Barabba (Barabbas) (1962)

100% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
62% of users liked it
(1,970 ratings)

This 1962 Biblical epic was adapted by Christopher Fry from the novel by Pär Lagerkvist. Anthony Quinn stars as Barabbas, the thief who was pardoned in place of Jesus. For the rest of his life, the guilt-ridden criminal tries to justify his existence and to determine his place in the scheme of… More This 1962 Biblical epic was adapted by Christopher Fry from the novel by Pär Lagerkvist. Anthony Quinn stars as Barabbas, the thief who was pardoned in place of Jesus. For the rest of his life, the guilt-ridden criminal tries to justify his existence and to determine his place in the scheme of things. Along the way he encounters the self-righteous pomposity of Pontius Pilate (Arthur Kennedy), the stoning of Sara (Katy Jurado), the gladiatorial sadism of Torvald (Jack Palance), and the burning of Rome. The film's unbilled Christ is played by Roy Magnano, the brother of Quinn's second-billed costar Silvia Mangano. Watch for the genuine solar eclipse during the Crucifixion sequence, an effect that director Richard Fleischer spent several days preparing for. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 17 min.
Directed By: Richard Fleischer
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Art House & International, Classics

In Theaters: Dec 23, 1961 Wide
On DVD: Mar 5, 2002

Critic Reviews

Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
An extremely underrated Biblical epic.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
Lacking the Circus Maximus spectacle of its famous predecessor, Barabbas compensates with nuanced acting from Anthony Quinn

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lucas M

Barabbas is a beautiful work of Fleischer and Quinn. One of the most exciting and terrific Biblical films. Fresh.

Cast

            Anthony Quinn as Barabbas

            Silvana Mangano as Rachel

            Arthur Kennedy as Pontius Pilate

            Jack Palance as Torvald

            Katy Jurado as Sara

            Harry Andrews as Peter

            Vittorio Gassman as Sahak

            Valentina Cortese as Julia

            Ernest Borgnine as Lucius

            Arnoldo Foà as Joseph of Arimathea

            Laurence Payne as Disciple

            Michael Gwynn as Lazarus

            Norman Wooland as Rufio

            Ivan Triesault as Emperor

            Roy Mangano as Christ

            Joe Robinson as Gladiator

            Guido Celano as Scorpio

            Giovanni Di Benedetto as Officer

            Carlo Giustini
            
            Enrico Glori as Important Gentleman

            Friedrich von Ledebur
            
            Simone Signoret
            
            Douglas Fowley as Vasasio

            Spartaco Nale as Overseer

            Maria Zanoli as Beggar Woman

            Robert Hall as Gladiator Captain
See full cast