Cecil B. DeMille, Paramount's master showman, would revisit the biblical epic many times over the course of his long and varied career, culminating in 1956 with his grand-scale version of THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. The beginning of his lifelong fascination with biblical history can be seen in this silent interpretation of the life of Christ that combines DeMille's love of visual spectacle and historical realism with his penchant for high melodrama. DeMille retells the story from the point of view of Mary Magdalene (Dorothy Cumming), once a courtesan for the decadent and gluttonous empire of Rome, who is made pure by Jesus' (H.B. Warner) love. Taking text directly from the Bible, DeMille follows Jesus' rise to greatness as he humbly performs miracles and amasses thousands of devout followers. Jesus is introduced in the film through the healed eyes of a blind child, aglow with the light of faith. DeMille stylishly combines early Hollywood glamor with deep religious reverence in this classic adaptation that culminates in a Technicolor segment depicting the Resurrection. The film was remade by Nicholas Ray in 1961, with Jeffrey Hunter in the lead role.

Cecil B. DeMille interprets the life of Christ through the eyes of Mary Magdalene in this original silent epic featuring the infamous parting of the Red Sea.

Novelist and philosopher Ayn Rand was an extra in this film and can be seen only fleetingly in several crowd scenes. It was during the filming of THE KING OF KINGS that she met her lifelong husband, Frank O'Connor, who played a Roman soldier.

DVD Features:

2-Disc Set
Region 1
Note: This Release Contains Both The 155 Minute Roadshow Version and The 112 Minute General Release Version
Special Edition
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Monaural
Additional Release Material:
Behind the Scenes
Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer
Alternate Audio Tracks:
1. Score By Donald Sosin, 1927 Version
2. Score By Timothy J. Tikker, 1931 Version
3. Original Score By Hugo Riesenfeld
Text/Photo Galleries:
Cast Portraits By Photographer W.M. Mortensen
Original Illustrated Program
Press Book Featuring Photographs Of The Films Premiere At Grauman's Chinese Theatre
Production And Costume Sketches By Artist Dan Sayre Groesbeck
Stills Gallery:
1. Rare Production Photos
2. Publicity Photos
Studio Correspondence From Cecil B. De Mille
Additional Products:
Booklet

H.B. Warner: British Actor
Dorothy Cumming: 
Jacqueline Logan: Silent Film Actress
Ernest Torrance: Silent-era actor
Joseph Schildkraut: Character Actor
Victor Varconi: Hungarian Character Actor
Sam De Grasse: Silent Film Actor

Cecil B. DeMille: American Director/Producer, THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956)

Jeanie Macpherson: American screenwriter - early 1900's