Biblical Films

Watched "The Ten Commandments" for about the fiftieth time last night. Still my favorite biblical film. Anyone else have any favorites?

That's one of my all time favorites

No doubt about it: "Ten Commandments" is the all-time champ. Also one of the few epics that the studios treated with reverence: they always preserved excellent masters, so all of the rereleases are of excellent quality (the Blu Ray is outstanding).

Other biblical epics haven't held up as well. "The Robe" was halfway decent. "Sampson and Delilah" is entertaining for its cheesiness.

I agree. I left the faith when I was a teenager, but I retain alot of respect for religion, its history, and how it is represented on screen. The Ten Commandments takes the cake. Noone should ever be allowed to play a biblical figure except Charleston Heston. It's a shame that he never got to portray Christ. I was wondering if they could take the original and substitute modern special effects just to see what that looks like.

The Robe: absolutely one of the best. I also like its sequel, Demetrius and the Gladiators. Of course, Victor Mature was one of those 40s-50s leading men who filled the screen. He was great in both.

Do the Monty Python films count? Those films are classics..

I love The Ten Commandments and look forward to the new Moses movie with Christian Bale. It's not a biblical movie, per se but Ben Hur is also a classic. I enjoyed the recent Noah movie despite some of it's radical departure from scripture. I think the top one, however, has to be The Passion of the Christ.

The Exorcist is number one for me.

Have to admit I like The Ten Commandments. So much of it is pure kitsch by today's standards, but it's all done with a straight face and it's a really enjoyable film because of it. I still like the special effects because it was all done the hard way back before we had all this CGI stuff.

Others I like:

Ben-Hur - the 1959 version is great, but check out the silent version from 1926 if you haven't already caught it on TCM or DVD. It really holds up quite well, all in all, though Francis X. Bushman (Messala) does most of his acting with his chin.

Speaking of silent films, I've always found Cecil B. De Mille's 1927 King of Kings quite watchable. Certainly more so than the 1961 remake (which was referred to, in some circles, as I Was A Teenage Jesus).

I'm sure others will pop into my head eventually, but these came to mind first.


Signor V.
"So let it be written, so let it be done."

I understand the criticism of that film, SV. It wasn't very good. But I never got the teenage Jesus part. I mean, Jeffrey Hunter was about 33 or 34 when they filmed that movie. Same age as Christ when he was crucified. And speaking of Hunter, he died from falling down a flight of stairs, right?

You're right about Hunter's age; he was born in 1926. As far as his cause of death, here's what Wikipedia has to say:

On the night of May 26, 1969, Hunter suffered an intracranial hemorrhage while on a three-stair set of steps at his Van Nuys, California home. He fell, knocked over a planter and struck his head on the banister which fractured his skull. He was found unconscious by his wife and taken to Valley Presbyterian Hospital where he underwent brain surgery to repair his injuries, but died at around 9:30 am the following morning, at the age of 42.


Signor V.

Loved The 10 Commandments. One of, if not the best biblical films. Also liked The Robe, Ben Hur, Samson & Delilah. So many, and I know I'm missing some, but also saw "The Bible" (60s film), and saw Passion of the Christ.

Though it's been many years, I liked King of Kings and always thought Hunter was a great choice for the role.





TIS

Anyone remember "The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima"?

Not a biblical movie, just religious. But my Mom LOVED that movie. They used to show it every Easter weekend on channel 9 here in New York when I was a kid in the '60s and early '70s. I used to watch it with her every year.

For those Board members who are Catholic and old enough to remember, The Ten Commandments and Ben-Hur were not just films, they were almost part of the liturgy. Our school sold tickets to both and the nuns escorted whole classes to the Warner Theater in downtown Pittsburgh to watch them.

Ten Commandments is a perennial favorite. Over time the dialogue may be outdated, but the message is heartfelt and true to the Bible. The actors are superb.

Since "The Passion of the Christ" was premiered I watch the DVD every year. Despite the graphic depiction of the scourging of Christ, I find it inspirational. Actually the opening scenes in the Garden of Gethsemane I find are the most emotionally moving of the entire movie.

Ten Commandments is the best.

I always enjoy Ben Hur, but The Robe bores me to tears for some reason. I do watch it every year though

I can remember watching this show with my grandfather every Easter Holiday. Do they still air it on Television during Easter?

Not in any particular order, but these are my favorites:

The Ten Commandments
Ben Hur
The Robe
King of Kings
The Passion of The Christ
Miracle of Marcelino (Marcelino pan y vino)
The Greatest Story Ever Told

DC,

I saw Miracle of Marcelino when I was in Catholic school. I didn't think anyone else would know it. I don't think it's ever televised?

Anyway, there was also movies on Our Lady Of Lourdes, Our Lady of Fatima.

TIS

You are right TIS. I don't believe that Miracle of Marcelino has been televised for years. I remember seeing it when I was much younger, loved it and never forgot it.

Unfortunately I cannot find it with the english subtitles. But here is a short:

Years ago my sister and I were talking childhood memories when she mentioned Marcelino and that she would like to see it again. I scoured the web and Catholic bookstores until I found where I could order it. I had it delivered to her. I too have fond memories of it. However, there were parts that I remember did scare me.

Thanks for the clip DC. I can't say I remember the entire story well. I think I only saw it probably when it came out or a couple years after.

