Basilus – Held von Rom (1954)

Basilus – Held von Rom: Directed by Victor Saville. With Virginia Mayo, Pier Angeli, Jack Palance, Paul Newman. Paul Newman – in his screen debut – plays a 1st-century Greek sculptor who is sold into slavery.

“u0026quot;The Bibleu0026quot; anthology orator Alexander Scourby (as Luke) chooses Greek sculptor Paul Newman (as Basil) to fashion u0026quot;The Silver Chaliceu0026quot; that served at Jesus Christu0026#39;s u0026quot;Last Supperu0026quot; with faces of the Lord Christ and some of his disciples. Looking tanned and handsome in Warner colors, Mr. Newman not only has trouble recreating the face of Jesus, but also choosing between bosomy Pagan-tilting Virginia Mayo (as Helena) and pretty Christian-leaning Pier Angeli (as Deborra). His cup runneth over…u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eUnlike Newman, youu0026#39;ll have no trouble figuring out where his character and this story are going…u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eGoing up are Ms. Mayou0026#39;s plucked and penciled eyebrows; going down is Jack Palance (as Simon) as the new Messiah. Donu0026#39;t be too quick with the fast-forward button, lest you miss Mr. Palanceu0026#39;s fall from grace. Newman, who herein moved from TV dramatic guest to big screen star, was not proud of this film; and, itu0026#39;s easy to see why. Itu0026#39;s a woefully misguided Biblical epic, with Newman not the least of its problems. The musical score by Franz Waxman is nicely done, especially during softer sequences.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003e**** The Silver Chalice (12/17/54) Victor Saville ~ Paul Newman, Virginia Mayo, Pier Angeli, Jack Palance”