The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)

A Monumental Epic of Spiritual Grandeur

In the pantheon of biblical epics that characterized the golden age of Hollywood, The Greatest Story Ever Told stands apart in both scale and tone. Directed by George Stevens, with co-direction from David Lean and Jean Negulesco, the film was an ambitious attempt to chronicle the entire life of Jesus Christ from nativity to resurrection. Clocking in at over three and a half hours, it aimed not just to dramatize the Gospels, but to elevate them to the realm of the sacred through sweeping visuals, a solemn tone, and a reverent performance by Max von Sydow in his English-language film debut as Christ.

Though it received mixed reviews at the time and struggled at the box office, the film has since become a fascinating case study in epic storytelling, religious filmmaking, and the challenge of portraying divinity on screen.

Plot Overview

As its title suggests, the film sets out to tell the complete story of Jesus, beginning with his birth in Bethlehem and ending with his resurrection. The narrative follows key events from the Gospels:

The Nativity: The Magi's visit and King Herod’s paranoia set the stage.

Baptism and Ministry: Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist (Charlton Heston) and begins preaching and performing miracles.

The Apostles: He gathers disciples including Peter, James, and John, and begins his journey across Galilee.

Conflict and Betrayal: Jesus challenges religious authorities, culminating in Judas Iscariot’s (David McCallum) betrayal.

The Passion: The arrest, trial, crucifixion, and resurrection are portrayed with intense solemnity and symbolic grandeur.

Rather than focusing heavily on action or spectacle, the film opts for meditative pacing and spiritual reflection, with Christ’s teachings, parables, and internal struggles given centre stage.

Performance Highlights

Max von Sydow brings a serene, otherworldly presence to Jesus. Best known at the time for his work with Ingmar Bergman, von Sydow was a bold casting choice. His Nordic features and dignified silence lend a unique ethereal quality to his portrayal. He speaks with authority and gentleness, embodying both the humility and mystery of Christ.

Charlton Heston is thunderous and intense as John the Baptist, delivering fire-and-brimstone sermons that contrast vividly with Jesus’ quiet wisdom. His scenes are among the film’s most dynamic.

Telly Savalas (as Pontius Pilate) offers a conflicted and surprisingly restrained performance. His famous head-shaving for the role became a signature look for him in subsequent roles.

Donald Pleasence as “The Dark Hermit” (interpreted by many as Satan) delivers a haunting and ambiguous presence, often appearing in moments of doubt and temptation.

The supporting cast is sprawling, featuring an array of cameos from Hollywood royalty including:

Claude Rains as King Herod,

José Ferrer, Martin Landau, Roddy McDowall, and even John Wayne in a brief appearance as a Roman centurion uttering the line: “Truly this man was the Son of God.”

This “spot the star” approach was both a draw and a distraction—while it lent the film grandeur, it also pulled viewers out of the sacred narrative at times.

Direction and Visual Style

George Stevens, best known for human dramas like A Place in the Sun and Shane, brings a painter’s eye to the material. Inspired by Renaissance art and religious iconography, he and cinematographer William C. Mellor craft visuals of breathtaking beauty and scale.

Sweeping desert vistas (filmed in Utah and Arizona) are juxtaposed with intimate, candlelit interiors.

Scenes such as the Sermon on the Mount or the Crucifixion are framed with an almost iconographic stillness, emphasizing spiritual reflection over action.

The cinematography is among the film’s greatest strengths, and its Ultra Panavision 70 format ensures that every image feels majestic, even when the story slows.

The score by Alfred Newman is another high point—both reverent and emotionally stirring. The choral arrangements and orchestral swells contribute significantly to the film’s spiritual atmosphere.

Themes and Tone

Reverence Over Realism

This is not a gritty or humanized Christ story in the vein of The Last Temptation of Christ or Jesus of Nazareth. Rather, it strives for a sacred tone, almost liturgical in nature. The dialogue often mirrors scripture verbatim, and characters are presented more as symbols of divine or moral truth than as emotionally complex individuals.

Suffering, Sacrifice, and Faith

Jesus’ journey is portrayed as one of spiritual perseverance, where moments of power (like healing the blind) are less important than moments of suffering and endurance. The Crucifixion is the emotional and thematic climax, emphasizing redemption through sacrifice.

The Cosmic Struggle

Though the film avoids overt supernatural effects, it conveys a sense of divine destiny and the unseen battle between light and darkness. Donald Pleasence’s Hermit serves as a subtle embodiment of evil, a shadowy presence that tempts and observes.

Reception and Legacy

Upon release, The Greatest Story Ever Told received mixed critical reviews:

Critics praised its visual grandeur and sincere tone but criticized its slow pace and over-reliance on star cameos.

It was also compared unfavourably to other biblical epics like Ben-Hur (1959) and King of Kings (1961), both of which offered more accessible storytelling and pacing.

The film was a box office disappointment, failing to recoup its considerable production costs.

Yet over the decades, it has gained a cult following, especially among those who appreciate its artistic ambition and contemplative style. It is also regularly revisited during Easter and religious holidays.

Strengths

Cinematography and Art Direction – Visually stunning, reminiscent of sacred art.

Score – Alfred Newman's music elevates the film's emotional and spiritual impact.

Max von Sydow – A dignified, serene portrayal of Jesus.

Ambitious in scope and reverence – An unapologetically devout vision.

Weaknesses

Pacing – At 3 hours and 45 minutes, the film feels slow and at times inert.

Cameos – Star appearances occasionally disrupt immersion.

Lack of Emotional Intimacy – Characters are symbolic rather than deeply human.

Final Verdict

The Greatest Story Ever Told is a solemn, poetic, and visually majestic retelling of the life of Jesus. While its meditative pacing and stylized approach may not appeal to everyone, it remains a remarkable achievement in spiritual cinema. For those willing to engage with its reverent tone and artistic ambition, it offers a moving and contemplative experience—more akin to a sacred text in motion than a conventional film.