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The Greatest Story Ever Told main poster

The Greatest Story Ever Told

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6.4/10 • 202

1965-04-093h 19m

DramaHistory

Only once in a lifetime... an entertainment so rich... an experience so rewarding...

From his birth in Bethlehem to his death and eventual resurrection, the life of Jesus Christ 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; Christ's baptism by John the Baptist; and the betrayal by Judas after the Last Supper that eventually leads to Christ's crucifixion and miraculous return.

Directors
George Stevens
Editors
Argyle Nelson Jr.

Top Billed Cast

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  1. Max von Sydow

    Max von Sydow

    Jesus

  2. Michael Anderson Jr.

    Michael Anderson Jr.

    James the Younger

  3. Carroll Baker

    Carroll Baker

    Veronica

  4. Ina Balin

    Ina Balin

    Martha of Bethany

  5. Victor Buono

    Victor Buono

    Sorak

  6. Richard Conte

    Richard Conte

    Barabbas

  7. Joanna Dunham

    Joanna Dunham

    Mary Magdalene

  8. José Ferrer

    José Ferrer

    Herod Antipas

  9. Van Heflin

    Van Heflin

    Bar Amand

Reviews2

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John Chard Avatar

John Chard

Dec 5, 2015

7/10

Repent! Sue me, but I like it plenty, all 3 hours plus of ass numbing is not a problem to me. It has been called a cumbersome bore, amongst other things, but some of the technical craft is amazing. The story itself is enthralling, building to the shattering Crucifixion parts of the tale, while for every pointless star cameo shoehorned into the production, there's also a Savalas, a Baker and a Heston. Then of course there's Sydow, giving a beautifully intense turn as Jesus, a magnetic portrayal that holds the attention throughout. Ironically director George Stevens struggled with his own ills during production, a cross to bear as it were, but just as Jesus had Sidney Poitier to share the burden, so to did Stevens, who had David Lean to help carry the load. Now that's a deity if ever there was one. It's a gorgeous film, grand and epic, sensitive and astute. Flaws? Plenty for sure, yet it harks back to a time of blunderbuss epic film making, when story telling meant something, when a musical score rattled the ears and the heart, and when cinematography soothed the eyes as if cool lemon slices had been placed upon the optical nerves. Yeah, I'm a fan. If you are not then I forgive you, for you know not what you do. 7/10

Media

  • The Greatest Story Ever Told poster
  • The Greatest Story Ever Told poster
  • The Greatest Story Ever Told poster
  • The Greatest Story Ever Told poster
  • The Greatest Story Ever Told poster
  • The Greatest Story Ever Told poster
  • The Greatest Story Ever Told poster
  • The Greatest Story Ever Told poster
  • The Greatest Story Ever Told poster

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Status
Released
Original Language
English
Budget
$20,000,000.00
Revenue
$15,500,000.00
Keywords
epicchristianityreligion and supernaturalcrucifixionbiblebiographyresurrectionreligionreligious filmjesus christchristian film