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The Greatest Story Ever Told
1965 199 min United States of America G 0+
★6.6
Drama, History
Director: George Stevens
Trailers
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Teaser
Description
From his birth in Bethlehem to his death and eventual resurrection, the life of Jesus Christ is given the all-star treatment in this epic retelling. Major aspects of Christ's life are touched upon, including the execution of all the newborn males in Egypt by King Herod; Christ's baptism by John the Baptist; and the betrayal by Judas after the Last Supper that eventually leads to Christ's crucifixion and miraculous return.
Budget:
$20M
Worldwide:
$15.5M
Starring
Max von Sydow
Actor
Dorothy McGuire
Actor
Charlton Heston
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 1966
— Best Original Score
Academy Awards 1966
— Best Cinematography (Color)
Academy Awards 1966
— Best Production Design (Color)
Academy Awards 1966
— Best Costume Design (Color)
Academy Awards 1966
— Best Visual Effects
Key opinion
George Stevens' biblical epic is widely praised for its visual grandeur and Max von Sydow's committed lead performance. However, the film is frequently criticized for its slow, cumbersome pacing and a distracting, uneven approach to its star-studded ensemble cast.
| Acting | Max von Sydow delivers a magnetic, sincere, and grounded performance that serves as the film's primary anchor. | |
| Cinematography | The cinematography and technical craft offer a grand, atmospheric scale that captures the gravity of the source material. | |
| Pacing | The film's excessive length and static, plodding narrative progression make the viewing experience feel exhausting and labored. | |
| Acting | While some viewers find the cameos and star-studded cast distracting and disjointed, others feel they successfully contribute to the film's sense of epic scale. |