The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)
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- G
- 4h 20min
- Biography, Drama
- 09 Apr 1965 (UK)
- Movie
An all-star, large scale epic movie that chronicles the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
Director:
Writers:
Awards:
- Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Complete, Cast awaiting verification
Max von Sydow | ... |
Jesus
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Michael Anderson Jr. | ... |
James the Younger
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Carroll Baker | ... |
Veronica
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Ina Balin | ... |
Martha of Bethany
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Pat Boone | ... |
Angel at the Tomb
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Victor Buono | ... |
Sorak
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Richard Conte | ... |
Barabbas
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Joanna Dunham | ... |
Mary Magdalene
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José Ferrer | ... |
Herod Antipas
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Van Heflin | ... |
Bar Amand
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Charlton Heston | ... |
John the Baptist
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Martin Landau | ... |
Caiaphas
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Angela Lansbury | ... |
Claudia
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Janet Margolin | ... |
Mary of Bethany
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David McCallum | ... |
Judas Iscariot
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Roddy McDowall | ... |
Matthew
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Dorothy McGuire | ... |
The Virgin Mary
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Sal Mineo | ... |
Uriah
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Nehemiah Persoff | ... |
Shemiah
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Donald Pleasence | ... |
The Dark Hermit - Satan
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Sidney Poitier | ... |
Simon of Cyrene
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Claude Rains | ... |
King Herod
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Gary Raymond | ... |
Peter
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Telly Savalas | ... |
Pontius Pilate
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Joseph Schildkraut | ... |
Nicodemus
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Paul Stewart | ... |
Questor
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John Wayne | ... |
Centurion at Crucifixion
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Shelley Winters | ... |
Woman Who Is Healed
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Ed Wynn | ... |
Old Aram
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John Abbott | ... |
Aben
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Rodolfo Acosta | ... |
Captain of Lancers
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Michael Ansara | ... |
Herod's Commander
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Robert Blake | ... |
Simon the Zealot
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Burt Brinckerhoff | ... |
Andrew
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Robert Busch | ... |
Emissary
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John Considine | ... |
John
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Philip Coolidge | ... |
Chuza
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John Crawford | ... |
Alexander
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Frank DeKova | ... |
Tormentor
(as Frank de Kova)
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Cyril Delevanti | ... |
Melchior
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Jamie Farr | ... |
Thaddaeus
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David Hedison | ... |
Philip
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Russell Johnson | ... |
Scribe
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Mark Lenard | ... |
Balthazar
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Robert Loggia | ... |
Joseph
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John Lupton | ... |
Speaker of Capernaum
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Peter Mann | ... |
Nathanael
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Tom Reese | ... |
Thomas
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Marian Seldes | ... |
Herodias
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David Sheiner | ... |
James the Elder
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Frank Silvera | ... |
Gaspar
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Joseph Sirola | ... |
Dumah
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Abraham Sofaer | ... |
Joseph of Arimathaea
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Harold J. Stone | ... |
Gen. Varus
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Chet Stratton | ... |
Theophilus
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Michael Tolan | ... |
Lazarus
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Ron Whelan | ... |
Annas
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Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
Richard Bakalyan | ... |
Good Thief on Cross (uncredited)
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Nesdon Booth | ... |
(uncredited)
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Marc Cavell | ... |
Bad Thief on Cross (uncredited)
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Jay C. Flippen | ... |
Drunken Soldier - Herod Antipas' Court (uncredited)
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Kay Hammond | ... |
(uncredited)
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Dal Jenkins | ... |
Philip (uncredited)
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Kyle Johnson | ... |
Simon of Cyrene's Son (uncredited)
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Felix Locher | ... |
Elderly Man Who Touches Jesus (uncredited)
