A RICHLY REWARDING EXPERIENCE FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY.

Perhaps a certain fatigue was setting in at the time of the premiere, only a few years after another Jesus epic, King of Kings (1961). This one was targeted by many critics, especially for its use of countless guest stars whose appearances become a distraction that only reminds us that we’re watching a Hollywood spectacle.

It does remain a handsome endeavor, technically impressive at times, with a solid Max von Sydow, who at the time was mostly known from Bergman films.

Traditional in many ways, but the American locations aren’t really an obstacle.

1965-U.S. 199 min. Color. Widescreen. Produced and directed by George Stevens. Screenplay: George Stevens, James Lee Barrett. Novel: Fulton Oursler, Henry Denker. Cinematography: Loyal Griggs, William C. Mellor. Music: Alfred Newman. Art Direction: Richard Day, William J. Creber, David S. Hall. Costume Design: Marjorie Best, Vittorio Nino Novarese. Cast: Max von Sydow (Jesus), Dorothy McGuire (The Virgin Mary), Charlton Heston (John the Baptist), Claude Rains, José Ferrer, Telly Savalas, Martin Landau, David McCallum… Donald Pleasence, Roddy McDowall, Sidney Poitier, Carroll Baker, Robert Blake, Pat Boone, Jamie Farr, Van Heflin, Angela Lansbury, Robert Loggia, Sal Mineo, John Wayne, Shelley Winters.

Trivia: The original running time was 260 minutes; several shortened versions exist. Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando and Spencer Tracy were considered for leading roles. Griggs replaced Mellor as cinematographer when the latter died during production. David Lean and Jean Negulesco directed a few scenes when Stevens started running behind on schedule.