Barabbas | |
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Theatrical release poster
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Directed by | Richard Fleischer |
Produced by | Dino De Laurentiis |
Screenplay by |
Nigel Balchin Diego Fabbri Christopher Fry |
Based on |
Barabbas by Pär Lagerkvist |
Starring |
Anthony Quinn Arthur Kennedy Jack Palance Silvana Mangano Harry Andrews Ernest Borgnine |
Music by | Mario Nascimbene |
Cinematography | Aldo Tonti |
Edited by | Alberto Gallitti Raymond Poulton |
Production
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Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date
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Running time
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137 minutes |
Country | Italy |
Language | English |
Box office | $2,900,000 (US/ Canada) |
Barabbas is a 1961 religious epic film expanding on the career of Barabbas, from the Christian Passion narrative in the Gospel of Mark and other gospels. The film stars Anthony Quinn as Barabbas, features Silvana Mangano, Katy Jurado, Arthur Kennedy, Harry Andrews, Ernest Borgnine, Vittorio Gassman, and Jack Palance, and was distributed by Columbia Pictures. It was conceived as a grand Roman epic, was based on Nobel Prize-winning Pär Lagerkvist's 1950 novel of the same title. A previous film version of the novel, in Swedish, had been made in 1953.
The film was directed by Richard Fleischer and shot in Verona and Rome under the supervision of producer Dino De Laurentiis. It included many spectacular scenes, including a battle of gladiators in a Cinecittà film studio mock-up of the arena, and a crucifixion shot during a real eclipse of the sun.
Pontius Pilate offers to release either Jesus of Nazareth or Barabbas, in keeping with the Passover custom. The crowd gathered for the pardoning chooses Barabbas, and Jesus is condemned to crucifixion. Returning to his friends, Barabbas asks for his lover, Rachel. His friends inform him that Rachel has become a follower of Christ. Rachel soon returns, but she is not happy to see Barabbas.