The Greatest Story Ever Told

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The Greatest Story Ever Told

G

1965

3h 15m

Holiday

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

42%

Tomatometer

24 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

From his birth in Bethlehem to his death and eventual resurrection, the life of Jesus Christ (Max von Sydow) is given the all-star treatment in this epic retelling. Major aspects of Christ's life are touched upon, including the execution of all the newborn males in Egypt by King Herod (Claude Rains) ; Christ's baptism by John the Baptist (Charlton Heston) ; and the betrayal by Judas after the Last Supper that eventually leads to Christ's crucifixion and miraculous return.

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William J. Nazzaro

Arizona Republic

Many persons will want to see this film because it provides a pictorialization of their faith. In this, George Stevens has succeeded admirably.

Aug 18, 2021

Full Review

David Parkinson

Empire Magazine

The massive ensemble of stars and the attention to biblical detail makes this quite an undertaking... for the makers and the viewers. Long, strong and Jesusy.

Jun 20, 2019

Full Review

Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

Rated: B+

Oct 29, 2008

Full Review

Judith Crist

New York Herald Tribune

We sit in lethargy because there are no insights, no illuminations, no fresh or even specific points of view to stimulate or satisfy the beliefs or disbeliefs we have brought to the film.

Aug 15, 2022

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

"Truly, this man was the son of God," John Wayne drawls, evoking his Western persona so strongly that you half-expect Walter Brennan to pop up alongside him as his sidekick, Gimpus Maximus.

Rated: 2/4

Apr 11, 2020

Full Review

Loren King

Newport This Week (RI)

Despite its weaknesses, the three-and-one-half hour film, shot in the Ultra Panavision 70 process, offers some exquisite, rapturous cinematography and Alfred Newman's ethereal score.

Apr 9, 2020

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MG_Claymore C

Great actors and some beautiful shots in this film. I still enjoy the Jesus of Nazareth (1977) made for tv mini series more. Even if it is six hours long.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/20/24

Full Review

Jason C

Knew of the title of the movie but didn’t know Max Von Sydow played Jesus. Though it was ok. Liked Charlton Heston as John the Baptist. The bit I thought strange was Lazarus - why they didn’t show the miracle of his resurrection. They made it look like it was hearsay of the witnesses rather than let the audience see the risen Lazarus. This seemed to undermine the movie. That it didn’t come completely from a place of faith. Surely if it was the Greatest Story Ever Told they would show the risen Lazarus.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

11/18/24

Full Review

Rick M

Other than some textual inconsistencies and inaccuracies, I thought it was overall quite a good depiction. A great movie for Easter Sunday evening.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

04/01/24

Full Review

Fred L G

I think it was a monumental film and one I have watched many times, enjoying it each and every time. I would have loved to see the entire movie in a theater.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/24

Full Review

Anthony J

Long, dull and almost stupid. Barely the 47,699th Greatest Story Ever Told...

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/20/23

Full Review

steve d

I am not the target audience, but I was board.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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George Stevens

Director

Max von Sydow

Jesus

Charlton Heston

John the Baptist

Carroll Baker

Veronica

Dorothy McGuire

The Virgin Mary

Robert Loggia

Joseph

The Greatest Story Ever Told: Official Clip - The Birth of Jesus Christ

2:30

The Greatest Story Ever Told: Official Clip - The Last Supper

3:36

The Greatest Story Ever Told: Official Clip - Lazarus Rises From the Dead

3:08

The Greatest Story Ever Told: Official Clip - You Are The Messiah

1:30

The Greatest Story Ever Told: Official Clip - Jesus Dies On The Cross

2:24

The Greatest Story Ever Told: Official Clip - Jesus Heals Uriah

2:29

The Greatest Story Ever Told: Official Clip - Your Will Be Done

1:52

The Greatest Story Ever Told: Official Clip - Sermon on the Mount

1:53

The Greatest Story Ever Told: Official Clip - John Baptizes Jesus

2:36

The Greatest Story Ever Told: Official Clip - Jesus Is Resurrected

2:19

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Synopsis

From his birth in Bethlehem to his death and eventual resurrection, the life of Jesus Christ (Max von Sydow) is given the all-star treatment in this epic retelling. Major aspects of Christ's life are touched upon, including the execution of all the newborn males in Egypt by King Herod (Claude Rains) ; Christ's baptism by John the Baptist (Charlton Heston) ; and the betrayal by Judas after the Last Supper that eventually leads to Christ's crucifixion and miraculous return.

Director: George Stevens
Producer: George Stevens
Screenwriter: James Lee Barrett, George Stevens
Production Co: George Stevens Productions
Rating: G
Genre: Holiday, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Runtime: 3h 15m

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