Barabbas

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Summary: Widescreen Barabbas finally
Review: After years of waiting, finally there is a widescreen version of this great movie (which is the ony way to see these widescreen epics and the only way to do them justice). So much for the good news. Unfortunately, Barabbas hasn't been granted the same deluxe treatment of other equally deserving epics of the 50's and 60's. I mean going to huge epic movies back then was quite an experience not unlike going to the Opera and you got treated to an introductory musical Overture, an Intermission with Entre'act music and sometimes even Exit music. In line with this treatment for other epics (now restored on Laser Disc/DVD versions), Barabbas was no exception. It originally included a Bolero-like overture of Mario Nascimbene's main theme, an Intermission at the end of the Mines sequence (you can see the abrupt cut into the next scene at the fields where the intermission has been deleted from the all versions of the movie currently available), and an Intermezzo (on the theme for the arrival to Rome)previous to the continuation of the second part of the movie. Until Mario Nascimbene's innovative score is restored, we should still wait for a definitive restored version of Barabbas. The Circus scenes are probably the best ever filmed, and are up there with similar sequences of Ben-Hur and Gladiator. (Spartacus is a great movie but does not include Circus action). I hope some day we get the Deluxe verson of this great epic.

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Summary: Good film, but try to stay awake to see it all
Review: Another of the many biblical flicks produced in the fifties and sixties. Historians know next to nothing about the life of the criminal the crowd chose to spare over Jesus; so therefore, the screenplay of this movie comes from highly speculative material. Anthony Quinn appears to be the ideal actor to portray Barabbas; there's not really that much dialogue and the part doesn't call for an overly-attractive leading man. Overall, the film is just a bit too long and probably won't be enjoyed by anyone who isn't a fan of biblical films. If you're not that familiar with the New Testament or that period in time, you'll probably fall asleep if you don't change the channel and watch something else.

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Summary: God Provides Special Effect On Cue
Review: Anthony Quinn gives a good, tortured portrayal in this speculative movie of what happened to Barabbas after the death of Jesus. Although a bit slow in places, the film manages to keep the viewer interested in what will become of this poor character. One fact about the film that a lot of people do not know is that the sequence featuring Christ's crucifiction was shot during a REAL solar eclipse. This lends an eerie and divine backdrop to the crucifiction and sets the mood for Barabbas' journey to his ultimate destiny.

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Summary: Anthony Quinn is commendable in his role as Barabbas!
Review: Being a huge fan of the epic style of movies, i.e., Spartacus,Ben-Hur et al, I simply and basically had to watch this movie, i.e.,Barabbas VHS ~ Anthony Quinn. Contrary to other reviews, I do not findthat the movie is short on dialogue and in fact find the story to bequite moving. As my title for this review stated "Anthony Quinnis commendable in his role as Barabbas!" and this, i.e., Quinnplaying the role with a sense of dedication, devotion and ardor thatis only matched by truly great actors, e.g., Marlon Brando, CharltonHeston, Kirk Douglas et al (actors that play their roles with passion,ardor and dedication that is rarely seen by today's actors; actorswhom most of the time under act their roles almost as they were afraidto show genuine, heartfelt and authentic emotions; as if theseemotions would turnoff the viewer when it in fact enhances the qualityof the movie in question). I have to adamantly agree with thefollowing statement from a previous reviewer that states thatfollowing "Like many movies made in Hollywood before the Babyboomers took over, This movie has a positive Christian messageimbedded in a serious plot that causes the viewer to sympathize withthe lead character Barabbas and hope for him. Overall a likablefilm." This is absolutely true, since nowadays moviemakers haveturned very cynical and do not portray a positive picture when itcomes to religion or Christianity for that matter.

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Summary: As good as "Gladiator" -- Inspiring biblical epic !
Review: I am so glad this DVD has been made, and I've waited for a chance to buy it. After viewing "Gladiator" w/R. Crowe, I'd say the arena scenes in "Barabbas" are just as good. There's more than just action; this movie is interesting because it portrays the period of history when more & more people become aware of Christianity. Barabbas sees Christ's following as it grows, then begins to wonder why he was spared in Jesus' place. The tale of Barabbas is an oddysey, and Quinn does a fine job. His journey is as good as his destination.

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Summary: A good film for those interested in a story not effects...
Review: I like this movie because of its meeningful message. Like many movies made in Hollywood before the Babyboomers took over, This movie has a positive christian message inbedded in a serious plot that causes the viewer to simpathise with the lead chararter Barabbus and hope for him. overall a likeble flim.

