Barabbas (1961)

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This violent, dark, and sometimes depressing story is quite a change from many other bland religious films.

Based on a novel by Par Lagerkvist, this film imagines what happened to Barabbas after he was chosen over Jesus to be released before getting crucified. Anthony Quinn is a perfect choice as the unrepentant thief who goes back to the world he knows- crime and carousing. However, his world is changing because of the Messiah who he was chosen over, and Jesus' presence and his own near-death begin to haunt him as he tries to get back to his stunted "normal."

Just under two and a half hours, there are a few slow spots. The cast is excellent, however, and Fleischer does an impressive job with a cast of thousands. No CGI to rely on here, Fleischer uses his assorted set pieces to their fullest extent without trying to fix or better anything in editing. What is left are a series of scenes that can stand on their own as highlights in early 1960's film making, when the cinema was competing with television to win viewers back. The stoning of a character, the sulfur mine collapse, the burning of Rome: all are unforgettable. Two stretches of the film are very memorable. First, an extended sequence between Torvald (Jack Palance) and Barabbas fighting in the coliseum. There is no dialogue, just brutal violence and action. Another scene is a final tracking shot that sent chills down my spine. This film is very dark and very different. Barabbas is a man torn between his heathen upbringing, and what he knows is right through what he has witnessed in Jerusalem and Rome, no matter how much he denies what he has seen. Produced by Dino DeLaurentiis in Italy, this film has a European feel that makes it different and lends a certain credibility to the proceedings. The Oscar-heavy cast does not fall victim to any preachy speeches or effects-laden miracles, these are seemingly ordinary people caught up in tumultuous times.

I highly recommend "Barabbas" to any film fan, especially those who think the "Gladiator" movies are the only decent sword-and-sandals epics out there.

Stats:
(1961) 137 min. (* * * * 1/2) out of five stars
-Directed by Richard Fleischer
-Screenplay by Christopher Fry based on the novel by Par Lagerkvist
-Cast: Anthony Quinn, Silvana Mangano, Vittorio Gassman, Arthur Kennedy, Katy Jurado, Harry Andrews, Jack Palance, Ernest Borgnine, Norman Wooland, Valentina Cortese, Arnoldo Foa, Michael Gwynn, Laurence Payne
(Not Rated)