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The Greatest Story Ever Told

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George Stevens

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Charlton Heston

John the Baptist

Carroll Baker

Dorothy McGuire

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The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)

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The Greatest Story Ever Told

The prophets should speak with respect of this $20 million Biblical epic. The Greatest Story Ever Told is the word made manifest. Producer-director George Stevens has elected to stick to the straight, literal, orthodox, familiar facts of the four gospels. He has scorned plot gimmicks and scanted on characterization quirks. What Stevens puts on view, overall, is panoramic cinema, cannily created backgrounds, especially the stupendous buttes of Utah.

By Variety Staff

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Stevens is not particularly original in his approach to the galaxy of talent, some 60 roles. Hollywood’s fad for cameo bits by featured players may suffer some discredit in the light of the triviality of footage and impact by such players as Carroll Baker, Pat Boone, Richard Conte, Ina Balin, Frank De Kova, Victor Buono, Marian Seldes, Paul Stewart. John Wayne is ill-at-ease and a waste of name, many may feel, as the captain of the soldiers who escort the Redeemer to the cross. Claude Rains is standout in the opening sequence [directed by David Lean] as the dying ruler of Judea.

Popular on Variety

Quite properly Stevens has focused on the birth, ministry, execution and resurrection of the Son of God. In the casting of Jesus there is occasion for compliment. The performance of the Swedish actor, Max von Sydow, and his English diction are ideal.

The Baptist (Charlton Heston) is the only out-and-out fanatic in the picture but this takes the form of roaring demands that Herod ‘repent’. Herod, in the remarkably curbed performance of Jose Ferrer, is no worse than a cynical administrative stooge for the Romans.

1965: Nominations: Best Color Cinematography, Color Costume Design, Color Art Direction, Original Music Score, Visual Effects

• Production: United Artists. Director George Stevens, [David Lean, Jean Negulesco]; Producer George Stevens; Screenplay George Stevens, James Lee Barrett; Camera William C. Mellor, Loyal Griggs; Editor Harold F. Kress, Argyle Nelson Jr, Frank O'Neill; Music Alfred Newman; Art Director Richard Day, William Creber
• Crew: (Color) Widescreen. Available on VHS, DVD. Extract of a review from 1965. Running time: 225 MIN.
• With: Max von Sydow Dorothy McGuire Robert Loggia Claude Rains Jose Ferrer Charlton Heston

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The Greatest Story Ever Told

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Brief Synopsis

Cast & crew, george stevens, max von sydow, dorothy mcguire, robert loggia, charlton heston, michael anderson jr., photos & videos, technical specs.

The life of Jesus Christ is depicted; highlights include: His birth in Bethlehem, Herod's decree ordering the slaughter of all male children in Bethlehem; the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt, Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist, the selection of the Twelve Apostles, the execution of John the Baptist, the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead, the expulsion of the moneylenders from the temple in Jerusalem, the Last Supper and subsequent betrayal by Judas, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection.

Robert Blake

Burt brinckerhoff, john considine, david hedison.

David Mccallum

Roddy Mcdowall

Gary raymond, david sheiner.

Janet Margolin

Michael tolan.

Sidney Poitier

Joanna dunham.

Carroll Baker

Shelley Winters

Telly Savalas

Angela Lansbury

Johnny seven.

Paul Stewart

Harold J. Stone

Martin Landau

Nehemiah Persoff

Joseph Schildkraut

Victor Buono

Robert busch, john crawford.

Russell Johnson

John Lupton

Abraham Sofaer

Chet stratton.

Jose Ferrer

Claude Rains

John Abbott

Rodolfo acosta.

Michael Ansara

Philip Coolidge

Dal jenkins, joseph perry, marian seldes.

Donald Pleasence

Richard Conte

Frank De Kova

Joseph sirola, cyril delevanti, mark lenard.

