King of Kings (1961)

The temporary physical life of the Biblical Savior, Jesus Christ.

Director:

Nicholas Ray

Writer:

Philip Yordan (screenplay)

Stars:

Jeffrey Hunter, Siobhan McKenna, Hurd Hatfield

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win.

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.

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Plot Keywords:

john the baptist character | jesus christ character | mary of nazareth character | mary magdalene character | joseph of nazareth character | 

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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.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

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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:

Desierto de Tabernas, Almería, Andalucía, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

$5,037,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

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

Robert Ryan was keen to work with Nicholas Ray, but was more keen on the payday of $50,000 for just a week's work.

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Goofs

The killing of the newborns in Bethlehem is carried out by Roman soldiers. In reality the Roman Army had no units stationed in Judea until AD6, two years after Herod the Great's death (when it became a full province of the Roman Empire rather than a client kingdom). Instead, the massacre would have been carried out by Herod's own troops, who were a mixture of Jews, Samaritans and foreign mercenaries.

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Quotes

Narrator: For Jesus saw his own disciples doubt him. Awed by his miracles, faithful to him; yet, still they wondered why the Messiah could not raise up miraculous armies to strike Judea free. Could simple love and brotherhood be weapons against Rome?

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Connections

Version of The Passion of the Christ (2004)

User Reviews

A Well Done Biblical Movie.

This movie is so underrated. I think it's one of the best movies about Christ which was well played by Jeffery Hunter. There was also a great supporting cast that included Sobian McKenna, Robert Ryan and many others. Why this film

didn't get any attention at the 1961 Oscars, i'll never know. I would have given this film an Oscar Nomination for Miklos Rosza's music score which is one of his best scores ever. I think also the set designs were pretty good and worth of an Oscar nomination as well. The Cinematography was pretty good even though

there was better work at that time. I think this movie beats 1965's "The Greatest Story Ever Told" which went way too long and just wasn't as interesting as this one. Nicholas Ray did a great job with this one and this film deserved a lot more than it got.