King of Kings (1961)

Film and Plot Synopsis

The film is the cinematic retelling of the life of Jesus Christ from his birth in Bethlehem to his crucifixion and subsequent resurrection. The film includes all of the major events referred to in the New Testament, including his baptism by John the Baptist; Jesus’ miracles of healing disabled people and creating food for the needy; and the last supper. Jeffrey Hunter plays Jesus and leads an international cast including Siobhán McKenna, Ron Randell, Rip Torn, and Brigid Bazlen.

‘King of Kings’ Movie Summary

In 63 B.C., Pompey (Conrado San Martin) conquers Jerusalem and ravages the city. Pompey seeks the treasure of Solomon and massacres the priests guarding the treasure before entering their Temple. However, he finds that the treasure is only a collection of scrolls of the Torah. Pompey removes the scrolls from the Temple and contemplates setting them on fire. However, an old priest silently pleads with Pompey not to burn their religious treasure. Pompey relents and hands the scrolls to the old man before leaving to conduct further massacres in nearby villages and towns.

Many years later, a new series of rebellions break out against the Roman authority. In response, the Romans crucify many of the leaders and install Herod the Great (Grégoire Aslan) on the throne of Judea. At the same time, a simple carpenter, Joseph (Gérard Tichy), and his pregnant wife, Mary (Siobhán McKenna), travel to Bethlehem to participate in the ordered census. Joseph and Mary are forced to stay in a stable after finding no room at the inns. In the stable, Mary gives birth to Jesus Christ. Jesus is visited by three shepherds who have followed the Magi from the East for the purpose of giving him gifts and to worship him. Herod is informed of the prophesied birth of a child-king and orders the centurion Lucius of Cyrene (Ron Randell) to take his men to Bethlehem and slaughter all newborn male children.

Fortunately, Joseph and Mary escape Bethlehem with Jesus before the Massacre of Innocents occurs. Not long after, Herod dies after he is killed by his ambitious son Herod Antipas (Frank Thring), who assumes the throne in his father’s place. Joseph and Mary raise Jesus in Nazareth. When Jesus is twelve, Joseph and Mary are visited by Lucius for a new census. Lucius realizes that Jesus escaped the massacre, but Lucius does nothing other than to order that Joseph and Mary register their son’s birth before the year’s end.

Many years later, Jewish rebels, led by Barabbas (Harry Guardino) and Judas Iscariot (Rip Torn), attack a caravan carrying the next governor of Judea, Pontius Pilate (Hurd Hatfield) and his wife Claudia (Viveca Lindfors). The attack is unsuccessful, largely due to the swift action of Lucius. Barabbas and Judas escape with their lives but are forced into hiding. Not long after, Pilate and Herod Antipas meet on the banks of the River Jordan. John the Baptist (Robert Ryan) is present and is preaching to the crowds. A thirty-year-old Jesus (Jeffrey Hunter) arrives and is baptized by John. John recognizes Jesus as the Messiah. Following the baptism, Jesus goes into the desert where he is tempted by Satan. Jesus resists the temptation of the devil and leaves the desert after forty days. From there, Jesus travels to Galilee, where he recruits his Apostles.

Back in Jerusalem, Harod Antipas arrests John the Baptist fearing that he is becoming too influential. Jesus travels to Jerusalem and is allowed to visit John in prison by Lucius. Lucius warns Jesus not to become disruptive. Hearing of Jesus, Judas leaves Barabbas’ group and joins the Apostles. Jesus begins to preach and heal the sick around Jerusalem. Jesus’ speeches draw large crowds. One of the speeches is attended by Claudia and Lucius, who are moved by Jesus’ words of peace. Not long after, Herod orders the execution of John to please his heretic stepdaughter, Salomé (Brigid Bazlen), who despises John.

Woman, is not your cup of abominations full enough? John the Baptist (Robert Ryan)

As Jesus’ popularity continues to grow, Herod, Pilate, and the High Priest Caiaphas (Guy Rolfe) become troubled. Herod fears that Jesus is just another John the Baptist. At the same time, Barabbas plots a revolt in Jerusalem during Passover. At the same time, Jesus enters the city in triumph and goes to the Temple to preach. Undeterred, Barabbas leads his rebels in an assault on Antonia Fortress. However, Pilate’s legions are alerted to the attack and quash the revolt. The rebels are massacred by Pilate’s men, leaving only Barabbas as the sole survivor. The rebel leader is arrested and imprisoned.

Not long after, Jesus meets with his disciples for the “last supper.” After the meal, Jesus goes to pray at Gethsemane. Judas seeks to have Jesus intervene and free Judea from the Romans. To force Jesus’ hand, Judas delivers him to the Jewish authorities. Jesus is drug before Caiaphas, and then before Pilate. Pilate begins a trial against Jesus with Lucius acting as his defense attorney. However, Pilate senses that the issue is one of Jewish sensibilities and sends Jesus to Herod Antipas. Herod also refuses to become involved and sends Jesus back to Pilate.

Pilate is furious at the return of Jesus from Herod and orders his soldiers to scourge Jesus. Meanwhile, Pilate agrees to release one prisoner from imprisonment. The people demand the release of Barabbas. Pilate bows to the will of the people and releases Barabbas. Lucius informs Barabbas that Pilate has sentenced Jesus to be crucified. Jesus is forced to wear a crown of thorns by Lucius’ men and to carry his cross to Golgotha. Once there, Jesus is crucified with two thieves – a penitent thief named Dismas (Luis Prendas) and an impenitent thief named Gestas (Barry Keegan).

Judas is overcome with guilt for his betrayal of Jesus that resulted in his Messiah’s death. He hangs himself, and his body is found by Barabbas. Jesus dies on the cross in front of his mother, Pilate’s wife Claudia, Lucius, the apostle John (Antonio Mayans), and a few soldiers. After Jesus’ death, Lucius states “He is truly the Christ.” Jesus’ body is removed from the cross and taken to a rock tomb. Two day later, Mary Magdalene (Carmen Sevilla), whom Jesus prevented from being stoned by an angry mob, finds the tomb empty. She encounters the risen Jesus.

The film ends on the shores of Lake Tiberias. Jesus appears to his Apostles for the last time. Jesus tells them to bring his message to the ends of the world. Only his shadow is visible, which forms the shape of the cross. As his Apostles leave, the shadow of Jesus falls across the ocean, symbolizing Jesus’ ascent into Heaven.