George Stevens directs Max Von Sydow, David McCallum and Telly Savalas in this gargantuan biblical epic recreating the life of Jesus Christ.

Stodgy and turgid and pious but with shards of large scale gorgeousness poking through the funereal worthiness. It is a great story but not when told sloooooooooooowwwwwwlllyyyy like this. Donald Pleasance manages to be really creepy as the devil pretending to be a hermit in a cave, tempting honky Jesus while he gnaws on some bloody bones. But then they overuse him in returning cameos. Save yourself a day and watch Mel’s exploitation nasty The Passion of The Christ instead.

4