I’ve never really cared for the 1961 version of KING OF KINGS. Jeffrey Hunter, usually a passionate actor, sleepwalks in the role of Jesus. Robert Ryan is terrible as John the Baptist. And way too much time is spent on Pilate, Herod Antipas, and Barabbas and the Zealots. Christ is basically a guest star in the movie. And they never really explain the purpose of Christ’s life and suffering. Good things in the movie include a great music score by Miklos Rozsa.
Miklos Rosza’s beautiful score is moving and unforgettable and one of the picture’s greatest strengths. I absolutely love his main title theme.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PabhBbNQOd0
I wonder if the composer(”Ben-Hur” and “El Cid” also) was himself a believer.
The movie itself isn’t perfect but then again no movie about the life of Christ ever is. As has been said, this is the most obvious case of the original book being better than any film version possibly could be. Still, I think the Bronston-Ray KOK is one of the better attempts at it. Interesting also that it was the only Bronston production he made in conjunction with MGM. Some of the “Ben-Hur” sheen seems to have been held over for it and that’s a plus in my book.
Really like the Sermon on the Mount scene:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvjTbfxa-pw