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The Greatest Story Ever Told

  • 1965
  • G
  • 4h 20m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
12K
YOUR RATING
The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer3:30
1 Video
88 Photos
EpicHistorical EpicBiographyDramaHistory

An all-star, large scale epic movie that chronicles the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.An all-star, large scale epic movie that chronicles the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.An all-star, large scale epic movie that chronicles the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.

  • Director
    • George Stevens
  • Writers
    • Fulton Oursler
    • Henry Denker
    • James Lee Barrett
  • Stars
    • Max von Sydow
    • Dorothy McGuire
    • Charlton Heston
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    12K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • George Stevens
    • Writers
      • Fulton Oursler
      • Henry Denker
      • James Lee Barrett
    • Stars
      • Max von Sydow
      • Dorothy McGuire
      • Charlton Heston
    • 150User reviews
    • 37Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 5 Oscars
      • 1 win & 6 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 3:30
    Official Trailer

    Photos88

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    + 82
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    Top cast87

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    Max von Sydow
    Max von Sydow
    • Jesus
    Dorothy McGuire
    Dorothy McGuire
    • The Virgin Mary
    Charlton Heston
    Charlton Heston
    • John the Baptist
    Michael Anderson Jr.
    Michael Anderson Jr.
    • James the Younger
    Carroll Baker
    Carroll Baker
    • Veronica
    Ina Balin
    Ina Balin
    • Martha of Bethany
    Pat Boone
    Pat Boone
    • Angel at the Tomb
    Victor Buono
    Victor Buono
    • Sorak
    Richard Conte
    Richard Conte
    • Barabbas
    Joanna Dunham
    • Mary Magdalene
    José Ferrer
    José Ferrer
    • Herod Antipas
    Van Heflin
    Van Heflin
    • Bar Amand
    Martin Landau
    Martin Landau
    • Caiaphas
    Angela Lansbury
    Angela Lansbury
    • Claudia
    Janet Margolin
    Janet Margolin
    • Mary of Bethany
    David McCallum
    David McCallum
    • Judas Iscariot
    Roddy McDowall
    Roddy McDowall
    • Matthew
    Sal Mineo
    Sal Mineo
    • Uriah
    • Director
      • George Stevens
    • Writers
      • Fulton Oursler
      • Henry Denker
      • James Lee Barrett
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Telly Savalas shaved his head bald for his role as Pontius Pilate; he kept it shaved for the rest of his life.
    • Goofs
      Differences from the source material are not considered to be goofs, especially when relating to dramatic decisions. Many historical inaccuracies also get a pass, especially when caused by reliance on religious and/or artistic traditions.
    • Quotes

      Jesus: Do not weep for me; weep for yourselves, and for your children. For a time is coming when men will say "blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore a child." And they will say to the mountains "fall on us," and to the hills "cover us," for if these things are done when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?

    • Alternate versions
      Original Cinerama version ran 260 minutes, subsequently cut over the years. The shortest version runs 141 minutes. Numerous versions have been shown on television. Network television print has only the main cast credits at the beginning and the technical credits at the end shown page-by-page (not "rolled up" as most prints), including a credit for "Cinerama". The most common version of the film shown today runs 195 minutes with all the credits rolled up at the beginning, and the end titles showing only the words "Released through United Artists". That particular version has been available on home video and cable TV.
    • Connections
      Edited into He Walks in Beauty: The George Stevens Production 'The Greatest Story Ever Told' (2001)
    • Soundtracks
      Hallelujah Chorus
      (uncredited)
      from "The Messiah"
      Music by George Frideric Handel

    User reviews150

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10

    Well done.

    The new testament has so much about Jesus what does one include, and exclude? How long can you make such a film? My wife was taking her Catechism, and I rented a few film's about the Lord in order for her too understand the Bible better. She likes this film, but not as much as the 77 version. This film is inspiring for any Christian, and gives a message of hope for all of mankind. I love the casting, especially John Wayne as the centurion. Charalton Heston plays his best role, as John the Bapatist. Repent! He plays the crazy with passion John better than anyone else. Worth renting around Christmas to remember what the season truly is about. 7/10
    • mm-39
    • Oct 14, 2002
    • Permalink

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    FAQ19

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 9, 1965 (United Kingdom)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • George Stevens Presents The Greatest Story Ever Told
    • Filming locations
      • Arches National Park, Utah, USA
    • Production company
      • George Stevens Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      4 hours 20 minutes

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