The Greatest Story Ever Told

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The Greatest Story Ever Told

G

1965

3h 15m

Holiday

History

Drama

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Popcornmeter

48%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

From his birth in Bethlehem to his death and eventual resurrection, the life of Jesus Christ (Max von Sydow) is given the all-star treatment in this epic retelling. Major aspects of Christ's life are touched upon, including the execution of all the newborn males in Egypt by King Herod (Claude Rains) ; Christ's baptism by John the Baptist (Charlton Heston) ; and the betrayal by Judas after the Last Supper that eventually leads to Christ's crucifixion and miraculous return.

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William J. Nazzaro

Arizona Republic

Aug 18, 2021

Many persons will want to see this film because it provides a pictorialization of their faith. In this, George Stevens has succeeded admirably.

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David Parkinson

Empire Magazine

Jun 20, 2019

The massive ensemble of stars and the attention to biblical detail makes this quite an undertaking... for the makers and the viewers. Long, strong and Jesusy.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Nov 13, 2007

The prophets should speak with respect of this $20 million Biblical epic.

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Judith Crist

New York Herald Tribune

Aug 15, 2022

We sit in lethargy because there are no insights, no illuminations, no fresh or even specific points of view to stimulate or satisfy the beliefs or disbeliefs we have brought to the film.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Apr 11, 2020

2/4

"Truly, this man was the son of God," John Wayne drawls, evoking his Western persona so strongly that you half-expect Walter Brennan to pop up alongside him as his sidekick, Gimpus Maximus.

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Loren King

Newport This Week (RI)

Apr 9, 2020

Despite its weaknesses, the three-and-one-half hour film, shot in the Ultra Panavision 70 process, offers some exquisite, rapturous cinematography and Alfred Newman's ethereal score.

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Ed B.

@EdLee Apr 5, 2026

The Greatest Story Ever Told, is a beautiful cinematic telling of the most Devine inspirational figure of all time in Jesus Christ. The movie is wonderfully acted , photographed , scored and directed. One of my favorites of the religious films.

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Nick E

@nicksmovies93 Jul 2, 2025

A unique take on the story of Jesus.

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Arnoldo P

@RT38565851 Apr 19, 2025

Forget the naysayers and those with attention-span deficit disorder, this is a marvelous, sensitive portrayal of the greatest story ever told, the Passion of the Christ. Yes, the movie is long, but the time is spent filling out not only the many characters involved, but the complex character of the times. Mercifully, there is a ten minute long intermission at the two-hour mark. Max Von Sydow gives a beautiful rendition of the pensive, understated Jesus, and Charlton Heston is a marvelously boisterous, irrepressible John the Baptist. The all of the greatest film and TV actors of the 60s are in this film, and that is reason enough to watch it. One of my favorite scenes is at the very end, when the centurion (yes, John Wayne!) sends the departed soul of Jesus off to heaven with a gravelly incantation. Don't miss this gem of a movie!

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Michael W

@Michael1946 Apr 11, 2025

I am rereading the Bible now and I stopped watching this movie at around 30 minutes into it. This is NOT the greatest story ever told. It is a mishmash of poor actors, things left out and things added that don't belong there. I can't recommend this to anyone. Watch it if you want to, but if you read the Bible, you will be sickened by its adding things that don't belong there and leaving out things that do. If you truly want the greatest story ever told then reach for the book that has it!

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The H

@RT70814552 Mar 9, 2025

Excellent film based on scientifically accurate Holy Bible ( round Earth 🌎, jet streams and the hydrologic cycle and much more). Te performances and direction are brilliant. Heston, of course, does not play but rather John the Baptist!

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Colin K T

@RT36327606 Feb 23, 2025

Not a bad telling of the tale, but an overlong telling. Too long by 2 hours

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George Stevens

Director

Max von Sydow

Jesus

Charlton Heston

John the Baptist

Carroll Baker

Veronica

Dorothy McGuire

The Virgin Mary

Robert Loggia

Joseph

The Greatest Story Ever Told: Official Clip - The Birth of Jesus Christ

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Synopsis

From his birth in Bethlehem to his death and eventual resurrection, the life of Jesus Christ (Max von Sydow) is given the all-star treatment in this epic retelling. Major aspects of Christ's life are touched upon, including the execution of all the newborn males in Egypt by King Herod (Claude Rains) ; Christ's baptism by John the Baptist (Charlton Heston) ; and the betrayal by Judas after the Last Supper that eventually leads to Christ's crucifixion and miraculous return.

Director: George Stevens
Producer: George Stevens
Screenwriter: James Lee Barrett, George Stevens
Production Co: George Stevens Productions
Rating: G
Genre: Holiday, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 3h 15m

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