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King of Kings is a 1961 American biblical epic film directed by Nicholas Ray and produced by Samuel Bronston. The movie depicts the life story of Jesus Christ, from his birth to the crucifixion and resurrection, and his eventual ascension into heaven. The film stars Jeffrey Hunter as Jesus, Siobhan McKenna as Mary, Mother of Jesus, Robert Ryan as John the Baptist, Hurd Hatfield as Pontius Pilate, and Harry Guardino as Barabbas. The movie features an all-star cast of acclaimed actors who bring to life the biblical characters in an authentic and emotionally compelling manner.

The movie begins with the wise men traveling to Bethlehem to witness the birth of Jesus. The story then follows Jesus in his childhood and young adulthood as he slowly reveals his divine nature and starts performing miracles, such as healing the sick and the blind.

As Jesus starts to amass a loyal following, the religious and political establishment becomes wary of him. John the Baptist calls for a spiritual revolution, and Jesus' teachings and message threaten to upend the existing social order. His followers believe he has come to lead them in a rebellion against Rome, but Jesus' ultimate message is one of peace and love.

The conflict between Jesus and the Roman authorities led by Pontius Pilate ultimately leads to the crucifixion and resurrection. The movie ends with Jesus' ascension to heaven, leaving his followers to carry on his message.

King of Kings is a beautifully crafted film that manages to combine awe-inspiring spectacle with intimate character moments. The epic set pieces, such as the famous Sermon on the Mount and the crucifixion sequence, are breathtakingly staged, while the quieter scenes between the characters reveal their inner emotional turmoil.

The performances in the movie are uniformly excellent, with Jeffrey Hunter bringing a quiet intensity to his portrayal of Jesus, and Siobhan McKenna imbuing Mary with a deep sense of compassion and grace. Robert Ryan delivers a memorable performance as the fiery John the Baptist, and Hurd Hatfield is chilling as the calculating Pontius Pilate.

The film's lush production design, stunning costumes, and sweeping music score elevate the movie into a truly epic experience. King of Kings remains a classic of the biblical epic genre and a powerful testament to the enduring power of faith and redemption.

In conclusion, King of Kings is a must-see movie for anyone interested in biblical epics, with its sweeping scope, powerful performances, and emotional resonance. It is a timeless classic that continues to inspire and move audiences more than fifty years after its release.

King of Kings is a 1961 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 48 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.