On its premier in May 1927, the King of Kings could be compared to today's biggest blockbusters, while it attracted a larger audience than most films as some 50000 people were present just to catch a glimpse of the celebrated cast of the film.  The day after the premier the official release packed theaters to the limit as they allowed as many standing spots as the fire department would allow.  That is right, standing spots, just imaging to stand for two and half hours while viewing this epic film as it offered a silent cinematic experience.  Nonetheless, the film was accompanied by an orchestra that provided an auditory enhancement to the film while the images were moving on the silver screen.

The story needs no introduction, however, the King of Kings begins with Mary Magdalena (Jacqueline Logan) displaying her sinful lifestyle as she awaits her beloved.  When she finds out that he has abandoned her to follow Jesus (H.B. Warner) in anger she decides to visit the carpenter that she has heard so much about as he has cured blind, healed lame, and walked upon water.  When Mary Magdalena finally meets Jesus he purges her from the demons of the seven deadly sins.  This is the beginning of the Jesus' story which follows his set path to repent for the sins of humanity on the cross with his hands and feet impaled with nails.

The silence of the film provides much room for thought as visual interpretation of each scene is saturated in grand performances and detailed mise-en-scene.  The performances by the actors display meticulous details that emphasize the goodness of Jesus Christ and nature of all other characters.  The audience should pay extra attention to the movement and behavior of the characters in regards to the social setting in which they are located while viewing the film.  These movements are on occasion large and dynamic as they help convey the larger message to the audience, yet some movements among the characters are seemingly insignificant and minute.  However, it is these small movements that brings out the virtuous and compassionate nature of Jesus as it also presents the disposition of the other characters.  For example,  whenever Jesus shakes hands or touches someone he does it in a caring manner which is displayed through his full embrace of the handshake as he grabs the hand while letting the other hand gently hold onto the wrist.  These small details emphasize the goodness and willingness of him to help people choose the right path.

The director Cecil B. DeMille created an epic film that left the world with one of the grandest silent films ever made.  The film was also technically superior when it was released as the introduction and epilogue were colored and there was use of superimposed imagery, which was used when Mary Magdalena's demons were exorcised.  Cleverly Demille incorporated the written passages out of the Bible's New Testament, which improves the audience's understanding for what is being depicted.  The recent film, Passion of the Christ (2004), seems to have used large portions of this film in order to convey a similar message, but it fell short to DeMille's creation as his film has the power to withstand time.

DIRECTED BY

Cecil B. DeMille

COUNTRY

USA

Filmography links and data courtesy of