← Back to results
Barabbas
1961 137 min United States of America, Italy 12+
★7.3
History, Drama, Adventure
Director: Richard Fleischer
📖 Based on the novel
«Barabbas»
byPär Lagerkvist
Trailers
Description
Epic account of the thief Barabbas, who was pardoned for his crimes and spared crucifixion when Pilate offered the Israelites a choice to pardon Barabbas or Jesus. Struggling with his spirituality, Barabbas goes through many ordeals leading him to the gladiatorial arena, where he tries to win his freedom and confront his inner demons, ultimately becoming a follower of the man who was crucified in his place.
US Gross:
$6.32M
Worldwide:
$5.8M
Starring
Anthony Quinn
Actor
Silvana Mangano
Actor
Arthur Kennedy
Actor
Awards
1 win & 3 nominations
Key opinion
Barabbas is widely praised for its epic scale and profound philosophical inquiry into the life of the biblical thief. While the film is recognized as a visually rich and intellectually ambitious adaptation, some viewers find its deliberate pacing and religious pageantry to be uneven.
| Acting | Anthony Quinn delivers an exceptional, grounding performance as the titular character. | |
| Production | The production design meticulously recreates the stark, brutal aesthetic of late antiquity, effectively grounding the story in a tangible historical setting. | |
| Theme | The screenplay successfully elevates the source material by embedding deep philosophical and existential questions within a classic historical epic. | |
| Pacing | The film’s epic, slow-burn pacing is perceived by some as immersive and necessary for its contemplative tone, while others find that it occasionally drags. |