Thursday, April 7, 2016

King of Kings - 1927

One does not have to be religious to appreciate the beauty and power of what this author considers the best movie about Jesus's last days ever made. Cecil B. DeMille's epic drama, King of Kings is just one of the many surviving films of the 1920's that smacks the viewer with the realization of just how good the silents often were.


Like most adaptations there were a few liberties taken with the script, like the apostle Mark being a little boy and Mary Magdalene's early love affair with Judas, but it's the strong message of faith that wins in the end, making any true reader of the Bible appreciate the choices made by all of the talents involved.

As for the players, H.B. Warner as Jesus and Joseph Schildkraut as Judas are standouts among a very good ensemble cast. The subtle softness of  Warner's Jesus and the jealous greed that motivates Schildkraut's Judas help contribute to the power of this film, creating a lasting impression that lingers long after the final credit.

However, it's director Cecil B. DeMille and his team of cameramen and set builders that make King of Kings so memorable - including two scenes (Mary Magdalene's den of sin and the resurrection of Jesus) that were filmed in color. As epics go, King of Kings is not only one of the first, but also one of the best. And one that any lover of film should have in their library.

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