Fascinating because it is based on a Nobel Prize winning novel and the film's most popular slice is the gladiator segment, which I am told was never a part of the novel! That's Hollywood. It is also the sequence that presents the arch villain of Hollywood, Jack Palance at his evil best.
I have not read the novel and I have not seen the earlier Swedish film by director Alf Sjoberg--both are great works, I believe.
What is great about Fleischer's "Barabbas"? The casting is accidentally superb--Yul Brynner was to play the Quinn part initially. And this is arguably Quinn's best work. So is the case of Sylvano Mangano, again the most memorable work of hers. Jack Palance, Arthur Kennedy and Ernest Borgnine are fascinating. Ms Mangano's brother plays the cameo of Jesus.
For the religious, the eclipse during the crucifiction of Christ was real, not a studio trick. At the same time one needs to know that director Fleischer had planned it in advance. It was not a "miracle" at all.
Starting from the amazing low-angle opening shot of the film, the film has very creditable photography. The cinematographer is Aldo Tonti who gave us the lovely images in Fellini's classic "Night of Cabiria" (1957).
For me, "Barabbas" is the best Biblical and the best sword-and-sandals work Hollywood and Cinecitta ever made. A miracle by itself, not just the mere work of a great novelist! A great subject to meditate on--darkness versus light, thanks to the author of the Nobel-Prize winning novel.
I have not read the novel and I have not seen the earlier Swedish film by director Alf Sjoberg--both are great works, I believe.
What is great about Fleischer's "Barabbas"? The casting is accidentally superb--Yul Brynner was to play the Quinn part initially. And this is arguably Quinn's best work. So is the case of Sylvano Mangano, again the most memorable work of hers. Jack Palance, Arthur Kennedy and Ernest Borgnine are fascinating. Ms Mangano's brother plays the cameo of Jesus.
For the religious, the eclipse during the crucifiction of Christ was real, not a studio trick. At the same time one needs to know that director Fleischer had planned it in advance. It was not a "miracle" at all.
Starting from the amazing low-angle opening shot of the film, the film has very creditable photography. The cinematographer is Aldo Tonti who gave us the lovely images in Fellini's classic "Night of Cabiria" (1957).
For me, "Barabbas" is the best Biblical and the best sword-and-sandals work Hollywood and Cinecitta ever made. A miracle by itself, not just the mere work of a great novelist! A great subject to meditate on--darkness versus light, thanks to the author of the Nobel-Prize winning novel.