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Celia Lovsky | ... |
Woman Behind Railings (uncredited)
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Victor Lundin | ... |
Centurion Guard (uncredited)
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Leonard Mudie | ... |
Man (uncredited)
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Dorothy Neumann | ... |
(uncredited)
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Stacy Newton | ... |
Soldier (uncredited)
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Gil Perkins | ... |
Jacob of Bethlehem (uncredited)
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Joseph V. Perry | ... |
Archelaus (uncredited)
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Robert Perry | ... |
Guard (uncredited)
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John Pickard | ... |
Peter's Accuser #2 (uncredited)
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Frank Richards | ... |
(uncredited)
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Gene Roth | ... |
(uncredited)
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Johnny Seven | ... |
Pilate's Aide (uncredited)
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Mickey Simpson | ... |
Rabble-Rouser (uncredited)
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Norm Taylor | ... |
Roman Soldier at Crucifixion (uncredited)
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Randall Taylor | ... |
Male Baby Extra (uncredited)
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Renata Vanni | ... |
Weeping Woman (uncredited)
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Ronald Walkshorse | ... |
Male Child Extra (uncredited)
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David Ward | ... |
Spectator (uncredited)
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Peggy Webber | ... |
Woman praying at temple (uncredited)
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Michael Weldon | ... |
Young man in crowd (uncredited)
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Harry Wilson | ... |
(uncredited)
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Jimmy Yates | ... |
Herodian Guard (uncredited)
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Directed by
George Stevens |
Written by
Fulton Oursler | ... | (book) |
Henry Denker | ... | (source writings) |
James Lee Barrett | ... | (screenplay) and |
George Stevens | ... | (screenplay) |
Carl Sandburg | ... | (in creative association with) |
Produced by
Frank I. Davis | ... | executive producer |
George Stevens Jr. | ... | associate producer |
George Stevens | ... | producer |
Antonio Vellani | ... | associate producer |
Music by
Alfred Newman |
Cinematography by
Loyal Griggs | ... | director of photography |
William C. Mellor | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
Harold F. Kress | ||
Argyle Nelson Jr. | ||
J. Frank O'Neill | ... | (as Frank O'Neil) |
Editorial Department
Don Guidice | ... | assistant editor |
Hal Ashby | ... | assistant editor (uncredited) |
Eliot Elisofon | ... | color coordinator (uncredited) |
Casting By
Lynn Stalmaster |
Art Direction by
William J. Creber | ... | (as William Creber) |
Richard Day | ||
David S. Hall | ... | (as David Hall) |
Set Decoration by
Fred M. MacLean | ... | (as Fred MacLean) |
Ray Moyer | ||
Norman Rockett |
Costume Design by
Marjorie Best | ||
Vittorio Nino Novarese |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Paul Baxley | ... | second unit director |
Ridgeway Callow | ... | assistant director |
Wendell Franklin | ... | assistant director |
William Hale | ... | second unit director |
David S. Hall | ... | assistant director (as David Hall) |
Addison Schaumer Jr. | ... | assistant director |
George Stevens Jr. | ... | assistant director |
Richard Talmadge | ... | second unit director |
John Veitch | ... | assistant director |
David Lean | ... | second unit director: some interior scenes (uncredited) |
Jean Negulesco | ... | second unit director: nativity scene (uncredited) |
Art Department
Sam Gordon | ... | property master |
Sound Department
Franklin Milton | ... | recording supervisor |
William Steinkamp | ... | recording supervisor |
Charles E. Wallace | ... | sound |
William Steinkamp | ... | re-recording mixer (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
Johnny Borgese | ... | special effects |
Daniel Hays | ... | special effects (uncredited) |
Visual Effects by
A. Arnold Gillespie | ... | special visual effects |
Robert R. Hoag | ... | special visual effects |
J. McMillan Johnson | ... | special visual effects |
Clarence Slifer | ... | special visual effects |
Jan Domela | ... | matte painter (uncredited) |
Cliff Shirpser | ... | effects camera operator (uncredited) |
Albert Simpson | ... | matte painter (uncredited) |
Matthew Yuricich | ... | matte painter (uncredited) |
Stunts
Paul Baxley | ... | stunt coordinator |
Henry Wills | ... | stunt coordinator |
Carol Daniels | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
John Epper | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Bob Folkerson | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Jerry Gatlin | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Johnny Hagner | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Loren Janes | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Victor Paul | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Charlie Picerni | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Neil Summers | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Norm Taylor | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Bob Terhune | ... | stunt double: John Wayne (uncredited) |
Henry Wills | ... | stunts (uncredited) |
Camera and Electrical Department
R.B. Garig | ... | grip |
Michael A. Jones | ... | lighting technician |
Tom D. May | ... | key grip (as Tom May) |
Owen Marsh | ... | assistant camera (uncredited) |
Homer Plannette | ... | gaffer (uncredited) |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Diana Wilson | ... | costumer |
John Intlekofer | ... | costumer (uncredited) |
Music Department
Ken Darby | ... | choral supervisor |
