The King of Kings
Director: Cecil B. DeMille
Year Released: 1928
Rating: 2.0
Silent rendition of the Christ story, from his meeting with Mary Magdalene to his Resurrection, complete with inter-titles straight out of the Bible (to ensure accuracy!) and a focus on superficial matters, like the complexity of the sets and costumes. Although an earnest story about Jesus' crucifixion requires a modicum of respect for the narrative, this is so sanctimonious it feels as if DeMille had to make it as part of his penance. Jesus fixes a toy, Jesus hugs a lamb, Jesus glows as if radioactive - compare and contrast with Pasolini's Jesus in his exceptional The Gospel According to Matthew, with its dust and heat and cold stares and bare essentials. Which is better? You know what I think: I'm going with the Italian.
