König der Könige (1961)

König der Könige: Directed by Nicholas Ray. With Jeffrey Hunter, Siobhan McKenna, Hurd Hatfield, Ron Randell. The temporary physical life of the Biblical Savior, Jesus Christ.

“Everything fits together as soon as the film opens with Orson Wellesu0026#39; narrating the story of the Son of God. Little Jesus grows up to be the very American and impossibly blue-eyed Jeffrey Hunter (his opening scene with Robert Ryanu0026#39;s Baptist is superb), who goes on to cure the lame, the insane, the blind, rehabilitate Mary Magdelene, and all the usual things. Hunter is very good in the role, which may have been surprising at the time given his previous form in Westerns (and later in Star Treku0026#39;s pilot episode!). Other good points – Hurd u0026#39;Dorian Grayu0026#39; Hatfield as Pilate, the dance of the seven veils, the ending, the glorious score …u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIt fits together better than The Greatest Story Ever Told, which got too starry and was spoiled by John Wayneu0026#39;s son of gawd. Here everyone knows their place and the religious context remains unscathed by the whitewash of Hollywood. Excellent.”