The King of Kings (1927)

Director:

Cecil B. DeMille

Writer:

Jeanie Macpherson (story)

Release Date:

1928 (Austria)

Genre:

Drama | History

Tagline:

Most reverent and strikingly beautiful panorama of the tragedy of all ages--the world's greatest screen epic. A production acclaimed by world-famed scholars, press and public in this country and abroad, as the most ambitious presentation of the final years of the life of Jesus ever pictured on the screen. An epochal motion picture that will live forever in the hearts of mankind.

Plot:

Mary Magdalene becomes angry when Judas, now a follower of Jesus, won't come to her feast. She goes to see Jesus and becomes repentant...

Plot Keywords:

Resurrection | Crucifixion | Temple | Adultery | Two Strip Technicolor

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

H.B. Warner	...	Jesus, the Christ
Dorothy Cumming	...	Mary, the mother
Ernest Torrence	...	Peter
Joseph Schildkraut	...	Judas Iscariot
James Neill	...	James, brother of John
Joseph Striker	...	John, the beloved
Robert Edeson	...	Matthew, the publican
Sidney D'Albrook	...	Thomas, the doubter
David Imboden	...	Andrew, a fisherman
Charles Belcher	...	Philip
Clayton Packard	...	Bartholomew
Robert Ellsworth	...	Simon, the zealot
Charles Requa	...	James The Lesser
John T. Prince	...	Thaddeus
Jacqueline Logan	...	Mary Magdalene

Runtime:

USA:112 min (alternate version) | USA:155 min (premiere version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color (2-strip Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Photophone System) (1931 reissue) | Silent | Silent (RCA Photophone System)

Certification:

Australia:G | USA:Not Rated

Filming Locations:

Culver Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company:

DeMille Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

The Temple of Jerusalem set was constructed on the Pathe (later, RKO) backlot in Culver City. It was redressed as the "Great Wall" set that the title character breaks through in King Kong (1933). It was later reused in David O. Selznick's The Garden of Allah (1936) and finally went out in a blaze of glory after it was redressed with Civil War era building fronts, burned and pulled down by a tractor to represent the burning of Atlanta munitions warehouses in Selznick's Gone with the Wind (1939).

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: In the first scene in Mary Magdalene's house, studio lights are reflected in a large hand-held mirror.

Quotes:

Mary Magdalene: Harness my zebras - gift of the Nubian King! This Carpenter shall learn that he cannot hold a man from Mary Magdalene!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Passion: Films, Faith & Fury (2006) (TV)

DeMille's finest production

Cecil B. DeMille produced this masterpiece over 75 years ago and it still retains its great power and reverence. Everyone associated with the production put their heart and soul into this work and it certainly shows on screen. The photography and background music score are to be particularly commended. By the way, any on-screen violence during the scourging and crucifixion sequences were kept to a minimum. Parents can view this film with their children and have no concerns. For some reason, this has very limited play on television in the United States. However, the Kino video tape release remains available for purchase. At any rate, this is a film to seek out and treasure. A true silent film classic !