This film was unjustly nicknamed "I Was a Teenage Jesus", as star Jeffrey Hunter neither was, nor does he look, like a "teenager". Rather, his appearance quite matches the idealized "Jesus" very much accepted by many Christians. Actually, Mr. Hunter is, overall, the correct age to be portraying Jesus Christ; although he is perhaps, a little too "hunky" looking. H.B. Warner, who starred in Cecil B. DeMille's original "King of Kings" was far too old. Admittedly, Mr. Warner was, with the help of a softening lens, more successful essaying the role than Hunter.
The angling direction, by Nicholas Ray is interesting, if uninspiring. Miklos Rozsa's music is lovely, contributing greatly to the film's reverence. There are some nice supporting performances; I enjoyed, for example, Hurd Hatfield's "Pilate" and some of the others were amusing, at least. "King of Kings" has a big, colorful look - but, it's one of the duller entries in the Biblical epic genre. It's a handsome production, but it might take a miracle for me to sit through "King of Kings" again.
***** King of Kings (10/11/61) Nicholas Ray ~ Jeffrey Hunter, Hurd Hatfield, Robert Ryan
The angling direction, by Nicholas Ray is interesting, if uninspiring. Miklos Rozsa's music is lovely, contributing greatly to the film's reverence. There are some nice supporting performances; I enjoyed, for example, Hurd Hatfield's "Pilate" and some of the others were amusing, at least. "King of Kings" has a big, colorful look - but, it's one of the duller entries in the Biblical epic genre. It's a handsome production, but it might take a miracle for me to sit through "King of Kings" again.
***** King of Kings (10/11/61) Nicholas Ray ~ Jeffrey Hunter, Hurd Hatfield, Robert Ryan