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Summary: One Great Film
Review: I've often wished for a widescreen edition of Barabbas and now here it is. I became excited several months ago when I saw this edition was to be relased on DVD. So here I am on March 5th ordering my copy. I own the VHS version which distracts from the excellent photogarphy. There are some important things to know about the production of this film: the crucifixion sequece was filmed during an actual eclipse, a one shot scene. The sets were constructed three dimnesional so the streets of Jerusalem and Rome appear real. Anthony Quinn was a perfect choice for Barabbas. If you've read the book this film will provide a quality visual to the fine, simple telling of a man's life, the man who was spared crucifixion and free'd instead of our Lord. Also if you've read the book you'll know what Barabbas is thinking most of the time. Quinn is excellent, his eyes ever roaming in thought of survival. This is a big movie shot in a down to earth realistic way. A fine study in seeking truth, arriving on it's doorstep only to turn away. Because of the book, when Baabbas is helping set fire to Rome, I am aware of how truly emotional this last scene in the film is. (I hope am not giving anything way in the film). Barabbas finally makes an open commitment, acting out on a belief system that he's denied since Christ's crucifixion, only to discover in the end it was Nero who set fire to Rome and not the Christians. It's really all there. The muscal score is unsual and unique. I have the old mono 33 1/2 rpm version which gives musical examples at the end of how Mario Nascimbene wrote and orchastrated the incedibe score. Sadly enough this old recording is far supeior to the new CD issue which edited cuts and left out the 5 minute + prologue. I rate this movie 5 stars. If you like the old spectaculars this one is unique and should be in your library.

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Summary: The "deepest" of the Biblical epics...
Review: I've seen just about all of the Biblical epics, but this one has always been my favorite because of the deeper character development. Except for the beginning of the movie, where Barabbas has been released instead of Jesus, the story is completely speculative. But the journey the story takes is quite moving and unpredictable and thought-provoking. It's probably the only older Biblical movie that actually touches upon the struggle for faith in Christ and the consequences of advertising that faith in a society that outlaws it. Barabbas is a man in anguish, full of guilt and indecision, but tries hard to repress his emotions and his humanity when he's imprisoned and enslaved in a mine for many years. When he's partnered later with another slave, this time a devout Christian, Barabbas resents and then envies this other man's joy in the face of hardship. Is life nothing but hard work and then death, with nothing to look forward to? Nothing to sustain you? Just a bleak end? It's the sort of questions Barabbas faces, even when trying to remain detached. He's a simple man throughout the movie, almost stupid and barbaric, but you can see that deep down he's trying to be a good man. Trying! So, compared to other Biblical movies, this one really touches upon what it means to be human, what it means to have faith, rather than dealing with cardboard cutout characters and flashy special effects. Not to say that the movie is lacking spectacle. The sets are wonderful and massive, and the gladiator fights are huge and violent. As you watch the crowds moving and cheering in the background, you can't help but think: Everyone is real back there. No CGI, no computer manufactured people. It's amazing how they were able to make such large sets and fill them with so many people.

As for the DVD itself, it's beautifully transfered and in its original widescreen aspect ratio. Very sharp and clear, one of the best looking DVDs I own. No special features, which is only a slight disappointment. After all, this has been a favorite movie of mine for years, so I was cautiously celebrating when I haerd the DVD was going to be released. "Cautiously" only because I worried they might cut corners and release a cheap looking DVD. But I was pleasantly surprised that it looks better than I expected.

Bottom line: If you want depth with your spectacle, this is the best choice. And the DVD quality is superb! 'Nuff said.

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Summary: dvd
Review: lets get many votes for the dvd of this masterpiece!

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Summary: THE GIFT OF LIFE
Review: The late Anthony Quinn delivers a powerful, understated performance as the title character in "BARABBAS." Released on DVD with no fanfare, perhaps because of the overtly Christian theme, this crisp widescreen transfer does justice to an overlooked epic that came on the heels of "Ben Hur," a much bigger budgeted production that also dealt with a provocative spiritual story (a hate-filled Jew on the road to revenge stumbles across the Christ).

Based on Nobel Prize winner Par Lagervist's acclaimed novel, the story is a fictional look at the real historical figure who was released when the angry, blood thirsty Jerusalem mob responds to Pilate's offer to free either Barabbas or Jesus. The metaphor of Jesus dying for all is made real in the life of the one literal man He replaced on the cross. A daring idea that becomes fully realized in Christopher ("Ben Hur") Fry's thoughtful screenplay as directed by Richard Fleischer.

In many ways, this material was rehashed in "Gladiator" but without the Christian motif (the hints of Christians dying in the arena by Rome's edict were filmed but left on the cutting room floor).

Quinn's Barabbas is a troubled brute who is haunted by his undeserved gift of life and freedom and especially the resulting notoriety. His journey of faith and the discovery of his own worth is arguably as profound and poetic as his great Zorba interpretation.

The arena scenes with a gleefully sadistic Jack Palance are as good as anything in "Gladiator." No extras but the movie, digitally remasterd in Hi Definition, stands on its own.