"The Greatest Story Ever Told" is a lavish production on the life of Jesus that was directed by George Stevens. In some ways, it's pretty good...in other ways it's left wanting. Plus, with ANY life of Christ on film, I guarantee some will love it and some will hate it!
So what didn't I like? Well, one big problem is that the film is a star-studded affair and really shouldn't have been. Tons and tons of well known actors are in the film to the point where at times it seems more about them than about telling the story of Jesus. The best example, clearly, is John Wayne in a tiny scene where he seems more to be playing himself than a Roman Centurion. The other problem is that the film was filled with folks who looked totally out of place in the story. In other words, everyone is so white. Now I am not a super politically correct sort of guy...but having a Swede play Jesus? And, the likes of fair-skinned and blue-eyed disciples?! Huh?! My final quibble is that the film is way too stilted and lacks humanity. In other words, Jesus and pretty much everyone in the film are humorless and stiff....and don't feel especially real because of this.
On the other hand, while the film pretty clearly looks like the American Southwest, it wasn't a bad substitute for Israel. Also, the sets were lavish and obviously cost a lot of money.
Overall, this is a film many will enjoy, though I think some other similar films about Jesus are better, such as "Jesus of Nazareth".
So what didn't I like? Well, one big problem is that the film is a star-studded affair and really shouldn't have been. Tons and tons of well known actors are in the film to the point where at times it seems more about them than about telling the story of Jesus. The best example, clearly, is John Wayne in a tiny scene where he seems more to be playing himself than a Roman Centurion. The other problem is that the film was filled with folks who looked totally out of place in the story. In other words, everyone is so white. Now I am not a super politically correct sort of guy...but having a Swede play Jesus? And, the likes of fair-skinned and blue-eyed disciples?! Huh?! My final quibble is that the film is way too stilted and lacks humanity. In other words, Jesus and pretty much everyone in the film are humorless and stiff....and don't feel especially real because of this.
On the other hand, while the film pretty clearly looks like the American Southwest, it wasn't a bad substitute for Israel. Also, the sets were lavish and obviously cost a lot of money.
Overall, this is a film many will enjoy, though I think some other similar films about Jesus are better, such as "Jesus of Nazareth".