Review of King of Kings (1961) by Lukas M — 28 Dec 2011

Fine portrayal of the Diety's life.

King of Kings is a biblical epic produced by many of the same people responsible for the making of Ben-Hur. Although not quite as grand as it's predecessor, it hits the highlights of Jesus's ministry and explores the political climate of Israel.

Jeffrey Hunter (Christopher Pike, Star Trek) is serviceable in the leading role but the supporting actors are the real treat. Robert Ryan delivers a subtle but powerful performance as John the Baptist. While other movies portray him as a wild, raving fanatic (Jesus of Nazareth, The Gospel of John) King of Kings suggests a more simple stoic character. My favorite scene is when Jesus hold his hand through the prison bars to free him from his doubts. Siobhan McKenna plays the Virgin Mary with sweetnesss and sympathy, Frank Thring (Pontius Pilate, Ben-Hur) a pompous, slow-witted Herod Antipas, Hurt Hatfield sutiably slimy as Pilate and Brigid Balzen (who could pass for Elizabeth Taylor's little sister) particulary good as the femme fatale Salome. The rest of the cast (Viveca Lindfords, lovely Carmen Sevilla, Rita Gam, Harry Guardino, Rip Torn etc.) deliver good strong performances that elevate the core virtues of the film.

Costumes and sets are lovely (especially the palaces) cienematography is above average and Miklos Rozsa presents a magnificent musical score incredibly similar to his Academy-winning Ben-Hur.

So why four stars? King of Kings spens a little too much time in Roman-Jewish politics while most of the teaching and miracles of Christ are told (rather than shown) from the perspective of others; it could have benefited from another half-hour to flesh out things like the woman at the well, the meeting with Nicodemus, the calming of the sea...etc.).

Still this is a good film that hits the higlights of Jesus' life and deserves to be included in the group of sword-and-sandal dramas who do their job well.