King of Kings
Added 9/22/2009
This film has received its unfair share of criticism over the decades. The MGM offering was snubbed at the Academy Awards. The only Golden Globe nomination was for the score. The acting talents of Jeffrey Hunter were unappreciated. The mockery continued when the film was taunted as "The Teenage Jesus."
The film related the familiar story of the birth of Jesus and the three years of his ministry leading to his crucifixion. It had as well the backstory of the times-the Roman occupation, the Jewish resistance fighters, a religious system steeped in tradition and ceremony, and the emergence of a new way of religious thought and practice.
Hungarian composer, Miklos Rozsa, created a score both classical and stirring to the soul. The Spanish cinematography by Manuel Berenguer, Franz Planer and Milton Krasner added the color of life to this two thousand year old story.
Orson Welles did the narration penned by Ray Bradbury. Robert Ryan gave a subtle yet powerful portrayal of John the Baptist, cousin of Jesus. John paid the ultimate price for preaching the truth-arrested, imprisoned, and beheaded.
The most underscored performance was given by Ron Randell as Lucius, the Roman Centurion. His presence from the beginning to the end added a continuity element. Lucius gradually became a believer in Jesus.
Of course, you have the assortment of men and women who were ruled by their passion and ambition-Pontius Pilate, Herod Antipas, Barabbas, Herodias, Salome, Judas Iscariot, and Caiaphas. These characters were tragic yet essential to what would unfold.
Going back to Jeffrey Hunter's performance, he brought a youth and vigor to Jesus which has lasted for the generation who saw this film as children. Perhaps, this was his greatest role- to play the teacher of Nazareth whose message of peace and love would eventually conquer the Roman World. We certainly could use that message today.
3 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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King of Kings (1961)-Great film, Great Musical Score and Great Memory!
Added 8/2/2009
I first saw King of Kings in 1961 when it first opened in New York. The title of my review sums up my initial feelings about this great old film. I recently purchased this film and decided to see it again and watched it on a large screen HDTV played through an upward compatible DVD player. It played beautifully and brought me back in time to 1961. Just great!
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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King of Kings
Added 6/24/2009
King of Kings is an excellent movie on the life and death and resurrection. This breezes by the birth of Christ and takes us through his ministry with his apostles. His Crucifixtion is quite dramatic and brings home the humbleness, love, and forgiveness.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Classic Easter Movie
Added 5/31/2009
I purchased this movie mainly because I was used to watching this on Turner Classic Movies every Easter. As far as I'm concerned it is the best of these old-school Jesus-biographical movies (excluding Passion of the Christ). King of Kings is not as intense as Passion of the Christ and I can watch this over and over. This is not so much as a review other than my personal choice.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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Regal service from this distributor
Added 5/4/2009
Regal service from this distributor for my purchase from them of the film, "King of Kings." Excellent product, speedy delivery..no complaints. Would order from them again.
Beautiful movie, excels in explaining the world Christ came into and its politics, and his Messianic ministry. Gorgeous music, photography, excellent acting all around, costumes...spiritually moving. Brought me much closer to Christ.
1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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King of Kings
Added 9/22/2009
This film has received its unfair share of criticism over the decades. The MGM offering was snubbed at the Academy Awards. The only Golden Globe nomination was for the score. The acting talents of Jeffrey Hunter were unappreciated. The mockery continued when the film was taunted as "The Teenage Jesus."
The film related the familiar story of the birth of Jesus and the three years of his ministry leading to his crucifixion. It had as well the backstory of the times-the Roman occupation, the Jewish resistance fighters, a religious system steeped in tradition and ceremony, and the emergence of a new way of religious thought and practice.
Hungarian composer, Miklos Rozsa, created a score both classical and stirring to the soul. The Spanish cinematography by Manuel Berenguer, Franz Planer and Milton Krasner added the color of life to this two thousand year old story.
Orson Welles did the narration penned by Ray Bradbury. Robert Ryan gave a subtle yet powerful portrayal of John the Baptist, cousin of Jesus. John paid the ultimate price for preaching the truth-arrested, imprisoned, and beheaded.
The most underscored performance was given by Ron Randell as Lucius, the Roman Centurion. His presence from the beginning to the end added a continuity element. Lucius gradually became a believer in Jesus.
Of course, you have the assortment of men and women who were ruled by their passion and ambition-Pontius Pilate, Herod Antipas, Barabbas, Herodias, Salome, Judas Iscariot, and Caiaphas. These characters were tragic yet essential to what would unfold.
Going back to Jeffrey Hunter's performance, he brought a youth and vigor to Jesus which has lasted for the generation who saw this film as children. Perhaps, this was his greatest role- to play the teacher of Nazareth whose message of peace and love would eventually conquer the Roman World. We certainly could use that message today.
3 out of 3 people found this helpful.
|
King of Kings (1961)-Great film, Great Musical Score and Great Memory!
Added 8/2/2009
I first saw King of Kings in 1961 when it first opened in New York. The title of my review sums up my initial feelings about this great old film. I recently purchased this film and decided to see it again and watched it on a large screen HDTV played through an upward compatible DVD player. It played beautifully and brought me back in time to 1961. Just great!
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
King of Kings
Added 6/24/2009
King of Kings is an excellent movie on the life and death and resurrection. This breezes by the birth of Christ and takes us through his ministry with his apostles. His Crucifixtion is quite dramatic and brings home the humbleness, love, and forgiveness.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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