This is one of the most interesting screen versions of the Gospels.
King of Kings (1961)
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Reviews Counted:14
Fresh:11
Rotten:3
Average Rating:6.2/10
Runtime: 3 hrs 50 mins
Genre: Religious
Synopsis: Nicholas Ray's lavish and beautifully constructed widescreen epic about the life of Jesus of Nazareth. "King of Kings" is built upon a series of narrative parallels and contrasts between Jesus... Nicholas Ray's lavish and beautifully constructed widescreen epic about the life of Jesus of Nazareth. "King of Kings" is built upon a series of narrative parallels and contrasts between Jesus and Barrabas. The film portrays the thief as a rebel leader of the Jewish resistance; unlike Jesus, who preaches a message of peace, Barrabas advocates violence as a means to an end. By building his drama around this religious and philosophical conflict, Ray establishes a tension that defamiliarizes this well-known story. Highlights include the Sermon on the Mount and the scene in which Salome asks King Herod for the head of John the Baptist. [More]
Starring: Jeffrey Hunter, Siobhan McKenna, Robert Ryan, Hurd Hatfield
Starring: Jeffrey Hunter, Siobhan McKenna, Robert Ryan, Hurd Hatfield, Viveca Lindfors, Harry Guardino, Rip Torn, Ron Randell
Director: Nicholas Ray
Director: Nicholas Ray
Producer: Samuel Bronston
Screenwriter: Philip Yordan
Composer: Miklos Rozsa
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Reviews for King of Kings
Jeffrey Hunter is less Saviour of the Christian faith and more anti-hero with many very human doubts and concerns.
This quirky 'Scope biblical spectacular is a lot more thoughtful and interesting than most.
Director Nicholas Ray has brooded long and wisely upon the meaning of his meanings, has planted plenty of symbols along the path, yet avoided the banalities of religious calendar art.
An epic of considerable scope, filled with broad vistas, yet there are enough intimate moments to give audience a chance to engage with the characters rather than just admire their pontificating.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 66% 66% | Public Enemies |
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 88% 88% | Inglourious Basterds |
| 78% 78% | The Hangover |
| 49% 49% | Taking Woodstock |
| 26% 26% | The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard |
| 47% 47% | The Girl From Monaco |
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