And yes Oli, if I remember correctly it did seem kind of scary, at least in part.



TIS

Speaking of The Robe, the actor who played Caligula (great performance) played a bit part in the original TV Star Trek made up as an alien.

Olivant, I looked it up. The actor is Jay Robinson.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0732717/?ref_=tt_cl_t5

IMDB says,

"Character actor Jay Robinson owned a pair of the narrowest, cruelest-looking eyes in 1950s Hollywood. To compliment them was an evil-looking sneer, crisp and biting diction and a nefarious-sounding cackle. These were all draped upon a lean, bony physique that could slither about menacingly like a ready-to-pounce cobra. With that in mind, he made an auspicious film debut as Caligula in The Robe (1953), stealing much of the proceedings from the movie's actual stars Richard Burton, Jean Simmons and Victor Mature. Though many complained that Jay's interpretation bordered dangerously on outrageous camp, his depraved Roman emperor nevertheless remains the most indelible image when reminded of the epic costumer."

That is my favorite movie. Saw when it opened at radio city music hall. it opened on Easter they also had a show.

Then later it came out on channel 7 here Every Easter it is still shown

Then I bought it on VHS 0n 2 tapes.

I have on DVD now.

Funny I have not watched it in years.

The dialog in that movie is fantastic.

Michael Ansara was in that movie I dream of Genies husband Barbara Eden.

Clint walker was great seti's chief guard in the movie after became cheyanne.

Acting was great some say Ed Robinson was miscast as dathan he was a real Jew and he was the only one who actually spoke Hebrew in that movie.

The guy that played Joshua was probably the worst actor of all time. But in this he was great.

The lines in this film were fantastic.

Remember when Moses ask Joshua why he hit the guard. He said he hit an old women. Then he said you know it is death to hit him. He said I know. Then he said what was she to you. He said an old women. He should have said it was your real mother Moses.

I have a piece of furniture from the movie. Tried to get Ramases war crown and his war sword no luck.

Remember when bithia found out that Moses went to see his real mother. She knocked down a chair. I have the chair.

Like Demetrius and the gladiators the actor who played Caligula later became a heroin addict.

Song of Bernadetti was a great movie and a great cast i have it on VHS.

If you ever listen to the original sound track of Jesus Christ superstar the voice of the actor singer that played Pontus Pilate sounded a lot like the guy who played Caligula in dementrious and the gladiators.

There was a pretty good movie called St. Francis of AssisI staring Bradford dillman. He gave a good performance. He is the same actor who starred in the movie Bug. Which was one of the worst movies I have ever seen.

I'm watching it again as I type this out. It never gets old. And for all of the jokes about miscasting and American actors with urban accents, for my money it's still the best Biblical film ever made.

It is, The Ten Commandments will always be top shelf.

This year , The Robe really captivated me.

I actually watched it twice.

The Life of Brian has to get a mention.....

http://youtu.be/SYkbqzWVHZI

Always look on the bright side of life......

@Helen, lol! Timeless song!

Another great clip, "What have the Romans ever did for us?"

http://youtu.be/p-fRo5-p9hE

He's not the Messiah. He's a very naughty boy! Now, piss off!



Love that bit about the Romans. And:

Brian: Who cured you?

Ex-Leper: Jesus did, sir. I was hopping along, minding my own business, all of a sudden, up he comes, cures me! One minute I'm a leper with a trade, next minute my livelihood's gone. Not so much as a by-your-leave! "You're cured, mate." Bloody do-gooder.

Good stuff! Here's Billy Connelly's version of the Crucifixion way back in the 70's...it's audio only and you WILL need to listen as it's a really broad Scottish accent! Ill translate any bits if necessary! Very funny, and well known by everyone in Scotland

http://youtu.be/8WgXPBDrd8s

I'm a big fan of Connelly, and have no issues understanding.

My father lived part time in the UK for many years so i spent a lot of time there growing up.(I can even understand geordies, lol.Ye knaa what ah mean leik)

Haha! Even I struggle to understand Geordies Helen! Been to Newcastle a few times though and always found the people very friendly - always a great night out as well

Let's gan te the boozah

Nae bother, lets go up the toon!

Im talking a bit scottish there...should be "nae bother, lets gan up tha toon"!

Switched to Scottish? In that case;

Ill meetcha the back a' ten. We'll gie blooter'd

Yogi Barrabbas will keep us right about the Geordie stuff, if he ever reads this!

Helen, that Scottish translates as "Ill meet you at just after ten and we'll GIVE drunk" - should just be git (get)

We should start a thread of accents/ translations-boston, new york, chicago, glasgow, newcastle etc etc????

Oops my grammar needs work!

You should hear what it sounds like when I say it out loud. Have you ever heard Scottish slang spoken in a heavy NY accent? You'd pish yourself laughing but my understanding is pretty good.

Barabbas, with Anthony Quinn.

@Helen- I just tried to speak heavy scottish in a NY voice and nearly slowed my tongue!

@mustach - I dunno where Barabbas came from with Yogi, he seems a really nice guy though :))

On the Hallmark channel there is a series of TV movies called Love Comes Softly. It has biblical overtones. It's a great christian/family movies.

Quinn is an underrated actor.

Ben-Hur, The Ten Commandments, and The Robe.