Reviews
John Chard

John Chard

December 5, 2015
7.0
*Repent!* Sue me, but I like it plenty, all 3 hours plus of ass numbing is not a problem to me. It has been called a cumbersome bore, amongst other things, but some of the technical craft is amazing. The story itself is enthralling, building to the shattering Crucifixion parts of the tale, while for every pointless star cameo shoehorned into the production, there's also a Savalas, a Baker and a Heston. Then of course there's Sydow, giving a beautifully intense turn as Jesus, a magnetic portrayal that holds the attention throughout. Ironically director George Stevens struggled with his own ills during production, a cross to bear as it were, but just as Jesus had Sidney Poitier to share the burden, so to did Stevens, who had David Lean to help carry the load. Now that's a deity if ever there was one. It's a gorgeous film, grand and epic, sensitive and astute. Flaws? Plenty for sure, yet it harks back to a time of blunderbuss epic film making, when story telling meant something, when a musical score rattled the ears and the heart, and when cinematography soothed the eyes as if cool lemon slices had been placed upon the optical nerves. Yeah, I'm a fan. If you are not then I forgive you, for you know not what you do. 7/10
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

September 5, 2024
6.0
Max von Sydow is Jesus in George Steven's take on the "King of Kings" story and aside from a suitably effective contribution from José Ferrer as Herod Antipas, gives the only decent performance in this epically long, plodding, depiction of the life of Christ. Clearly money was spent - the photography is epic, as is Alfred Newman's score and a first-rate cast of Hollywood A-listers ought to have delivered better. Sadly, it is hampered by a static script - producing some seriously stultifying dialogue; authentic but murky lighting and a paucity of action that makes the film drag. Aside from a good, if brief, performance from Claude Rains as Herod the Great at the start, the acting is at best disjointed - too many people trying to impose themselves at the expense of any considered approach to the narrative. It may well be the greatest story ever written, but this is certainly not the best telling of it...

Recommendation Movies

6.9
History
View
6.9
Barabbas
Barabbas1961
5.5
Horror
View
5.5
Prophecy
Prophecy1979
6.7
Drama
View
6.7
The Book of Genesis
The Book of Genesis2016
6.5
Comedy
View
6.5
The Giant Mechanical Man
The Giant Mechanical Man2012
4.3
Action
View
4.3
Singham Again
Singham Again2024
6
Romance
View
6
Me You and Five Bucks
Me You and Five Bucks2015
7
Western
View
7
The Shootist
The Shootist1976
6.7
Action
View
6.7
Tarzan the Ape Man
Tarzan the Ape Man1932
7
Drama
View
7
Scarecrow
Scarecrow1973
7.2
Romance
View
7.2
Antoine and Colette
Antoine and Colette1962
6.2
Drama
View
6.2
Alps
Alps2011
8.3
Drama
View
8.3
Jesus
Jesus1979
5.7
Thriller
View
5.7
The Vanishing
The Vanishing2019
7.5
Music
View
7.5
My Fair Lady
My Fair Lady1964
8.1
Drama
View
8.1
Innocent Voices
Innocent Voices2005
6.9
Mystery
View
6.9
The X-Files
The X-Files1998
6.6
Drama
View
6.6
Candyman
Candyman1992
6.6
Adventure
View
6.6
Mad Max
Mad Max1979
6.3
Horror
View
6.3
The Visit
The Visit2015
© 2025 MoovieTime. All rights reserved.Made with Nuxt