Frank Silvera

The inbal dance theatre of israel, del armstrong, nathan r. barragar, james lee barrett, marjorie best, ridgeway callow, william creber, frank i. davis, richard day, carmen dirigo, john dutton, eliot elisofon, a. arnold gillespie, ray gosnell, loyal griggs, william hale, robert r. hoag, j. mcmillan johnson, harold f. kress, lee lukather, fred maclean, william c. mellor, franklin milton, argyle nelson jr., alfred newman, vittorio nino novarese, frank o'neill, norman rockett, carl sandburg, clarence slifer, eric stacey, lynn stalmaster, william steinkamp, george stevens jr., richard talmadge, tony van renterghem, john veitch, antonio vellani, charles wallace, saul wurtzel.

Hosted Intro

Award Nominations

Best art direction, best cinematography, best costume design, best special effects.

Cinematographer William C. Mellor suffered a heart attack, collapsed and died on the set.

Telly Savalas shaved his head bald for his role as Pontius Pilate. He kept his head shaved for the rest of his life.

During filming the first snowstorm to strike Arizona in decades buried the whole set. Several hundred cast and crew members, including director George Stevens, went out with snow shovels, wheelbarrows, bulldozers, and butane flame throwers to clear the snow from the set. Just as they were done, it snowed again, even harder than before -- forcing the production to close and move to Desilu Studios in Hollywood.

Joanna Dunham, who played Mary Magdalene, became pregnant during filming. The director worked around this by shooting her from the chest up as much as possible, making her later scenes markedly unlike the earlier ones.

Director George Stevens originally hired 550 Navajos from a local reservation to be Roman legionnaires, but they couldn't stay on the set for very long and eventually went back home to participate in a tribal election. Stevens replaced them with ROTC cadets.

'David Lean' directed some scenes for 'George Stevens' who was bogged down with the production. He was between Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and _Dr. Zhivago (1965)_ and was not credited

Location scenes filmed in Glen Canyon, Utah. Presented in Cinerama for roadshow engagements. For the final release version the roles of Shelley Winters and John Wayne, among others, were reduced or eliminated.

Miscellaneous Notes

Released in United States Winter February 15, 1965

Released in United States on Video March 6, 2001

Released in United States April 1981

aspect ratio 2.75:1

Released in United States April 1981 (Shown at FILMEX: Los Angeles International Film Exposition (Easter Special) April 2-23, 1981.)

Voted One of the Year's Ten Best Films by the 1965 National Board of Review.

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The Greatest Story Ever Told Review

15 Feb 1965

190 minutes

Greatest Story Ever Told , The

Fulton Oursler's 1949 novel had already been adapted for the radio by Henry Denker by the time Fox paid $100,000 for the rights in the hope that screenwriter Philip Dunne would repeat his success with David and Bathsheba  (1951), The Robe (1953), Demetrius and the Gladiator and  The Egyptian (both 1954). However, Dunne had had enough of antiquarian epics and the project passed to United Artists, who paid George Stevens $1 million to produce, direct and co-script (with James Lee Barrett) a New Testament spectacular to surpass MGM's King of Kings.

    Shooting in Ultra-Panavision 70 and Technicolor on location in Utah and Arizona, Stevens made sure all of his $20 million budget appeared on the screen. But, while the Oscar-nominated efforts of cinematographers William C. Mellor and Loyal Griggs, art director Robert Day, costumer Vittorio Nino Novarese and SFX supervisor Joseph McMillan Johnson added to the scope and scale of the piece, the film was as pompous and portentous as Alfred Newman's glutinous score.

    Such was his perfectionism that Stevens squeezed the life out of his story and even after it had been cut down from 260 minutes to 238, 197 and, finally, 190 minutes, time still hung heavy as Stevens found something for his endless roster of guest stars to do. It made box-office sense to cast Charlton Heston as John the Baptist, Sidney Poitier as Simon of Cyrene and Carroll Baker as Veronica. But Angela Lansbury, Shelley Winters and Van Heflin found themselves playing completely fictitious characters who only prolonged the agony (which was ultimately compounded by John Wayne's immortally awful delivery of the line `Truly this man was the Son of God', as the centurion at the foot of the Cross).

