The Greatest Story Ever Told is an American classic film that has gotten fans excited to know the filming locations of the movie. Ever heard about or watched the film? It is worth a watch. The Greatest Story Ever Told is an American epic film directed by George Stevens. The movie is based on Henry Decker and Fulton Oursler’s Bible of the same name. The film is produced by George Stevens, and the amazing cinematography is done by Loyal Griggs and William C. Mellor for the film.
The film got produced under George Stevens Production and premiered on February 15, 1965, with a run time of 137 to 260 minutes. The film was well-received by the audience, but they felt the repeated Jesus preaching was a little too much. The viewers felt the pop-up of familiar faces in the cameo role jarred the illusion and was distracting.
The film is powerful and moving that demonstrates vast cinematic resources. The film is an austere Christain classic story that doesn’t offer any excitement through it. The film is too long and monotonous for the viewers and would only be loved by the audience who likes the bible or like to hear bible sermons.
The film stars Max von Sydow in the part of Jesus, Dorothy McGuire in the role of the Virgin Mary, Charlton Heston in the character of John the Baptist, Claude Rains in the role of Herod the Great, Joes Ferrer in the part of Herod Antipas, Telly Savalas as Pontius Pilate, Martin Landau in the character of Caiaphas, David Pleasence as The Dark Hermit, Michael Anderson as James, Ed Wynn in the role of Old Aram, Joseph Schidkraut as Nicodemus, and Roddy McDowall in the part of Mattew as the star cast.
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Premise Of The Greatest Story Ever Told
The film is in two parts, and the first part follows the birth of Lord Jesus or Messiah. The initial plot follows three wise men who follow a brightly shining star to Jerusalem, the newborn king’s search. The three men get summoned by King Herod The Great and informed of a Messiah mentioned in prophecies by the King’s advisors.
The three priests are ordered by King Herod to visit Bethlehem to check if the said child is born. The priests are followed by guards as they look over the existence of Jesus. The priest gifts the child of Joseph and Mary a gold handkerchief when an angel’s voice warns the couple to take Jesus and flee. The spies who had followed the three priests informed the ruler of the birth of baby Jesus, and he directed them to kill off all the newborns in Bethlehem.
King Herold died shortly after ordering this, but Mary and Joseph had already fled with baby Jesus to Egypt for safety. Years have passed since the birth of Jesus, and now John the Baptist had begun to preach at the Jordan River and baptize the ones who have come to repent. Adult Jesus comes to John for baptism and goes to a nearby mountain, where he finds a cave where the dark hermit resides.
After some time, people refuse to believe in Jesus and his miracles. Jesus reunites with his mother after a confrontation with people in Nazareth. The film’s first half ends with Jesus bringing his brother back to life, thus astonishing people with his miracle.
The film’s second half begins with Judas questioning why Mary is anointing Jesus with expensive oils, and Jesus informs him that she is preparing him for his death. The film ends with Jesus being laid to rest and ascending to heaven, leaving his followers with his final commands as he gets engulfed in clouds. Jesus states he will always be there with his followers in their hearts.
The Greatest Story Ever Told Filming Locations
The filming of the film began on October 29, 1962, along the Colorado River and wrapped up by the beginning of August 1, 1963. The filming locations include Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California. The movie’s filming was delayed significantly due to Stevens ordering more than 30 different camera set-ups.
1. Green River Overlook
The Green River Overlook, Canyonlands National Park, located in Utah, California, was selected by the production crew for shooting the scene where Sermons are given in the mountains by Jesus. The location preserves a beautiful landscape eroded into numerous canyons. The park is open for visitors and serves as a recreational activity for families.
2. Moab
Moad, located in Utah, U.S.A., was selected by the production crew to shoot the scenes in the city of Bethlehem. The interiors and exteriors of Bethlehem, with the birth of Jesus and Mary and Joseph fleeing to Egypt, were shot here. Moab is the largest city in Grand County and is known for its dramatic scenery. The filming location Moab is open for tourists to visit throughout the year.
3. Pyramid Lake
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Reservation, located in Nevada, U.S.A., was selected by the production crew to be used as the Sea of Galilee, Capernaum. The sequence following the baptism of Jesus got shot here.
4. Utah
Utah, located in the U.S.A., was selected by the production team as the primary location to shoot the scenes involving the Holy Land. The site is known for its landscapes, which were used to make the film appear authentic.
5. Death Valley
Death Valley, located in California, was used by the production crew as the primary location to shoot the scenes where Jesus had completed his forty days journey into the wilderness. Death Valley is a beautiful desert valley in Eastern California that is often used as a filming location.
Prime Locations
Some other locations used by the production crew to shoot some sections of the film in Lake Powell and Dead Horse Point, located in Utah. The sites are beautiful, scenic, and open for tourists to visit.
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