Greatest Story Ever Told, The from the collection of Blackfriars Gallery and Library

Greatest Story Ever Told, The, 1965

print on paper

41 x 26 in

The film, an adaptation of George Steven's the Life of Jesus, represented the apex of the postwar biblical epic era, with all the budgetary excess, spectacle, and technological innovation that implies. It was shot in 70mm Cinerama, which required a specially-designed theater with a massive curved screen and three projectors to produce the full effect. The film premiered at a turgid 4 hours and 20 minutes, but was cut down in subsequent releases. The film focuses primarily on Jesus’ teachings, along with the biographical elements of his life and the political and religious context that led to his Crucifixion. Although the miracles of Jesus are discussed with concern by the High Priest Caiaphas (Martin Landau) and his officials, the only miracle actually portrayed in the film is the raising of Lazarus from the tomb (the moment portrayed on the poster). The production ran into massive cost overruns, and the film did not do well at the box office. The film received five Academy Award nominations for technical achievements like cinematography, but none for its performances, directing, or writing. After The Greatest Story Ever Told, the writing may have been on the wall – that movie audiences had reached their limit for overwrought biblical spectacles.

Email Facebook X LinkedIn Pinterest

From Blackfriars Gallery and Library

Gutenberg Bible (Pelplin Gutenberg Bible) Facsimile, 2004

print on paper

17 x 12.5 x 6 in
Paolina Nicolas

Guadalupe Rosary, 2000

clay
Gustav Dore

Gospel According to Saint Matthew, The (El Evangelio Segun San Mateo, Spain), 1965

Lithograph

41.5 x 30 in
Gospel According to St. Matthew (L'Evangile Selon St. Matthieu, France), 1964

poster

61 x 44.75 in
Gospel According to St. Matthew (Das 1. Evangelium - Matthaus, Germany), 1964

poster

33 x 23.25 in
Gunnar Torhamn

Golgotha (Golgata , Sweden), 1935

Lithograph
Habit d'un Simple Pretre, c. 1730

Ink On Paper

14 x 9 in
Arnold Houbraken

Gekruiste Christus, 1725

Ink On Paper

7.75 x 6 in

View All Artworks

Additional Details

Additional Artworks

Gutenberg Bible (Pelplin Gutenberg Bible) Facsimile, 2004

Guadalupe Rosary, 2000

Gospel According to Saint Matthew, The (El Evangelio Segun San Mateo, Spain), 1965

Gospel According to St. Matthew (L'Evangile Selon St. Matthieu, France), 1964

Gospel According to St. Matthew (Das 1. Evangelium - Matthaus, Germany), 1964

Golgotha (Golgata , Sweden), 1935

Habit d'un Simple Pretre, c. 1730

Gekruiste Christus, 1725