The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)
Only once in a lifetime... an entertainment so rich... an experience so rewarding...
Director: George Stevens · Writers: George Stevens, James Lee Barrett
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.
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Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
Google Play Movies
YouTube
Fandango At Home
Trailer
Director
George Stevens
Cast
Max von Sydow
Jesus 
Michael Anderson Jr.
James the Younger 
Carroll Baker
Veronica 
Ina Balin
Martha of Bethany 
Victor Buono
Sorak 
Richard Conte
Barabbas 
Joanna Dunham
Mary Magdalene 
José Ferrer
Herod Antipas 
Van Heflin
Bar Amand 
Charlton Heston
John the Baptist 
Martin Landau
Caiaphas 
Angela Lansbury
Claudia User Reviews (2)
*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, …
Max von Sydow is Jesus in George Steven's take on the "King of Kings" story and aside from a suitably effective contribution from José Ferrer as Herod Antipas, gives the only decent performance in this epically long, plodding, depiction of the life of Christ. Clearly money was spent - the photography is epic, as is Alfred Newman's score but a first-rate cast of Hollywood A-listers ought to have delivered better. Sadly, it is hampered by a static script - producing some seriously stultifying dialogue; authentic but murky lighting and a paucity of action that makes the film drag. Aside from a good, if brief, performance from Claude Rains as Herod the Great at the start, the acting is at best disjointed - too many people trying to impose themselves at the expense of any considered approach to the narrative. It may well be the greatest story ever written, but this is certainly not the best …
