James the Lesser
John T. Prince	...	Thaddeus
Jacqueline Logan	...	Mary Magdalene

Storyline

Mary Magdalene becomes angry when Judas, now a follower of Jesus, won't come to her feast. She goes to see Jesus and becomes repentant. From there the Bible story unfolds through the Crucifixion and Resurrection.

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Plot Keywords:

based on the bible | 1st century | miracle | religious sect | blind boy | 

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Taglines:

Most reverent and strikingly beautiful panorama of the tragedy of all ages--the world's greatest screen epic. A production acclaimed by world-famed scholars, press and public in this country and abroad, as the most ambitious presentation of the final years of the life of Jesus ever pictured on the screen. An epochal motion picture that will live forever in the hearts of mankind.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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Did You Know?

Trivia

Even though Dorothy Cumming was playing Jesus' mother Mary, She was actually 18 years younger than H.B. Warner who played Jesus.

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Goofs

When the blind girl gets pulled through the window, she is wearing modern underwear.

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Quotes

Mary Magdalene: [Speaking to herself] I am LUST! Hold me fast, Mary - my arms are the gates of life! I am GREED! I drain hearts, but I fill thy purse - let Him not destroy me! Keep me, Mary - I am PRIDE! Through me thou hast enslaved Kings! We are GLUTTONY-INDOLENCE-ENVY-ANGER! We teach thee to forget, and to hate, and to consume!

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Crazy Credits

In the original premiere version, there is no 'THE END' title. The film fades to black after the final scene of Jesus looming over a modern city with the title 'LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS' superimposed.

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Alternate Versions

The 1927 premiere version of "King of Kings," the first film shown at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, ran 155 minutes. The film was later cut to 112 minutes for general release.

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Connections

Referenced in The Making of 'It's a Wonderful Life' (1990)

User Reviews

The best Jesus movie ever!

What a masterpiece! Visually stunning and deeply moving, even for the non-religious. DeMille was at his best in the silent era, and I have never seen the story of Christ told so beautifully. With more than a passing nod to nineteenth century Biblical painting, DeMille recreates the last days of Jesus' life in painstaking detail. He takes some liberty with chronolgy, and there is his trademark combination of religious fervour and delicious decadence. But the passion and sincerity are so strong that I'll be surprised if you don't shed a tear once or twice. And Joseph Schildkraut is stunning as Judas.

Eye-popping sets and superb photography combine with huge crowds of extras and excellent costumes to create one of the great epic films. And dig that opening orgy scene involving a scantily clad Mary Magdalene, a couple of old men, a leopard and a hunky charioteer leading a team of zebra! Wow! The first shot of Jesus is also cinema magic, an unforgettable moment. This film is superb.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 March 1928 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

O Rei dos Reis

Filming Locations:

Culver Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

DeMille Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

160 min 112 min (1931 re-release) 155 min (DVD) (premiere)

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone System) (1931 reissue) Silent Silent (RCA Photophone System)

Color:

Black and White Color (2-strip Technicolor) (some sequences)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1