     Max von Sydow brought some Bergmanesque intensity and mysticism to the role of Christ and Claude Rains (Herod), Telly Savalas and José Ferrer made hissable adversaries. But nothing could prevent the picture's commercial calamity - although it eventually found an audience in church halls and schools.

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The greatest story ever told blu-ray review.

The Greatest Mess Ever Retold?

Timing is everything. Unfortunately for director George Stevens, 1965 was rather miserable timing for a Biblical epic; the public had their fill of Biblical epics in the previous decade including the classic The Ten Commandments . America was also undergoing major social change and the last thing it wanted was a preachy 3-hour drama about Jesus of Nazareth, so it makes one wonder why a studio would commit $20 million to The Greatest Story Ever Told (which lost money) -- but eventually earned 5 Oscar nominations.

Max Von Sydow ( The Exorcist , Minority Report) was cast as Jesus of Nazareth, and while Von Sydow has always been a very fine actor (he was even good in Flash Gordon and Strange Brew ), he was just an odd choice for the "role" of roles. He may have looked the part (it is all in the eyes), but his voice gave it away and tossed it all in the Sea of Galilee. The film also suffered from a lack of emotion; which was rather odd considering the subject matter. Everything just felt flat.

Stevens also took a risk by loading the film up with every major star that he could find; a majority were cameo appearances, including John Wayne, Shelley Winters, and Sidney Poitier. John Wayne's portrayal of a Roman Centurion present at the Crucifixion was so ridiculous that it demeaned the entire sequence of the film; arguably the most important part of the film. The dialogue was also rather campy and out of place for the period.

What could have been the greatest film about Jesus, turned into the Poseidon Adventure of Biblical tales and it's hard to redeem yourself when you make a film about the son of G-d that leaves true believers sleeping in their seats.

The Picture

The film has a significant number of dark scenes and while black levels are okay, there is a noticeable level of crush present in some scenes. Colors fare far better and have a nice saturated look to them. There is a lot of detail present in this film and for the most part it looks quite clear. When the camera pulls back, however, you start to notice a lack of focus and clarity. My biggest concern with the transfer is that it's rife with artifacts and moire which can be quite distracting. Overall, the transfer looks quite soft and is less than reference quality; compared to The Ten Commandments which looks utterly fantastic.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix is a significant improvement over the DVD; Alfred Newman's score is just incredibly haunting and gorgeous to listen to. Dialogue sounds very clear, but you can tell which scenes were dubbed (I'd guess a lot of them). There isn't a lot of rear channel information, but what exists does add to the overall ambience of the score; mostly the music and some crowd reactions. LFE is all but non-existent -- except for the ascent into Heaven (although I can't tell if G-d was pissed at the Romans or the studio executives for making the movie) which has some floor rattling thunderclaps. It's not a bad mix at all.

The bonus content features two featurettes that offer some insight into Stevens (the commentary is offered by Charlton Heston, Shelley Winters, and others) and the location of the filmmaking. Unlike The Ten Commandments which utilized Egypt for some of the cinematography, the film was shot in Arizona and the 27-minute featurette has some great behind the scenes footage.

There is also a deleted version of the Via Dolorosa segment which was subsequently used for promotional purposes. MGM has also included the original theatrical trailer in HD.

Final Thoughts

In the panthenon of Biblical cinema, The Greatest Story Ever Told is certainly one of the "must-see" films, but does it really hold a candle to The King of Kings , The Ten Commandments , or even Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ which elicited a far more passionate response from audiences around the globe? The plethora of camero appearances diminish Von Sydow's performance and the Blu-ray transfer is not exactly blemish free, so this one is for true believers only.

