Cecil B. De Mille's EPIC "The King of Kings" is his New Testament follow-up to the Old Testament EPIC "The Ten Commandments" (1923). These films are better than their sound-era re-makes; their lack of spoken dialog makes them seem more reverent, somehow. DeMille even promises this, "play (is) a reverent part in the spirit of (Christ's) great command." To introduce his version of Jesus Christ (H.B. Warner), "The King of Kings" heals a blind girl - as the girl opens her eyes, Mr. Warner becomes the Christian sin-savior. It's one of many marvelous bits of film-making. For its time, this was a very artistic, well-produced film.
In a foreword to accompany this picture, DeMille wrote, "At no time in the world's history has humanity so hungered for the Truth. Science has declared there is a God. And a groping, eager World cries, 'How may we find Him?' The answer goes back two thousand years, to a Man who stood with a little band of ragged followers in the midst of bigotry, cruelty and ignorance - lighting with the torch of His own life the flame of hope in the heart of man and showing us by sublime Sacrifice - Death and Resurrection - our own Immortality."
DeMille takes liberties with the story, but doesn't waver too far from what could have happened in the lives of the characters. For example, since the affairs of Mary Magdalene (Jacqueline Logan) aren't explicitly documented, DeMille (with writer Jeanie Macpherson) creates one, to introduce and move the story along. With a prominently jeweled bust, Ms. Logan's "Mary" meets Christ after learning her lover, Judas Iscariot (Joseph Schildkraut), is spending too much time with the Divine one. But, in casting an older man as Christ, DeMille helps avoid possibly making Christ appear too erotic.
The film benefits from some story tinkering; however, it still plays like a series of stilted vignettes - most of the time. One of the more memorable moments occurs when a girl asks Christ to "heal" her doll's broken leg. This simple scene stands out, due to its lack of miraculous content. The "special effects" highlight in "King of Kings" is the rollicking crucifixion; and, like "Ten Commandments", some color footage is included. Watch closely, and you'll see the character "Judas" steal the picture; and, overall, Mr. Schildkraut's hanging disciple is the film's most memorable character.
******** The King of Kings (4/19/27) Cecil B. DeMille ~ H.B. Warner, Joseph Schildkraut, Jacqueline Logan
In a foreword to accompany this picture, DeMille wrote, "At no time in the world's history has humanity so hungered for the Truth. Science has declared there is a God. And a groping, eager World cries, 'How may we find Him?' The answer goes back two thousand years, to a Man who stood with a little band of ragged followers in the midst of bigotry, cruelty and ignorance - lighting with the torch of His own life the flame of hope in the heart of man and showing us by sublime Sacrifice - Death and Resurrection - our own Immortality."
DeMille takes liberties with the story, but doesn't waver too far from what could have happened in the lives of the characters. For example, since the affairs of Mary Magdalene (Jacqueline Logan) aren't explicitly documented, DeMille (with writer Jeanie Macpherson) creates one, to introduce and move the story along. With a prominently jeweled bust, Ms. Logan's "Mary" meets Christ after learning her lover, Judas Iscariot (Joseph Schildkraut), is spending too much time with the Divine one. But, in casting an older man as Christ, DeMille helps avoid possibly making Christ appear too erotic.
The film benefits from some story tinkering; however, it still plays like a series of stilted vignettes - most of the time. One of the more memorable moments occurs when a girl asks Christ to "heal" her doll's broken leg. This simple scene stands out, due to its lack of miraculous content. The "special effects" highlight in "King of Kings" is the rollicking crucifixion; and, like "Ten Commandments", some color footage is included. Watch closely, and you'll see the character "Judas" steal the picture; and, overall, Mr. Schildkraut's hanging disciple is the film's most memorable character.
******** The King of Kings (4/19/27) Cecil B. DeMille ~ H.B. Warner, Joseph Schildkraut, Jacqueline Logan