With this epic,this is FRank Borzage ,one of the most important director America has ever had ,saying goodbye to directing;he was to live only three more years and had little time to enjoy his retirement.But ,what a filmography! Circa 1959,it was epic time ("the ten commandments" ,"Ben Hur","Cleopatra" "kings of kings" ) and it was only natural for Borzage ,whose best works are in essence Christian :his heroes and heroines are prepared to sacrifice everything for the others (often the one they love: "the river" " lucky star" )or what they think is their duty : " no greater glory" or simply humanity (the scientists in "green light" and" doctor's wives" ,the social worker in "stranded").
Actually ,"The Big fisherman" is closer to the spirit of Finnish writer Mika Waltari (Curtiz's "the Egyptian" 1954)and even "Ben Hur" : fictitious characters bump into historical or biblical figures such as Herod Antipas,Herodias or Simon Peter (check the title:Christ's famous sentence "you'll be fisher of men" is included)and John The Baptist.Christ also briefly appears ,but like in "Ben Hur" ,we can't see his face.
The central character is Fara (played by Susan Kohner who is best remembered for Sarah Jane ,the girl who refused to be black in "imitation of life" ,the same year) whose mother was repudiated by Herod Antipas and who decides to kill him (her father).Borzage generally avoids the usual Hollywood traps :for instance,the dance of the seven veils and the death of the Baptist are filmed shadow show style ;and by the way ,where is Salome?
SPOILER: The ending of the movie (and of Borzage's career) is faithful to the director's spirit;the young princess sacrifices (or seems to sacrifice ) her love for Voldi (John Saxon) because she has found a greater love which involves the whole humanity ;perhaps she will become one of the holy women who followed Jesus...
Actually ,"The Big fisherman" is closer to the spirit of Finnish writer Mika Waltari (Curtiz's "the Egyptian" 1954)and even "Ben Hur" : fictitious characters bump into historical or biblical figures such as Herod Antipas,Herodias or Simon Peter (check the title:Christ's famous sentence "you'll be fisher of men" is included)and John The Baptist.Christ also briefly appears ,but like in "Ben Hur" ,we can't see his face.
The central character is Fara (played by Susan Kohner who is best remembered for Sarah Jane ,the girl who refused to be black in "imitation of life" ,the same year) whose mother was repudiated by Herod Antipas and who decides to kill him (her father).Borzage generally avoids the usual Hollywood traps :for instance,the dance of the seven veils and the death of the Baptist are filmed shadow show style ;and by the way ,where is Salome?
SPOILER: The ending of the movie (and of Borzage's career) is faithful to the director's spirit;the young princess sacrifices (or seems to sacrifice ) her love for Voldi (John Saxon) because she has found a greater love which involves the whole humanity ;perhaps she will become one of the holy women who followed Jesus...