Where to Buy:

• The Greatest Story Ever Told on Amazon.com

Product Details

• Director: George Stevens
• Actors: Max Von Sydow, Michael Anderson Jr., Ina Balin, John Wayne, Claude Rains, Angela Lansbury
• Video Resolution: 1080p
• Video Codec: MPEG-4 AVC
• Aspect Ratio: 2.75:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0, German DTS 5.1
• Region: A, B
• Studio: MGM
• DVD Release Date: March 29, 2011
• Running Time: 199 minutes
• MSRP: $19.99
• He Walks in Beauty (SD) featurette
• Filmmaker (SD) featurette
• Deleted Scene
• Theatrical Trailer
• The Greatest Story Ever Told Blu-ray (Amazon.com)

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49 Facts About The Movie The Greatest Story Ever Told

Written by Sibeal Lesher

Modified & Updated: 19 May 2024

Reviewed by Sherman Smith

The Greatest Story Ever Told is a timeless cinematic masterpiece that has captivated audiences since its release. Directed by George Stevens, this epic film tells the story of Jesus Christ, from His birth to His crucifixion and resurrection. It showcases a star-studded cast, stunning cinematography, and a compelling narrative that explores the profound impact Jesus had on the world. In this article, we will delve into 49 fascinating facts about The Greatest Story Ever Told, shedding light on its production, cast and crew, historical accuracy, and the lasting legacy it has left on the world of cinema. Whether you are a devoted fan of the film or simply intrigued by its subject matter , this article will take you on a journey behind-the-scenes of one of the greatest religious epics ever created.

Key Takeaways:

• “The Greatest Story Ever Told” is a star-studded, visually stunning epic that captures the timeless message of love, faith, and sacrifice, resonating with audiences of all backgrounds.”
• “The film’s meticulous attention to historical accuracy, captivating performances, and powerful storytelling make it a timeless classic that continues to inspire and resonate with audiences today.”

The Greatest Cast Ever Assembled

The film “The Greatest Story Ever Told” boasts an ensemble cast of legendary actors, including Max von Sydow, Charlton Heston, Sidney Poitier, and John Wayne.

Directed by George Stevens

The movie was directed by George Stevens, a renowned filmmaker known for his epic storytelling and meticulous attention to detail.

Epic in Scope

The Greatest Story Ever Told” is a sprawling epic that spans the life of Jesus Christ, from his birth to his resurrection .

Released in 1965

The film was released in 1965, becoming one of the most highly anticipated and talked-about movies of its time.

A Star-Studded Soundtrack

The movie features a memorable score composed by Alfred Newman, which perfectly complements the grandeur and emotional depth of the story.

Inspired by a Book

The screenplay for the film was adapted from the book “The Greatest Story Ever Told” written by Fulton Oursler.

Filmed in Several Locations

The production of the movie took place in various locations, including Arizona, California, and Utah, to capture the authenticity of the biblical settings.

Emphasis on Historical Accuracy

The filmmakers went to great lengths to ensure historical accuracy, consulting scholars and religious experts to recreate the time and place of Jesus’ life.

Multi-Narrative Structure

“The Greatest Story Ever Told” weaves together multiple storylines, showcasing the perspectives of different characters who encountered Jesus during his journey.

A Cinematic Spectacle

The movie is known for its visually stunning sequences, featuring breathtaking landscapes, detailed costumes, and elaborate set designs.

An Oscar-Nominated Film

The Greatest Story Ever Told” received five Oscar nominations , including Best Art Direction and Best Original Score.

Religious Controversy

The film generated controversy among religious groups, with some applauding its depiction of biblical events and others criticizing certain artistic liberties taken in the adaptation.

International Appeal

The movie garnered international attention and was released in various countries, contributing to its widespread popularity.

The Longest Passion Play

“The Greatest Story Ever Told” holds the distinction of featuring the longest passion play ever produced for the big screen, lasting over three hours.

