The Greatest Story Ever Told 1965

type: Movie

language: English

duration: 191 min

genre: drama

theme: epic

director: David Lean

Score: 5 / 10

The Greatest Story Ever Told is a 1965 American epic religious film that retells the Biblical account of Jesus of Nazareth, from the Nativity through to the Ascension. Produced and directed by George Stevens, the film features an ensemble cast and includes the final film performances of Claude Rains and Joseph Schildkraut.

Plot

The film opens with Three Wise Men following a celestial star to Jerusalem, seeking the prophesied newborn King of the Jews. Summoned by the paranoid King Herod, they reveal the Messiah’s birth, foretold to occur in Bethlehem. Herod secretly dispatches spies to track the child, but the Magi instead find Mary and Joseph in a humble stable, presenting gifts to their infant son, Jesus. Warned by an angel, the family flees to Egypt just before Herod orders the slaughter of Bethlehem’s male infants. Herod dies shortly after, and the family returns to Nazareth.

Awards

National Board of Review: Top Ten Films

Cast

More details

author	Carl Sandburg George Stevens James Lee Barrett
award	National Board of Review: Top Ten Films
contentLocation	Jerusalem
director	David Lean George Stevens
editor	Harold F. Kress
genre	drama historical
keywords	andrew andrew the apostle anointing by mary magdalene anointing of jesus aram ascension ascension of jesus baptism of jesus baptized by john barabbas bethany bethlehem biblical magi capernaum cleansing of the temple condemn crucifixion of jesus crucify dark hermit denial of peter dimas drives out merchants eucharist false witness fishers of men flees to egypt flight into egypt galilee gestas gethsemane great commission hallelujah chorus heal healing a crippled man healing the paralytic at capernaum heals a hemorrhaging woman herod antipas herod the great herodias hometown rejection of jesus impenitent thief jesus jesus and the woman taken in adultery jesus healing the bleeding woman jesus predicts his betrayal jesus rises john john the apostle john the baptist jordan river joseph joseph of arimathea judas iscariot judas’s kiss king herod kiss of judas last supper learn mary magdalene massacre of the innocents matthew matthew the apostle messiah nazareth origin of the eucharist parable parables of jesus penitent thief peter peter’s denials pharisee pontius pilate rejection resurrection of jesus resurrection of lazarus resurrects his friend lazarus rides into jerusalem saint joseph saint peter sanhedrin sanhedrin trial of jesus satan slaughter of bethlehem’s male infants spares mary magdalene from stoning stone summon tax collector teach temple temple in jerusalem thirty pieces of silver thomas thomas the apostle three wise men triumphal entry into jerusalem wise men
musicBy	Alfred Newman
nomination	Academy Award for Best Art Direction, Color Academy Award for Best Cinematography, Color Academy Award for Best Costume Design, Color Academy Award for Best Original Score Academy Award for Best Visual Effects
producer	George Stevens
productionCompany	George Stevens Productions
publisher	United Artists
recordedAt	Arizona Utah
theme	epic