"The Greatest Story Ever Told"

[Symphony]

I thought it was interesting to note the opinion here,

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/click/movie-1008921/reviews.php?critic=all&sortby=default&page=2&rid=8633

of this movie, saying that it is a "...a religious fairy tale...", and that Scorsese's
Last Temptation of Christ a "...better picture about the life of Jesus...", which, I believe, portrays Jesus as an adulterer/fornicator(?--I haven't seen it, and I DON't care to know).

And this, all on a supposedly "teen" movie review board...

Anyway,

Have you seen, ...Greatest Story...?    I thought I remembered it being rather a popular movie when it came out, in 1965.  Our family went to see it in the big city, and classmates were talking about it at school.

Would you be allowed to mention a postive portrayal of Jesus, at school now??

[Symphony]

Wow, this was five months ago.

Just now renting it, plan to watch a little this even.


Pontius Pilate is perFect.  Telli Sevalus(sp?) as Pilate.  He's the best Pilate I've seen.  He sits there, judging Jesus, eyeing the hypocritical crowd.  And he SEES the hypocrisy.  But all that moves are his eyes, darting, back and forth.

Very well done scene.

And the guy who plays Satan.  

An all-star cast--at that time.  John Wayne as the Roman soldier( ).  David McCallum as Judas.

Many very familiar faces, like from TV serials, at that time, amongst the disciples.

sincereheart--guess who plays Simon of Cyrene? (hint--To Sir With Love)


"...Greatest Story..." is a thoughtful piece.  It moves thoughtfully from scene to scene.

Nice, majestic, elevating music.  

Movie lovingly done, in places.

Martin Landau, as Caiphus, might have been a bit more convincing.

I like just meditating on it though.  I good film to relive some of the Gospel.

A "Max von Sydow" as Jesus.

   

[Symphony]

A POW of the Nazis himself, Donald Pleasence as the serpentine Dark Hermit(Satan)is perfect, his bald pate and hypnotic eye showing up methodically throughout the film, at his diabolical best on the mountain precipice, smoothly tempting Jesus with food and power.  Claude Rains as Herod, Jose Ferrer as Herod Antipas and even Telly Savalas as Pilate are memorable--Telly Savalas is my mental picture of Pontias Pilate.  Charleton Heston as the Baptist is almost convincing; Martin Landau as Caiaphas likewise.  Sydow's Jesus always finishes sentences wherever at all possible with gravelly "z's", lending authority but perhaps a little tiresome if you notice.  

With John Wayne in a few choice spots, it's definitely a period piece, but the opening, thoughtful score, and the reminder that the producer and director, George Stevens, had filmed at the liberated Dachau death camp in WWII, make it a thoughtful, poignant and definite worthwhile.

[sincereheart]

John Wayne?   I'm still trying to digest that one!

Ooh! And Sidney Poitier?  

Ok, I'll have to check to rent it. But they probably won't have it at either video store.... Which means you have me on another search...

The rotten tomatoes review has settled it! If they don't like it, then it must be good!