An Inspirational Film

The movie aims to inspire viewers with its timeless message of love, faith, and sacrifice, resonating with audiences of all backgrounds.

Positive Critical Reception

Despite the initial controversies, the film received positive reviews from many critics, praising its ambitious scope and powerful performances.

Iconic Portrayal of Jesus Christ

Max von Sydow’s portrayal of Jesus Christ in the movie has become iconic, capturing the compassion, wisdom, and profound spirituality associated with the figure.

Original Score by Alfred Newman

Alfred Newman composed the film’s score, creating a timeless and emotionally resonant soundtrack that elevates the storytelling.

Groundbreaking Special Effects

The film utilized groundbreaking special effects techniques for its time, incorporating stunning visuals to depict miracles and divine interventions.

Environmental Challenges

The production faced numerous environmental challenges, including extreme temperatures and difficult terrain, while filming in remote locations.

Historical and Cultural Accuracy

The filmmakers paid meticulous attention to historical and cultural accuracy, consulting archaeological experts to recreate the settings and costumes authentically.

A Reverential Adaptation

“The Greatest Story Ever Told” is widely regarded as a reverential adaptation of the biblical narrative, staying true to its spiritual essence.

The Legacy Continues

The impact of the film’s storytelling and visual grandeur can still be seen in subsequent biblical epic productions and movies inspired by religious themes.

Grand Scale Production

The film’s production utilized a massive crew, extravagant sets, and thousands of extras to create an authentic and immersive biblical world.

Intertwining Storylines

“The Greatest Story Ever Told” intertwines different storylines from the Bible, showcasing the interconnectedness of life and faith.

Captivating Performances

The movie features captivating performances from its stellar cast, immersing audiences in the emotional journey of the characters.

Emotionally Charged Scenes

The film is marked by emotionally charged moments, including the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection, which resonate with viewers on a deep level.

Exquisitely Designed Costumes

The film’s costumes were meticulously designed to reflect the fashion of the era, showcasing the richness and diversity of the biblical culture.

A Story of Redemption

“The Greatest Story Ever Told” explores the theme of redemption, emphasizing the transformative power of faith and forgiveness.

Jaw-Dropping Set Pieces

The film features jaw-dropping set pieces, including the elaborate Temple of Jerusalem, bringing biblical settings to life with stunning detail.

Historical Accuracy through Research

The filmmakers extensively researched the historical context of the biblical narrative, ensuring that the film accurately reflects the time and place of Jesus’ life.

A Spiritual Journey

The movie takes viewers on a profound spiritual journey, delving into the teachings and miracles of Jesus while emphasizing the importance of compassion and love.

Universal Themes

Despite its religious themes, “The Greatest Story Ever Told” explores universal themes of hope, self-sacrifice , and the power of belief.

Breathtaking Cinematography

The film’s cinematography captures the grandeur of the biblical landscapes, framing each scene with meticulous attention to detail and lighting.

Religious Advisers

The production worked closely with religious advisers to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of the film’s portrayal of biblical events and teachings.

Inspiring Visual Effects

The visual effects used in the film contribute to the portrayal of miracles and divine interventions , leaving a lasting impact on audiences.

Message of Hope

“The Greatest Story Ever Told” conveys a powerful message of hope, reminding us of the enduring significance of faith and the potential for spiritual redemption.

International Box Office Success

The film achieved international box office success, reaching audiences around the world and solidifying its place in cinematic history.

Powerful Storytelling

The movie’s compelling storytelling and powerful performances make it a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences today.

Revered by Film Critics

“The Greatest Story Ever Told” is hailed by film critics for its ambitious scope, powerful direction, and its ability to convey the depth and significance of the biblical narrative.

Controversial Casting Choices

The casting of several non-Christian actors in pivotal roles sparked controversy, but their performances were highly acclaimed for their dedication and authenticity.