Hugo Friedhofer | ... | additional music adaptation |
Jack Hayes | ... | orchestrator |
Leo Shuken | ... | orchestrator |
Fred Steiner | ... | additional music adaptation |
Ovadia Tuvia | ... | composer: special music |
Robert Russell Bennett | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
Richard Carruth | ... | music editor (uncredited) |
Leonard A. Engel | ... | music editor (uncredited) |
Hugo Friedhofer | ... | composer: additional music (uncredited) |
Louis Kaufman | ... | musician: violin (uncredited) |
Gus Levene | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
Bernard Mayers | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
Arthur Morton | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
Lyn Murray | ... | composer: additional music (uncredited) / vocal supervisor (uncredited) |
Alfred Newman | ... | conductor (uncredited) |
Herbert W. Spencer | ... | orchestrator (uncredited) |
Fred Steiner | ... | composer: additional music (uncredited) |
Sally Stevens | ... | singer (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
John Dutton | ... | script supervisor (as John C. Dutton) |
Transportation Department
Gene Clinesmith | ... | driver |
James E. Haynes | ... | driver |
Additional Crew
Ralph Helfer | ... | animal supervisor: Africa U.S.A. [us] |
Carl Sandburg | ... | creative associate |
Tony Van Renterghem | ... | director of research |
Wayne Cutlip | ... | animal handler (uncredited) |
Frank Lamping | ... | animal trainer (uncredited) |
Loretta Wade | ... | production accountant (uncredited) |
Production Companies
Distributors
- United Artists (1965) (United States) (theatrical) (released through)
- United Artists (1965) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1965) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Nova Film (1965) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1965) (Argentina) (theatrical) (as Artistas Unidos)
- United Artists (1965) (West Germany) (theatrical)
- United Artists (1965) (France) (theatrical)
- Kommunenes Filmcentral (KF) (1966) (Norway) (theatrical)
- National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1974) (United States) (tv)
- CBS/Fox (1984) (United States) (VHS)
- MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1986) (United States) (VHS)
- CBS/Fox (1986) (United States) (VHS) (double tape set)
- MGM Home Entertainment (1990) (United States) (VHS)
- MGM Home Entertainment (1991) (United States) (VHS)
- MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1991) (United States) (video) (Laserdisc)
- Warner Home Video (1991) (United States) (VHS)
- MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1992) (United States) (video) (LaserDisc)
- MGM/UA Home Entertainment (1996) (United States) (VHS) (pan/scan)
- Warner Home Video (1996) (United States) (VHS)
- Warner Home Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
- Chapel Distribution (1997) (Australia) (theatrical) (35mm print)
- MGM Home Entertainment (1997) (Australia) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1997) (Australia) (VHS)
- MGM Home Entertainment (1998) (United States) (VHS)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2001) (United States) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2001) (United States) (VHS)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2002) (United States) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (United States) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2005) (Germany) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (Brazil) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (Germany) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2007) (United States) (DVD)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2007) (Germany) (DVD) (special edition) (through Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment Germany)
- MGM Home Entertainment (2007) (United States) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2010) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2011) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment (2015) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (2020) (United States) (Blu-ray) (DVD) (reprint for MGM)
- Capelight Pictures (2024) (Germany) (Blu-ray)
- Capelight Pictures (2024) (Germany) (DVD)
- Pluto TV (2021) (United States) (video)
- Pluto TV (2023) (United States) (video)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- Africa U.S.A. (animals supplied by)
Storyline
Plot Summary |
"My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken Me?" It is towards this climactic crossroads that the story of Jesus of Nazareth leads, and to which, at the final moment, it again looks back in triumphant retrospect. It is the anguishing crossroads where the eternal questions of faith and doubt become resolved. Written by alfiehitchie |
Plot Keywords | |
Taglines | A Richly Rewarding Entertainment Experience for the Entire Family See more » |
Genres | |
Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
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Additional Details
Also Known As |
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Filming Locations |
Box Office
Budget | $20,000,000 (estimated) |
Cumulative Worldwide Gross | $5,000,000 |
Did You Know?
Trivia | Telly Savalas shaved his head bald for his role as Pontius Pilate; he kept it shaved for the rest of his life. See more » |
Goofs | Differences from the source material are not considered to be goofs, especially when relating to dramatic decisions. Many historical inaccuracies also get a pass, especially when caused by reliance on religious and/or artistic traditions. See more » |
Movie Connections | Edited into He Walks in Beauty: The George Stevens Production 'The Greatest Story Ever Told' (2001). See more » |
Soundtracks | Hallelujah Chorus See more » |
Quotes |
Jesus:
Do not weep for me; weep for yourselves, and for your children. For a time is coming when men will say "blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore a child." And they will say to the mountains "fall on us," and to the hills "cover us," for if these things are done when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry? See more » |