King of Kings (1961)

83% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
75% of users liked it
(4,000 ratings)

The powerful and critically-acclaimed story of Jesus told in a strikingly beautiful visual style. Stars Oscar-nominees and Emmy-winner Rip Torn (TV's "The Larry Sanders Show") as Judas and Robert Ryan ("Bad Day at Black Rock," "Crossfire," "The Wild Bunch") as John the Baptist with Jeffrey Hunter… More The powerful and critically-acclaimed story of Jesus told in a strikingly beautiful visual style. Stars Oscar-nominees and Emmy-winner Rip Torn (TV's "The Larry Sanders Show") as Judas and Robert Ryan ("Bad Day at Black Rock," "Crossfire," "The Wild Bunch") as John the Baptist with Jeffrey Hunter ("A Kiss Before Dying") as Christ. Directed by Oscar-nominee Nicholas Ray ("Rebel Without a Cause," "In a Lonely Place"). Narrated by Orson Welles ("Citizen Kane"). "...grandly filmed...deeply moving" - Leonard Maltin.

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 2 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Nicholas Ray
Written By: Philip Yordan
Genres: Drama, Faith & Spirituality, Classics

In Theaters: Oct 30, 1961 Wide
On DVD: Feb 25, 2003
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

, TIME Magazine
Director Nicholas Ray makes few positive contributions.
Variety Staff, Variety
Director Nicholas Ray has brooded long and wisely upon the meaning of his meanings, has planted plenty of symbols along the path, yet avoided the banalities of religious calendar art.
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
Let us say the spirit is hinted but the projection of it is weak.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
This quirky 'Scope biblical spectacular is a lot more thoughtful and interesting than most.
Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing
Because the makers of King of Kings took a chance by casting heartthrob Jeffrey Hunter as Christ, this was quickly dubbed by industry wags I Was a Teenage Jesus. But the film is far better than that label would suggest.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Nicholas Ray's biblical epic, toward the end of his career, is an intelligent film that finds the right balance between exteriors and interiors, stunning vistas and compelling characters.
Glenn Heath Jr., Slant Magazine
Nicholas Ray's King of Kings is an extreme test of one's patience, a sluggish modernist power point presentation on the glorious influence of Jesus's greatest hits.
Sean Axmaker, Seanax.com
... whereas detractors dismissed the films as I Was a Teenage Jesus, it's more accurate to describe it as Rebel With a Cause.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
Before receiving the Blu-ray edition for review, I hadn't seen the movie in almost fifty years, not since it first came out, and I hadn't remembered how very good it was. (Blu-ray Edition)
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
Although it may rely a little too heavily on spectacle, it features fine acting, direction, and photography. On Blu-ray it makes a splendid showing.
David Parkinson, Empire Magazine
Jeffrey Hunter is less Saviour of the Christian faith and more anti-hero with many very human doubts and concerns.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
An epic of considerable scope, filled with broad vistas, yet there are enough intimate moments to give audience a chance to engage with the characters rather than just admire their pontificating.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
This is one of the most interesting screen versions of the Gospels.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A sweeping and at times stirring biblical epic.
John Urbancich, Sun Newspapers of Cleveland
Perfect for Easter TV.
, Film4
As such, it's a pretty reverent recounting of the New Testament.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lukas M

Fine portrayal of the Diety's life. King of Kings is a biblical epic produced by many of the same people responsible for the making of Ben-Hur. Although not quite as grand as it's predecessor, it hits the highlights of Jesus's ministry and explores the political… More
Fine portrayal of the Diety's life. King of Kings is a biblical epic produced by many of the same people responsible for the making of Ben-Hur. Although not quite as grand as it's predecessor, it hits the highlights of Jesus's ministry and explores the political climate of Israel. Jeffrey Hunter (Christopher Pike, Star Trek) is serviceable in the leading role but the supporting actors are the real treat. Robert Ryan delivers a subtle but powerful performance as John the Baptist. While other movies portray him as a wild, raving fanatic (Jesus of Nazareth, The Gospel of John) King of Kings suggests a more simple stoic character. My favorite scene is when Jesus hold his hand through the prison bars to free him from his doubts. Siobhan McKenna plays the Virgin Mary with sweetnesss and sympathy, Frank Thring (Pontius Pilate, Ben-Hur) a pompous, slow-witted Herod Antipas, Hurt Hatfield sutiably slimy as Pilate and Brigid Balzen (who could pass for Elizabeth Taylor's little sister) particulary good as the femme fatale Salome. The rest of the cast (Viveca Lindfords, lovely Carmen Sevilla, Rita Gam, Harry Guardino, Rip Torn etc.) deliver good strong performances that elevate the core virtues of the film. Costumes and sets are lovely (especially the palaces) cienematography is above average and Miklos Rozsa presents a magnificent musical score incredibly similar to his Academy-winning Ben-Hur. So why four stars? King of Kings spens a little too much time in Roman-Jewish politics while most of the teaching and miracles of Christ are told (rather than shown) from the perspective of others; it could have benefited from another half-hour to flesh out things like the woman at the well, the meeting with Nicodemus, the calming of the sea...etc.) Still this is a good film that hits the higlights of Jesus' life and deserves to be included in the group of sword-and-sandal dramas who do their job well.
Brian R

This picture, basically, it is a retelling of the story of Jesus. "King Of Kings" pretty much says it all and the director Nicolas Ray does a good job staying true to the life of the Son Of God. The cinematography is great, nice locations, thousands of extras, epic. Orson… More
This picture, basically, it is a retelling of the story of Jesus. "King Of Kings" pretty much says it all and the director Nicolas Ray does a good job staying true to the life of the Son Of God. The cinematography is great, nice locations, thousands of extras, epic. Orson Welles provides the voice narration and covers the aspects of the story. Jefferey Hunter plays as Jesus and I couldn't help but notice the closeups of his blue eyes when he heals a blind man. Hunter doesn't over play the part and looks charismatic and confident as the Messiah. The film plays like theater since the characters talk and move like theater actors would. The vast, large epic scale is more important to the picture then the life of Jesus itself but overall this is a movie I'd recommend to athiests.

Cast

            Jeffrey Hunter as Jesus Christ

            Siobhan McKenna as Mary

            Hurd Hatfield as Pontius Pilate

            Ron Randell as Lucius the Centurion

            Harry Guardino as Barabbas

            Viveca Lindfors as Claudia

            Rip Torn as Judas

            Rita Gam as Herodias

            Frank Thring as Herod Antipas

            Carmen Sevilia as Mary Magdalene

            Brigid Bazlen as Salome

            Guy Rolfe as Caiphas

            Maurice Marsac as Nicodemus

            Grégoire Aslan as King Herod

            Royal Dano as Peter

            Edric Connor as Balthazar

            Robert Ryan as John the Baptist

            Orson Welles as Narrator [uncredited]

            George Coulouris as Camel Driver

            Conrado San Martin  as Gen. Pompey

            Gérard Tichy as Joseph

            Luis Prendes as Good Thief

            David Davies as Burly Man

            Rubén Rojo as Matthew

            Fernando Sancho as Madman

            Michael Wager as Thomas

            Adriano Rimoldi as Melchior

            Barry Keegan as Bad Thief

            Rafael Luis Calvo as Simon of Cyrene

            Ted de Corsia as Innkeeper/Complainer

            Félix de Pomés as Joseph of Arimathea

            José Nieto as Caspar

            Francisco Moran as Blind Man

            Carmen Sevilla
            
See full cast