Emotional Impact

The film elicits a strong emotional response from audiences, immersing them in the story and allowing them to connect with the characters on a profound level.

Preservation of Religious Texts

“The Greatest Story Ever Told” highlights the importance of preserving and understanding religious texts, emphasizing the enduring relevance of their teachings.

Symbolism and Allegory

The movie incorporates symbolism and allegory to enhance the deeper meaning behind the biblical narrative, adding layers of interpretation and reflection.

Historical Context

The film provides a glimpse into the social, political, and religious climate of the time, offering viewers a deeper understanding of the events surrounding Jesus’ life.

Memorable Dialogue

“The Greatest Story Ever Told” features poignant and memorable dialogue, capturing the essence of the characters’ convictions and inner struggles.

A Lyrical Masterpiece

The film’s lyrical and poetic moments contribute to its artistic brilliance, evoking a sense of wonder and awe.

Film Restoration

In recent years, efforts have been made to restore and preserve the film, ensuring its availability for future generations to appreciate its significance.

Enduring Impact

“The Greatest Story Ever Told” continues to inspire and resonate with audiences, reminding us of the power of faith, love, and the potential for spiritual transformation.

The movie “The Greatest Story Ever Told” is a timeless cinematic masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences with its epic portrayal of the life of Jesus Christ. Through its stunning visuals, captivating storytelling, and powerful performances, the film brings to life the extraordinary events and teachings that have shaped the course of human history.

With its meticulously crafted set designs, breathtaking cinematography, and a stellar ensemble cast, “The Greatest Story Ever Told” stands as a testament to the enduring power and universal appeal of one of the most influential figures in human history.

Whether you are watching it for the first time or revisiting it as a cherished classic, this film is a must-watch for any cinephile or anyone seeking a profound and moving cinematic experience.

Q: Who directed “The Greatest Story Ever Told”?

A: The movie was directed by George Stevens, a highly acclaimed filmmaker known for his works such as “Giant” and “Shane.”

Q: When was the movie released?

A: “The Greatest Story Ever Told” was released on February 15, 1965.

Q: How long is the movie?

A: The runtime of the film is approximately 3 hours and 19 minutes.

Q: Is the movie based on a true story?

A: Yes, the movie is based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ as depicted in the New Testament of the Bible.

Q: How was the movie received by critics?

A: The movie received mixed reviews from critics upon its initial release but has gained a reputation as a visually stunning and ambitious historical epic over the years.

Q: Who are some of the notable actors in the movie?

A: “The Greatest Story Ever Told” boasts an impressive cast that includes Max von Sydow, Charlton Heston, Telly Savalas, Angela Lansbury , and John Wayne, among others.

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The Greatest Story Ever Told Parent Guide

One of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken; The Greatest Story Ever Told is George Stevens' attempt to bring the New Testament to the silver screen. The accuracy of his interpretation of the life of Christ will always be subject to the eye of the beholder, but his reverence for the subject should be obvious to all.

Release date May 1, 2009

Run Time: 199 minutes

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The guide to our grades, parent movie review by donna gustafson.

Who is Jesus Christ? A mere man? A great teacher? The promised Messiah? Whatever your answer, He is significant enough that His birth divides our recording of time.

To filmmaker George Stevens, the account of Christ’s life as found in the New Testament was The Greatest Story Ever Told. So, after extensive research and a trip to The Holy Land, this producer/director took his personal passion for the subject and set out “Simply to do the story of Jesus,” with “no interruption for theatrical embroideries.”

Yet Stevens’ reverent intentions cannot be questioned. Taking inspiration from the paintings and music of such masters as da Vinci (The Last Supper) and Handel (The Messiah), he carefully crafts this Ultra Wide film using the silver screen as canvas. The grandeur of his cinematic art is evident in his ability to compose each scene emphasizing the message with dramatic vistas and geological features (which he found in the American Southwest, not the Middle East).

