Review of The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) by Alexander S — 28 Mar 2007

Following mainly the gospel of John, this was the first of real block-buster examinations of the life of Jesus the Christ.

Though soft and dream in tone the simple honest with which each scene is approached is appreciable. The allowance for humour and some startling imagery - given the era of film making this was made - show the humanity of the Christ before ever telling the story of his divinity.

The only criticism really is that the acting rides a very calm wave' being neither too gritty or offensive, nor chasing after ethereal other-worldly motives. The film lacks the momentum to really 'present' the importance of its subject.

So though this is the greatest story ever told, and the story certainly is told, it is not told perhaps as well as it could have been.