The King of Kings | 1927 | Biblical epic, drama

Title: The King of Kings | 1927 | Biblical epic, drama Director: Cecil B. DeMille Studio: DeMille Pictures Corporation Starring: H. B. Warner, Dorothy Cumming, Ernest Torrence, Joseph Schildkraut, Jacqueline Logan, Rudolph Schildkraut, Victor Varconi Based on: The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Release Date: April 19, 1927. Runtime: 155. Format: Silent; black-and-white with two-color Technicolor sequences; 1.33:1; English intertitles. Country: United States Language: Silent Genres: Biblical epic, drama --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Prologue and Mary Magdalene 00:20:00 Ministry and Miracles 01:05:00 Last Supper and Betrayal 01:30:00 Trial and Crucifixion 02:20:00 Resurrection and Epilogue --- Summary: Cecil B. DeMille’s silent epic dramatizes the ministry, Passion, and Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, from the exorcism of Mary Magdalene and the healing of the sick to the betrayal by Judas, the trial before Pilate, the crucifixion, and the empty tomb. The narrative draws wording and episodes directly from the four canonical Gospels, presented with reverent spectacle and large-scale crowd scenes. The film emphasizes moral transformation and forgiveness, contrasting worldly ambition and power with teachings on compassion, sacrifice, and redemption, culminating in a depiction of renewal and hope after the Resurrection. --- Background: Produced by DeMille’s own DeMille Pictures and distributed during a transitional moment in the industry, the roadshow version premiered in New York on April 19, 1927 and the film inaugurated Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on May 18, 1927. Notable for its visual design, it incorporates two-color Technicolor for the opening and Resurrection sequences, with additional tinting and hand-color effects; filming took place at DeMille’s Culver City studios and on Santa Catalina Island. The longer roadshow cut runs approximately 155 minutes, while a later general-release version was shortened. --- Trivia: Joseph Schildkraut portrays Judas Iscariot while his father, Rudolph Schildkraut, appears as the high priest Caiaphas, a rare father–son pairing in major roles within the same biblical epic. The film was the first ever to premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, cementing the venue’s association with Hollywood galas. Two-color Technicolor is used selectively, with other scenes tinted; in the blue-tinted arrest sequence, torch flames were hand colored to enhance the effect. Reports from production describe strict conduct rules for key performers to preserve on-screen reverence, including constraints placed on H. B. Warner and Dorothy Cumming during filming. The 1928 general-release version was edited to roughly 112 minutes with revised title cards to accommodate contemporary projection standards. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: April 19, 1927. Original Studio / Distributor: DeMille Pictures Corporation / Pathé Exchange. Copyright Status: Public Domain. Renewal: Unknown --- Hashtags: TheKingOfKings CecilBDeMille HBCWarner SilentFilm BiblicalEpic PublicDomain 1920sCinema ClassicFilm Source page: https: //commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_King_of_Kings_(1927).webm Direct media URL: https: //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/The_King_of_Kings_%281927%29.webm