The Silver Chalice (1954)
-
13% of critics liked it
(8 reviews) -
31% of users liked it
(123 ratings)
Paul Newman made his screen debut in the gloriously nonsensical costume epic The Silver Chalice. Freely adapted from a novel by Thomas B. Costain, the film casts Newman as Basil, a first century Greek sculptor who is sold into slavery by his wicked uncle. Transported to Rome, Basil manages to enjoy… More Paul Newman made his screen debut in the gloriously nonsensical costume epic The Silver Chalice. Freely adapted from a novel by Thomas B. Costain, the film casts Newman as Basil, a first century Greek sculptor who is sold into slavery by his wicked uncle. Transported to Rome, Basil manages to enjoy a measure of freedom when his captors discover his sculpting talents; he also marries another slave, the demure Deborra (Pier Angeli) and dallies with the sensuous Helena (Virginia Mayo), the mercenary partner of court magician Simon (Jack Palance). The plot congeals when Basil is commissioned to create a silver receptacle for the chalice from which Jesus Christ drank at the Last Supper. Lorne Greene, likewise making his screen bow, is all portentous speeches and prophetic observations as the apostle Peter. Of the many silly highlights, the silliest -- and most memorable -- occurs when the unhinged Simon is possessed with the notion that he can fly with the gods (Palance's performance in this episode must be seen to be believed). When The Silver Chalice was first released, poor Paul Newman was roundly panned as a third-rate Brando; one reviewer noted that he "delivers his lines with the emotional fervor of a Putnam Division conductor announcing local stops." No one has been more vocal in the drubbing of Newman's performance than Newman himself. When the film was first aired on TV in Los Angeles in 1961, the actor took out a full-page apology in the trade papers. In recent years, however, Paul Newman has pointed to The Silver Chalice with pride, observing that he was able to overcome a bad beginning and endure as a screen favorite for over four decades. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Rating, Runtime
- Unrated, 2 hr. 30 min.
- Directed By
- Victor Saville
- Written By
- Lesser Samuels
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Classics
- In Theaters
- Sep 20, 1954 Wide
- On DVD
- Feb 17, 2009
Critic Reviews
-
Variety Staff, Variety
Like the Thomas B. Costain book, the picture is overdrawn and sometimes tedious, but producer-director Victor Saville still manages to instill interest in what's going on, and even hits a feeling of excitement occasionally.
-
A.H. Weiler, New York Times
Though it is lavish and sweeping in execution, The Silver Chalice, for all of its august and religious aspects, is not an imposing offering.
-
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
The pic is so bad, you can hear the dogs barking.
-
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
No one is immune to the punishment of the script and direction.
-
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...the movie attempts to make a grand splash. Unhappily, the splash is more like a belly flop.
Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
Cast
-
Virginia Mayoas Helena -
Anna Maria Pier Angelias Deborra -
Jack Palanceas Simon The Magician
-
Paul Newmanas Basil -
Natalie Woodas Helena as a Girl -
Walter Hampdenas Joseph
Now you can share movies with your friends on Facebook!
- Discover movies your friends are watching
- Keep track of what you want to see
- Add your reviews to your Timeline
