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The Greatest Story Ever Told

Updated: 12/11/2025, 12:15:52 PM Wikipedia source

The Greatest Story Ever Told is a 1965 American epic religious film that retells the Biblical account of Jesus of Nazareth, from the Nativity through to the Ascension. Produced and directed by George Stevens, the film features an ensemble cast and includes the final film performances of Claude Rains and Joseph Schildkraut. The origins of The Greatest Story Ever Told trace back to a half-hour radio series in 1947, inspired by the four canonical Gospels. The series was later adapted into a 1949 novel by Fulton Oursler. In 1954, Twentieth Century Fox acquired the film rights to Oursler's novel, but development stalled for several years. In November 1958, Stevens joined the project, agreeing to write and direct. However, in September 1961, Fox withdrew due to concerns over the film's projected cost and its thematic similarities to King of Kings (1961), another religious biopic about Jesus. A few months later, Stevens moved the project to United Artists. He opted to film in the Southwestern United States rather than the Middle East, and principal photography began on October 29, 1962. Filming fell behind schedule due to Stevens' meticulous shooting techniques, prompting David Lean and Jean Negulesco to assist with some sequences. Production concluded on August 1, 1963. The film premiered at the Warner Cinerama Theatre in New York City on February 15, 1965, receiving a polarized response from critics. It was also a box office disappointment, earning $15.5 million against a $20 million budget. Despite this, it received five Academy Award nominations.

Infobox

Directed by
George Stevens
Screenplay by
George StevensJames Lee Barrett
Based on
The Greatest Story Ever Told1949 novelby Fulton OurslerHenry DenkerBible
Produced by
George Stevens
Starring
mw- Max von Sydow Michael Anderson Jr. Carroll Baker Ina Balin Pat Boone Victor Buono Richard Conte Joanna Dunham José Ferrer Van Heflin Charlton Heston Martin Landau Angela Lansbury Janet Margolin David McCallum Roddy McDowall Dorothy McGuire Sal Mineo Nehemiah Persoff Donald Pleasence Sidney Poitier Claude Rains Gary Raymond Telly Savalas Joseph Schildkraut Paul Stewart Harold J. Stone John Wayne Shelley Winters Ed Wynn Members of the Inbal Dance Theater of Israel
Cinematography
Loyal GriggsWilliam C. Mellor
Edited by
Harold F. KressArgyle Nelson Jr.Frank O'Neil
Music by
Alfred Newman
Productioncompany
George Stevens Productions
Distributed by
United Artists
Release date
February 15, 1965 (1965-02-15) (United States)
Running time
199 minutes(see below)
Country
United States
Language
English
Budget
$20 million
Box office
$15.5 million

Tables

· Reception › Awards and nominations
Academy Awards
Academy Awards
Award
Academy Awards
Category
Best Art Direction – Color
Nominee(s)
Art Direction: Richard Day, William J. Creber, and David S. Hall; Set Decoration: Ray Moyer, Fred M. MacLean, and Norman Rockett
Result
Nominated
Best Cinematography – Color
Best Cinematography – Color
Award
Best Cinematography – Color
Category
William C. Mellor and Loyal Griggs
Nominee(s)
Nominated
Best Costume Design – Color
Best Costume Design – Color
Award
Best Costume Design – Color
Category
Marjorie Best and Vittorio Nino Novarese
Nominee(s)
Nominated
Best Music Score – Substantially Original
Best Music Score – Substantially Original
Award
Best Music Score – Substantially Original
Category
Alfred Newman
Nominee(s)
Nominated
Best Special Visual Effects
Best Special Visual Effects
Award
Best Special Visual Effects
Category
J. McMillan Johnson
Nominee(s)
Nominated
International Film Music Critics Association Awards
International Film Music Critics Association Awards
Award
International Film Music Critics Association Awards
Category
Best Re-Release of a Previously Existing Score
Nominee(s)
Alfred Newman
Result
Nominated
National Board of Review Awards
National Board of Review Awards
Award
National Board of Review Awards
Category
Top Ten Films
Nominee(s)
7th Place
Award
Category
Nominee(s)
Result
Ref.
Academy Awards
Best Art Direction – Color
Art Direction: Richard Day, William J. Creber, and David S. Hall; Set Decoration: Ray Moyer, Fred M. MacLean, and Norman Rockett
Nominated
Best Cinematography – Color
William C. Mellor and Loyal Griggs
Nominated
Best Costume Design – Color
Marjorie Best and Vittorio Nino Novarese
Nominated
Best Music Score – Substantially Original
Alfred Newman
Nominated
Best Special Visual Effects
J. McMillan Johnson
Nominated
International Film Music Critics Association Awards
Best Re-Release of a Previously Existing Score
Alfred Newman
Nominated
National Board of Review Awards
Top Ten Films
7th Place

References

  1. Posthumous nomination.
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  3. The Numbers
    https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Greatest-Story-Ever-Told-The#tab=summary
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  5. Los Angeles Times
    https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/385753111/
  6. Variety
    https://archive.org/stream/variety219-1960-06#page/n283/mode/1up
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  8. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/1958/11/19/archives/stevens-to-film-a-life-of-christ-plans-the-greatest-story-ever-told.html
  9. Variety
    http://www.archive.org/stream/variety212-1958-11#page/n247/mode/1up
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  11. Variety
    https://archive.org/details/variety-1961-09/page/n66/mode/1up?view=theater
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  13. Variety
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  58. "MGM Best of Family Collection Blu-ray"
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  65. Time
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  66. The New Yorker
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  67. Life
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  68. Rotten Tomatoes
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  69. "The 38th Academy Awards (1966) Nominees and Winners"
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  70. The New York Times
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  71. "1998 IFMCA Awards"
    https://filmmusiccritics.org/awards-archive/1998-fmcj-awards/
  72. "1965 Award Winners"
    https://nationalboardofreview.org/award-years/1965/
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