Several years ago, it appeared as though the Biblical Epic had risen in Hollywood.
And then theres also Burnett and Roma DowneysBen-Hurremakein 2016 with Jack Houston.
For those worried about sinfully smutty entertainment, Bible-themed movies allow one to embrace those inclinations sin-free.
But they arent playing like brothers and sisters.
Its worth noting that John the Baptist is one of the New Testaments greatest heroes.
The movie did boffo box office and won a record 11 Academy Awards.
The Greatest Storyfaired a little better creatively as directed by George Stevens and an uncredited David Lean.
The picture also featured Heston in his biblical hat trick.
In Emperor Neros (Charles Laughton) Rome, DeMille could tease audiences with every imaginable salacious pagan fantasy.
Movies got bigger, longer, and more visually decadent than Romes bread and circuses.
But none were bigger thanThe Ten Commandmentsin 1956.
Unlike William Wyler, who later saidBen-Hurwas meant to be a thinking mans biblical [i.e.
It is also likely why he served as the omnipresent narrator bearing witness to this tale of Jewish liberation.
One could almost wish he also dubbed himself over Anne Baxters line readings as well.
And as he passed, so too did his genre of choice.
By the timeThe Greatest Story Ever Toldnearly capsized UA, younger moviegoers were deserting Hollywood tropes in droves.
And yet… that brief shining moment of auteurism running Hollywood has long ended.
And what could be more recognized than the Bible?
*** A version of this article was first published on March 31, 2014.
