The Greatest Story Told by Nicholas Ray You can write a lot about this film. The best thing is to compare it with the tapes of previous years, to highlight all the breakthroughs and innovations that Nicholas Ray used. You can also discuss the script of the tape, written with the participation of Ray Bradbury. But I would only highlight my impressions. Some impressions are travel notes after viewing, nothing more. The film is very important.
First of all, it is the style of the film. If you do not go into the names of the characters, their significance for world history and religion, then all events are presented here without religious awe. There is unconditional respect for events, but there is no trepidation. On the contrary, the film is very similar to the significant peplumes of those years - "Spartacus", "The Fall of the Roman Empire". The entertainment and narrative part is paid many times more attention, but the questions of miracles are less.
A lot is said about the angles, the work of the camera. It was more than progressive to get the camera to look at the crucifix from above rather than from below. The cinematography of such significant moments as the Sermon on the Mount, the crucifixion is extremely innovative. While Salome's dance lacks any elegance or grandeur. There are already predominantly close-up plans. And these visual solutions characterize this film very accurately.
The choice of performers also decides a lot. Robert Ryan as John the Baptist is something unexpected. This actor, what to hide, had the "bad guy" charisma. How many villains he played in the movies at the time. And here in Ray's picture we see a serious, strong man. This person is ready to make the most difficult decisions - enough inner power. You will not find such John the Baptist in the paintings of El Greco or Tintoretto, Caravaggio or Venetiano.
Another find is Jeffrey Hunter as Jesus. This is something unimaginable, because in such a significant role is played by a movie star, an actor choosing a genre film. In modern times, it’s kind of like being played by Ryan Reynolds or James McAvoy. The move itself is extraordinary. But what's wrong with that? On the contrary, Hunter looks confident and staid in the lead role. But his image is very realistic. He plays an outstanding man. And in this interpretation of Nicholas Ray there is a significant breakthrough from everything that was before.
So this Nicholas Ray film is very innovative, for all its modesty. Ray offers many new solutions, views on the film depiction of the story of the life of Christ. He bets on the absence of pathos, the desire to show history “as it is” (as is). He does not forget about the audience, remembering that the tape simply can not be boring. Especially such a significant tape. And all this turns out to be an ideal preparation for a much more successful cinematic work. If you think about it, Pazzolini’s “Matthew’s Gospel” drew a lot from this work by Nicholas Ray. Unfortunately, it is simply impossible to measure the impact of these two films. If it wasn’t for Ray, who knows if an Italian genius would be interested in this topic.
8 out of 10