The King of Kings

Released Apr 19, 1927

1h 52m

Holiday

Drama

List

71%

Tomatometer

14 Reviews

70%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

After driving the sin out of Mary Magdalene (Jacqueline Logan) and raising Lazarus (Kenneth Thomson) from the dead, Jesus (H.B. Warner) enters into Jerusalem, where Judas (Joseph Schildkraut) conspires to have him turned over to the authorities. After the Last Supper, Jesus goes to Gethsemane, where he is taken prisoner, and thereafter tried under Pontius Pilate (Victor Varconi) and crucified. He is buried and, as foretold in scripture, resurrected three days later.

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Charles Morgan

New York Times

As a work of art it is a complete failure, because it is anaemic and because it shows us a Christ who, though obviously a virtuous and mild man, is completely lacking in the fire and spiritual vigor that go to the making of the great leaders of mankind.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 27, 2013

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Variety Staff

Variety

Tremendous is The King of Kings -- tremendous in its lesson, in the daring of its picturization for a commercial theatre and tremendous in its biggest scene, the Crucifixion of Christ.

Mar 26, 2009

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Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

In a genre that deserves the best artists can offer but is plagued by mediocrity, DeMille's flawed but powerful film remains one of Hollywood's most remarkable achievements.

Rated: A

Dec 7, 2004

Full Review

H. D. (Hilda Doolittle)

Close Up

This King of Kings is beautiful. I am astonished at the acumen of the producer, of the director. The actor himself is some genius of rare order, H.B. Warner, quiet, tense, intense.

Oct 29, 2021

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

The recounting of the Gospels according to De Mille seems awkward, tedious and hokey.

Rated: C

Dec 24, 2007

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Rob Humanick

Projection Booth

Sermons rarely make good films, this one being no different.

Rated: C

Nov 5, 2007

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Isaiah Y

One of the best movies about the life of Jesus by one of the best directors, Cecil B. DeMille

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is one part of Cecil B DeMille's biblical trilogy also including The Ten Commandments and The Sign of the Cross. It is a silent epic film, that received rave reviews. It was largely said to be DeMille's finest motion picture. It is a sincere and reverent visualization of the last three years in the life of Christ, produced on a scale of tasteful magnificence and finely acted.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

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Audience Member

The best inspiring epic movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

Touching and gorgeous.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

One of the early great Biblical Epics that is not only a major production of the 1920's but this film's premier was the grand opening of Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard. The story is entirely original just scenes directly sourced out of the bible, the significance lies in the visual spectacle that Cecile B DeMille often delivered. Thankfully due to DVD audiences can now access the 155 minute which is includes an opening & closing scene that is shot on early two tone technicolor. It's entertaining & melodramatic but definitely a little static in comparison to productions yet to come ie Passion of the Christ 2004 etc. An interesting film to watch & eye to the glory days of Biblical Epics on screen.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A beautiful rendering of the story told in typical DeMille style. It's nice to see Warner as Christ, however I kept thinking of Mr. Gower in It's A Wonderful Life. As with most DeMille epics, a pair of scissors could have helped the overall telling of the tale. The version I saw ran 2.5 hours. The color scenes are eye-popping.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

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Cecil B. DeMille

Director

H.B. Warner

Jesus, the Christ

Jacqueline Logan

Mary Magdalene

Ernest Torrence

Peter

Joseph Schildkraut

Judas Iscariot

Victor Varconi

Pontius Pilate

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Synopsis

After driving the sin out of Mary Magdalene (Jacqueline Logan) and raising Lazarus (Kenneth Thomson) from the dead, Jesus (H.B. Warner) enters into Jerusalem, where Judas (Joseph Schildkraut) conspires to have him turned over to the authorities. After the Last Supper, Jesus goes to Gethsemane, where he is taken prisoner, and thereafter tried under Pontius Pilate (Victor Varconi) and crucified. He is buried and, as foretold in scripture, resurrected three days later.

Director: Cecil B. DeMille
Producer: Cecil B. DeMille
Distributor: Pathé Exchange Inc.
Production Co: DeMille Pictures Corporation
Genre: Holiday, Drama
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 19, 1927, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 15, 2020
Runtime: 1h 52m

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