Customer Reviews

The Greatest Story Ever Told (Score)

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Varese Sarabande has again done credit to the genre of great film scores with their recent release of the expanded (if not full) Alfred Newman score for George Stevens' production of "The Greatest Story Ever Told" (Newman and Stevens had also worked together on "Gunga Din," one of Newman's best efforts). The film title missed the mark a bit as far as the film is concerned. This is probably not the greatest of the Bible epics, but it is an interesting entry nevertheless. For those of us who live in the area of Lake Powell and southern Utah it is a trip to view this film with its very familiar Red Rock backdrops filling in for Palestine. And the acting was in many cases first rate. Newman's score was also an enormous plus. Perhaps not one of his best, it was certainly a great score. Based largely on a major theme that is clearly reminiscent of his earlier score for "The Robe," this is a major triumph, as is this three disc presentation. Nicely packaged and produced at an unbelievable price, this is a must for film score buffs. Disc one contains the original soundtrack recording (with updated sound)including Handel's chorus from "The Messiah" which Stevens' insisted upon using instead of Newman's own ending. Curiously, Newman's choral "Exit Music" would have been a much better fit for the film and is included here. Discs two and three include the majority of Newman's original score, as he intended it. It is really majestic stuff, although much of the score took a sombre tone. I cannot wait to enjoy this score driving down the Burr Trail. It is music that mataches the grand landscape, and the greatest story ever told.

Varese Records presents Alfred Newman's score for "The Greatest Story Ever Told" (1965/196 mins), George Stevens directs an epic that shares the story and life of Jesus Christ ~ featuring Max Von Sydow [Jesus], Dorothy McGuire [Mary], Claude Rains [Herod the Great], Charlton Heston [John the Baptist], Angela Lansbury [Claudia], Donald Pleasence [Satan, the Dark Hermit], David McCallum [Judas Iscariot], Sidney Poitier [Simon of Cyrene], Telly Savalas [Pontius Pilate], Martin Landau [Caiaphas], Robert Blake [Simon the Zealot], Jamie Farr [Thaddaeus], Roddy McDowell [Matthew], Jose Ferrer [Herod Antipas] and John Wayne [Centurion] and many more with memorable performances ~ yet at the time of release, received low praises for the director and cast.

The music, yes the music is where this film shines...Alfred Newman, one of the most respected composers of his time was given the assignment ~ it was Newman who gave us the "20th Century Fox" fanfare theme...also a number of other film scores "Anastasia", "Diary of Anne Frank", "Captain from Castile", "Gunga Din", "How The West Was Won", "How to Marry A Millionaire", "The Keys of the Kingdom", "Man of Galilee", "Mark of Zorro", "Nevada Smith", "The Razor's Edge", "The Robe", "The Song of Bernadette" and "Wuthering Heights" ~ all of them were winners.

The Greatest Story Ever Told is here complete for the very first time and has everything from "Original Soundtrack Album" and then the "Entire Film Score" on the last two discs...making this a three disc "film-score-buffs" dream come true ~ completely remastered, with liner notes that will tell all the inside scoop from author, screenwriters, director and composer...just the way we like 'em!

Total Time: 3-CD-Set ~ Varese Records 66604 ~ (9/14/2004)

A superior release in terms of sound quality over the original Rhino release . George Stevens always said that he was not making a film for the moment but for the ages. He was correct. Forty years later the film seems richer than ever and the controversial casting of stars is no longer as jarring as it may have first appeared. The film was intended as a pageant and a poetic meditation about mankind's greatest story using references to iconic images from art . The film and its score have survived the negative critical Reaction of 1965 . Now if only the film could be restored to it's original premiere version.

This movie is one of my favorite movies. I love Jesus and as I christian, I am delighted to let everyone know to watch such a beautiful movie. I hope Hollywood could keep making such treasures for everyone to watch. Bravo!!