The king of kings [videorecording] / Janus Films ; Cecil B. DeMille [presents] ; Pathé Exchange, Inc. ; by Jeanie Macpherson. Cecil B. DeMille [presents] ; a Keith T. Smith Modern Sound Pictures Incorporated release ; Pathé Exchange, Inc. ; Cinema Corp. of America.
Format:
[videorecording] /
Publisher:
Criterion Collection,
Copyright Date:
c2004
Description:
2 videodiscs (267 min.) : sil., b&w and col. (restored tinting) ; 4 3/4 in. + 1 booklet ([40] p. : col. ill. ; 19 cm.)
H.B. Warner (Jesus, the Christ), Dorothy Cumming (Mary, the mother), Jacqueline Logan (Mary Magdalene), Rudolph Schildkraut (Caiaphas), Sam De Grasse (The Pharisee), Kenneth Thomson (Lazarus), Ernest Torrence (Peter), Joseph Schildkraut (Judas Iscariot), James Neill (James, brother of John), Joseph Striker (John, the beloved), Robert Edeson (Matthew, the publican), Sidney D'Albrook (Thomas, the doubter), David Imboden (Andrew, a fisherman), Charles Belcher (Philip), Clayton Packard (Bartholomew), Robert Ellsworth (Simon, the zealot), Charles Requa (James The Lesser), John T. Prince (Thaddeus), Victor Varconi (Pontius Pilate), Majel Coleman (Proculla), Montagu Love (Roman Centurion), George Siegmann (Barabbas). Originally released as motion pictures in 1927 and 1928. Disc 1 special features include: Opening night [text feature]; Original program [slide show]; Press book [slide show]; Blessings from the clergy [text feature]; Trailers (3 min.); The score [optional audio/music track]. Disc 2 special features include: Scenes from the making of "The king of kings" (13 min.); Stills gallery [slide show]; Sketches by Dan Sayre Groesbeck [slide show]; Portraits by W. M. Mortensen; Original 1928 score by Hugo Reisenfeld [optional audio/music track]; Alternate 2004 score by Timothy J. Tikker [optional audio/music track]. Booklet includes essays "Showman of piety" by Peter Matthews, "The King of Kings" by Robert S. Birchard, "Hollywood moves to the Holy Land" by Grace Kingsley (1927), "The screen as a religious teacher" by Cecil B. DeMille (1927).
Contents:
(155 min.). Logos/Opening titles -- Prologue -- House of Mary Magdalene -- "Take me to Him" -- Jesus the great physician -- Seven deadly sins -- House of Caiaphas -- Judas fails to heal -- "Follow me, Matthew" -- "Suffer little children" -- Tomb of Lazarus -- Adulteress -- At the temple -- Den of thieves -- "He is our king" -- Thirty pieces of silver -- Last supper -- Garden of Gethsemane -- Peter denies Jesus -- Hall of judgment -- Crown of thorns -- "Crucify him!" -- Way of the cross -- Calvary -- God's wrath -- Resurrection -- Color bars (155 min.). (112 min.). Logos/Opening titles -- House of Mary Magdalene -- "Take me to Him" -- Jesus the great physician -- Seven deadly sins -- House of Caiaphas -- Adulteress -- At the temple -- "Suffer little children" -- Tomb of Lazarus -- Den of thieves -- "He is our king" -- Thirty pieces of silver -- Last supper -- Garden of Gethsemane -- Hall of judgment -- Crown of thorns -- "Crucify him!" -- Way of the cross -- Calvary -- God's wrath -- Resurrection -- Color bars (112 min.).
Summary:
Cecil B DeMille made movies for and of the masses, highlighting myths, mystery, and oversized stories. He excelled in the telling of the ultimate legends carved out of the Bible. The simple, straightforward saga of the last days of Christ's life is told in "The King of Kings." Told with DeMille's trademark opulent sets, incredible effects, and a cast of thousands, it is carefully crafted, flawless film making filled with as much meaning and message as possible. In 1927, working with the biggest budget in the history of Hollywood, DeMille spun the life of Christ into one of the highest-grossing, artistically executed films of all time.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.