The lavishly budgeted epic drew enthusiasm from many of Hollywood’s biggest stars, who wished to be associated with the picture in any way. Movie buffs may enjoy identifying their cameo appearances in what might be more aptly called, The Greatest Cast Call Ever Filmed. Wanting to avoid preconceived character identification, Stevens choose a then unknown actor (Max von Sydow) to play the lead, and used his anonymity to provided increased curiosity over the production.

Despite all the attention, The Greatest Story Ever Told did not receive the critical acclaim Stevens had hoped for. What was its fatal flaw? In an interview included on the DVD release, Charlton Heston, who played John the Baptist, points out that everyone has an opinion of who Christ is, and what place he holds in history. “No one can fulfill all those deeply held convictions.” Max von Sydow adds that people are sure to be offended by any portrayal that doesn’t match their own, sighting having to choose between the Catholic or Protestant version of the Lord’s Prayer as an example.

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Donna Gustafson

The greatest story ever told rating & content info.

Why is The Greatest Story Ever Told rated G? The Greatest Story Ever Told is rated G by the MPAA

Overall: B A beautifully shot, epic picture that may or may not capture your understanding of the life and personality of Jesus Christ. Depictions of violence are sobering, but not gratuitous.

Violence: C+ King decrees death of infants. Guards with spears and drawn swords charge villagers. Several scenes show dead bodies strewn on ground. Mobsters yell protests. Soldiers rough handle prisoners. Men in chains. Many depictions of crucifixions. Beggars mistreated. Slaves branded, whipped and beaten with fists. Woman forcefully pushed into building. Animals killed for sacrifice. Men exchange verbal threats. Governor orders execution. Man struggles to resist arrest. Two instances when Soldier strikes a man in the face with his hand. Man chained in prison. Man holds sword to another mans throat. Woman accused of adultery dragged from tent and knocked to ground. Crowd threatens to stone woman. Man in executioner mask with sword leads away a prisoner. Sound of ax falling is heard. Nude Roman statues shown in background. Man throws a stone and hits another. Jesus knocks over tables, frees animals and threatens merchants with whip. Soldiers with swords advance on mob. Man accepts bribe. Man draws sword for protection. Mob demands Jesus be crucified. A sentence for whipping is given but not depicted. Blood shown on hand, face and clothes. Nail placed on palm, hammer is raised, and sound of it pounding id heard. Man throws himself in fire. Wounded hands shown.

Sexual Content: B+ Two female characters behave seductively, one dances. Other dancing women shown in silhouette.

Language: A Terms of Deity are used as proper nouns.

Alcohol / Drug Use: B+ Wine drunk at last supper. Men at gathering portrayed as drinking or inebriated.

Page last updated July 17, 2017

The Greatest Story Ever Told Parents' Guide

This film assumes its audience is familiar with the New Testament (for instance, no explanation is given for Pilot washing his hands after sentencing Christ). At the time it was produced, Bible stories were read in schools, and a greater percentage of the population attended church regularly. Do you think the general public knew more about Jesus in 1965 than they do today?

To explain the impact artistic interpretation can have on what is communicated, your family might have fun trying out the following exercise: Read the two identical sentences, changing only the inflection, by placing emphasis on the underlined word. 1) Let’s eat Mom, I’m hungry. 2) Let’s eat Mom , I’m hungry.

If you’re interested in another film with an Easter theme, check our review of The Robe —the story of a Roman centurion assigned to oversee the crucifixion of Christ.

The most recent home video release of The Greatest Story Ever Told movie is April 9, 1965. Here are some details…

The Greatest Story Ever Told is available on two different DVD editions: the Movie Only version, or the 2-Disc set that offers the following bonus extras: a new documentary featuring on-camera interviews with the director and cast, the original making-of documentary, deleted footage, a photo gallery and production stills. Audio tracks are available in English (Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) and French. With subtitles in Spanish and French.

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