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.
Ntra la porta tua lu sangu � sparsu, E nun me mporta si ce muoru accisu... E s'iddu muoru e vaju mparadisu Si nun ce truovo a ttia, mancu ce trasu.
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.
Last edited by olivant; 04/20/1407:47 PM.
"Generosity. That was my first mistake." "Experience must be our only guide; reason may mislead us." "Instagram is Twitter for people who can't read."
Do the Monty Python films count? Those films are classics..
The Mafia Is Not Primarily An Organisation Of Murderers. First And Foremost,The Mafia Is Made Up Of Thieves. It Is Driven By Greed And Controlled By Fear.
Between The Law And The Mafia, The Law Is Not The Most To Be Feared
"What if the Mafia were not an organization but a widespread Sicilian attitude of hostility towards the law?"
Watched "The Ten Commandments" for about the fiftieth time last night. Still my favorite biblical film. Anyone else have any favorites?
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.
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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."
"For me, there's only my wife..."
"Sure I cook with wine - sometimes I even add it to the food!"
"When life itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies?"
"It was a grass harp... And we listened."
"Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? Every, every minute?"
Certainly more so than the 1961 remake (which was referred to, in some circles, as I Was A Teenage Jesus
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?
"I got news for you. If it wasn't for the toilet, there would be no books." --- George Costanza.
Certainly more so than the 1961 remake (which was referred to, in some circles, as I Was A Teenage Jesus
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.
"For me, there's only my wife..."
"Sure I cook with wine - sometimes I even add it to the food!"
"When life itself seems lunatic, who knows where madness lies?"
"It was a grass harp... And we listened."
"Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? Every, every minute?"
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
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
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.
"I got news for you. If it wasn't for the toilet, there would be no books." --- George Costanza.
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.
"Generosity. That was my first mistake." "Experience must be our only guide; reason may mislead us." "Instagram is Twitter for people who can't read."
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.
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, whoever humbles himself will be exalted - Matthew 23:12
Re: Biblical Films
[Re: MaryCas]
#773926 04/23/1408:41 AM04/23/1408:41 AM
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
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
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:
Don Cardi
Five - ten years from now, they're gonna wish there was American Cosa Nostra. Five - ten years from now, they're gonna miss John Gotti.
I saw Miracle of Marcelino when I was in Catholic school. I didn't think anyone else would know it.
TIS
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.
"Generosity. That was my first mistake." "Experience must be our only guide; reason may mislead us." "Instagram is Twitter for people who can't read."
Re: Biblical Films
[Re: olivant]
#774776 04/29/1411:30 AM04/29/1411:30 AM
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
"Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind. War will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige that the warrior does today." JFK
"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."
Watched "The Ten Commandments" for about the fiftieth time last night. Still my favorite biblical film. Anyone else have any favorites?
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.
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.
Watched "The Ten Commandments" for about the fiftieth time last night. Still my favorite biblical film. Anyone else have any favorites?
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.
"I got news for you. If it wasn't for the toilet, there would be no books." --- George Costanza.