King of Kings

KING OF KINGS (1961) – 55th Anniversary Screening on Easter Sunday

As contemporary Hollywood rediscovers the biblical epic (with the recent opening of Risen and the forthcoming release of a Ben-Hur remake), the Anniversary Classics Series presents perhaps the most under-appreciated example of the genre in King of Kings (1961). Originally released as a road show at the end of the studio era, the film was a remake of Cecil B. DeMille’s 1927 silent movie about the life of Christ. Producer Samuel Bronston (El Cid, The Fall of the Roman Empire) surprised with his unconventional choices for director and lead actor to portray Jesus. Both director Nicholas Ray (In a Lonely Place, Rebel Without a Cause) and Jeffrey Hunter, a former contract player at 20th Century Fox, rose to the occasion to convey simply and skillfully “the power, the passion, the greatness, the glory,” as proclaimed in the advertising materials.

Philip Yordan’s insightful screenplay gives political and cultural context, while Miklos Rozsa’s music adds appropriate majesty. Rozsa was Oscar-nominated for El Cid that year, but his score for King of Kings is equally memorable.The film also stars Robert Ryan, Rip Torn, Harry Guardino, Hurd Hatfield, Viveca Lindfors, and a cast of thousands in the pre-CGI effects era.

King of Kings will screen as a special Easter Sunday matinee, duplicating the road show presentation with overture, intermission and entr’acte, on March 27 at 1:00 PM at the Ahrya Fine Arts in Beverly Hills.