Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysLGBTQ+ Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

The Silver Chalice

  • 19541954
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 2h 22m
IMDb RATING
4.6/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
Paul Newman, Pier Angeli, Jack Palance, and Virginia Mayo in The Silver Chalice (1954)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:54
1 Video
56 Photos
  • Drama
  • Romance
Paul Newman - in his screen debut - plays a 1st-century Greek sculptor who is sold into slavery.Paul Newman - in his screen debut - plays a 1st-century Greek sculptor who is sold into slavery.Paul Newman - in his screen debut - plays a 1st-century Greek sculptor who is sold into slavery.
IMDb RATING
4.6/10
1.6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Victor Saville
  • Writers
    • Thomas B. Costain(novel "The Silver Chalice")
    • Lesser Samuels(written for the screen by)
  • Stars
    • Virginia Mayo
    • Pier Angeli
    • Jack Palance
Top credits
  • Director
    • Victor Saville
  • Writers
    • Thomas B. Costain(novel "The Silver Chalice")
    • Lesser Samuels(written for the screen by)
  • Stars
    • Virginia Mayo
    • Pier Angeli
    • Jack Palance
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 53User reviews
    • 18Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Oscars
      • 1 win & 2 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Silver Chalice
    Trailer 2:54
    The Silver Chalice

    Photos56

    Paul Newman & Pier Angel in "The Silver Chalice." 1954 Warner Brothers
    Paul Newman in "The Silver Chalice." 1954 Warner Brothers
    Paul Newman with Pier Angeli in "The Silver Chalice." 1954 Warner Brothers
    Paul Newman in "The Silver Chalice," 1954 Warner
    Paul Newman in "The Silver Chalice," 1954 Warner
    "Silver Chalice, The" Paul Newman & Pier Angeli. 1954 Warner
    "Silver Chalice, The" Paul Newman. 1954 Warner
    1/2 sheet, 28 x 22
    Paul Newman and Virginia Mayo in The Silver Chalice (1954)
    Paul Newman and Virginia Mayo in The Silver Chalice (1954)
    Pier Angeli in The Silver Chalice (1954)
    Pier Angeli, Walter Hampden, and Alexander Scourby in The Silver Chalice (1954)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Virginia Mayo
    Virginia Mayo
    • Helenaas Helena
    Pier Angeli
    Pier Angeli
    • Deborraas Deborra
    Jack Palance
    Jack Palance
    • Simon The Magicianas Simon The Magician
    Paul Newman
    Paul Newman
    • Basilas Basil
    Walter Hampden
    Walter Hampden
    • Joseph of Arimatheaas Joseph of Arimathea
    Joseph Wiseman
    Joseph Wiseman
    • Mijaminas Mijamin
    Alexander Scourby
    Alexander Scourby
    • Lukeas Luke
    Lorne Greene
    Lorne Greene
    • Peteras Peter
    David J. Stewart
    David J. Stewart
    • Adamas Adam
    Herbert Rudley
    Herbert Rudley
    • Linusas Linus
    Jacques Aubuchon
    Jacques Aubuchon
    • Neroas Nero
    E.G. Marshall
    E.G. Marshall
    • Ignatiusas Ignatius
    Michael Pate
    Michael Pate
    • Aaron Ben Josephas Aaron Ben Joseph
    Natalie Wood
    Natalie Wood
    • Helena as a Girlas Helena as a Girl
    Peter Raynolds
    • Basil as a boyas Basil as a boy
    Mort Marshall
    Mort Marshall
    • Benjieas Benjie
    Booth Colman
    Booth Colman
    • Hiramas Hiram
    Terence de Marney
    Terence de Marney
    • Sostheneas Sosthene
    • Director
      • Victor Saville
    • Writers
      • Thomas B. Costain(novel "The Silver Chalice")
      • Lesser Samuels(written for the screen by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

    The Robe
    6.7
    The Robe
    San Francisco
    7.2
    San Francisco
    Barabbas
    6.9
    Barabbas
    Demetrius and the Gladiators
    6.6
    Demetrius and the Gladiators
    Hellfighters
    6.5
    Hellfighters
    Brannigan
    6.1
    Brannigan
    King Solomon's Mines
    6.8
    King Solomon's Mines
    Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice
    6.7
    Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice
    The Odd Couple
    7.9
    The Odd Couple
    The Rack
    6.8
    The Rack
    Quo Vadis
    7.1
    Quo Vadis
    Giant
    7.6
    Giant

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      James Dean was offered the role of Basil, the sculptor, but he and his agent thought the script was poor. Paul Newman, who was a finalist for the role of Cal Trask in East of Eden (1955) that eventually was played by Dean, and made him a star, took the role, which Newman later regretted. While shooting East of Eden (1955), Dean went over to visit Newman on the set of this film, where he met the love of his short life, Pier Angeli.
    • Goofs
      (at around 1 min) Basil and Deborra enter the set from behind the cut, painted, and layered scenery, completely spoiling the intended trompe l'oeil effect of rooftop domes.
    • Quotes

      Saint Peter: [last lines, Peter is speaking about the Silver Chalice to Basil and Deborra, and he utters his lines in the tone of a heroic speech] It will be restored, but for years and for hundreds of years, it will lie in darkness; where, I know not. When it is brought out into the light again there will be great cities, and mighty bridges and towers higher than the tower of Babel. It will be a world of evil and long bitter wars. In such a world as that the little cup will look very lonely. But it may be in that age when man holds lightning in his hands, and rides the sky as Simon the Magician strove to do it will be needed more than it is needed now.

    • Crazy credits
      and introducing Paul Newman
    • Connections
      Featured in American Masters: You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story (2008)

    User reviews53

    Review
    Top review
    4/10
    Paul Newman and the Holy Grail
    "The Bible" anthology orator Alexander Scourby (as Luke) chooses Greek sculptor Paul Newman (as Basil) to fashion "The Silver Chalice" that served at Jesus Christ's "Last Supper" with faces of the Lord Christ and some of his disciples. Looking tanned and handsome in Warner colors, Mr. Newman not only has trouble recreating the face of Jesus, but also choosing between bosomy Pagan-tilting Virginia Mayo (as Helena) and pretty Christian-leaning Pier Angeli (as Deborra). His cup runneth over...

    Unlike Newman, you'll have no trouble figuring out where his character and this story are going...

    Going up are Ms. Mayo's plucked and penciled eyebrows; going down is Jack Palance (as Simon) as the new Messiah. Don't be too quick with the fast-forward button, lest you miss Mr. Palance's fall from grace. Newman, who herein moved from TV dramatic guest to big screen star, was not proud of this film; and, it's easy to see why. It's a woefully misguided Biblical epic, with Newman not the least of its problems. The musical score by Franz Waxman is nicely done, especially during softer sequences.

    **** The Silver Chalice (12/17/54) Victor Saville ~ Paul Newman, Virginia Mayo, Pier Angeli, Jack Palance
    helpful•22
    6
    • wes-connors
    • Apr 4, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 20, 1954 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Basilus - Held von Rom
    • Filming locations
      • Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Victor Saville Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $4,500,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 22 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.55 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Paul Newman, Pier Angeli, Jack Palance, and Virginia Mayo in The Silver Chalice (1954)
    Top Gap
    By what name was The Silver Chalice (1954) officially released in Canada in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Best Movies Coming This Summer
    See the full list
    Image caption not available
    2:02
    LGBTQIA+ Movies and Shows to Watch This Summer
    Watch the video

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.