Product Details

• Actors: Jeffrey Hunter, Siobhan McKenna, Hurd Hatfield, Ron Randell, Viveca Lindfors
• Directors: Nicholas Ray
• Writers: Philip Yordan, Ray Bradbury
• Producers: Alan Brown, Jaime Prades, Samuel Bronston
• Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• DVD Release Date: February 25, 2003
• Run Time: 168 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (220 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00007K020
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #24,122 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "King of Kings" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This 1961 version of Jesus' story gives historical context to the best-known Biblical tale and features many memorable moments, such as a moving Sermon on the Mount and a vixenish Salome dancing for her stepfather in a performance that rivals today's MTV video offerings. Orson Welles keeps the 168-minute film moving along with informative narration helpful to those who haven't read the New Testament in a while. Made with backgrounds that resemble Southern California more than Palestine and a European and American cast--including a blonde, blue-eyed Jesus and an Irish-accented Mary--this movie has the definite stamp of Hollywood. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Product Description

The life of Jesus Christ is powerfully chronicled in this intelligent, gripping epic starring JEFFREY HUNTER, ROBERT RYAN, RIP TORN and a cast of thousands. From the producer of the epic spectaculars El Cid and The Fall of the Roman Empire and the director of Rebel Without a Cause and 55 Days at Peking comes a vivid retelling of the world's greatest story.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

104 of 106 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An intelligent, inspiring life of Christ. May 14, 1998

By A Customer

Format:VHS Tape

"King of Kings" was my favorite religious motion picture when growing up, and I believe it still is. When MGM first released it in 1961, movie critics irreverently dubbed it "I Was a Teenage Jesus", since the role of Christ was given to teen idol Jeffrey Hunter. In hindsight, it was an unfair appraisal. Unlike other actors who have played Jesus in the more sublime, "stained-glass" manner that appears to be the norm, Hunter's portrayal showed a very human, energetic Messiah whose divinity still could not be denied. Interestingly enough, "King of Kings" was directed by Nicholas Ray, who six years earlier had directed James Dean in "Rebel Without a Cause". This time around, our "Rebel" has a well-defined Cause which places Him at odds with the religious and civil authorities of His day. The film's international supporting cast consists mainly of lesser-known character actors whose performances are mostly able. The great actor/filmmaker Orson Welles gives an uncredited performance as the film's narrator; curiously, the narration was written by science fiction author Ray Bradbury, who is also uncredited. The film's stirring music was composed by Miklos Rozsa, who was no stranger to religious epics (the soundtracks to "Quo Vadis?" and "Ben-Hur" stand out among his other works). Beautifully filmed in Spain, "King of Kings" is an intelligent and reverent profile of He who has been the Way, the Truth, and the Life to hundreds of millions for almost 2000 years. END

69 of 76 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Hunter as Jesus Shines! October 7, 2000

By Benjamin J Burgraff VINE™ VOICE

Format:VHS Tape|Amazon Verified Purchase

'King of Kings' features Jeffrey Hunter's finest performance, as a young, dynamic Jesus of Nazareth, and his intrerpretation, open and earnest, is the best part of a movie both uneven and flawed.

Produced by many of the people responsible for 'Ben Hur', the film utilizes some of the same sets, actors (Frank Thring appears in major roles in both films), and composer (Miklos Rozsa, whose score for 'King of Kings' was one of his finest). The cast was fleshed out by respected actors (Robert Ryan is too old but charismatic as John the Baptist, Siobhan McKenna is a glowing Mary, Brigid Bazlen, a deliciously wicked and oversexed Salome, Harry Guardino, an 'over-the-top' Barabbas, a VERY young Rip Torn scores as Judas). While the cast didn't have the 'star power' of 'Ben Hur', or many other Christian epics, the actors, by and large, perform credibly in their roles, particularly Hurd Hatfield and Viveca Lindfors, as Pilate and his wife, Claudia, and Ron Randell as Tribune Lucius.

The film was a MUCH less expensive project than 'Ben Hur'; the budget restraints show most glaringly in recreating Jesus' ministry (most of Christ's miracles are only referred to, not shown), and extras casting (Spanish townspeople, overdubbed with some truly RIPE dialogue!).

The film works best when focusing on Jesus; unfortunately, it veers off into distracting subplots about Barabbas and the zealots, and the decadence of Herod's court. These stories consume a LOT of screen time, and damage the overall impact of the film.

Yet rising above all this is Jeffrey Hunter's interpretation of the Savior. Easily the most audience-friendly of all the actors who have assailed the role, Hunter took a lot of flack for his 'matinee idol' good looks, and piercing blue eyes, but his kindness, his sincerity, and the complete believability with which he delivers Christ's words overcome any qualms about his appearance! The Sermon on the Mount is a film high point, and magnificent; the Crucifixion and Resurrection have the kind of power that can bring a lump to your throat, even after repeated viewings!

While 'King of Kings' lacks the big names and budget of 'The Greatest Story Ever Told', or the emotional core of 'Jesus of Nazareth' or 'The Last Temptation of Christ', in Jeffrey Hunter, the film presents possibly the most compassionate of all screen Messiahs, and makes this film a MUST for the holidays, and your collection!

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hollywood's Best Jesus Movie December 18, 2005

By informednow VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD

I first saw this when I was young and was thrilled to find it out on DVD. I believe this is Hollywood's best portrayal of Christ despite some innaccuracies. Jeffery Hunter did an awesome job of acting, giving us a dignified, majestic, powerful version of Christ. His piercing blue Angelo-Saxon eyes (much criticized over the years) are key to conveying an other-wordly demeanor about Christ, even if they are historically inaccurate, and who cares? The scenery is lush with many extras and costumes; there is much drama and spectacle without the use of computerized graphics. The acting is all well done and the casting perfect. I must comment on the music, also. It is spectacular, well worth an Oscar in my opinion.