Theatrical Release Date:October 10, 1962 Release Date:March 5, 2002 Availability:Usually ships in 1-2 business days Shipping:Expedited shipping available Shipping:International shipping available Condition:BRAND NEW, Factory Sealed items direct from the Studios. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail!
Editorial Reviews:
Product Description Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 08/31/2004 Starring: Antony Quinn Run time: 137 minutes Rating: Nr Director: Richard Fleischer
Amazon.com Starring Anthony Quinn in the title role, Barabbas was released in 1961 in the midst of a wave of widescreen epics based on biblical characters. The screenplay, by playwright Christopher Fry (who also contributed to Ben-Hur), is an unusually intelligent one. Further assets are the imaginative, sparingly orchestrated score by Mario Nascimbene and a handsome production design by art director Mario Chiari that is so rewarding to the eye in Aldo Tonti's often dazzling cinematography.
Many scenes, such as Christ's crucifixion, are shot and staged like tableaux in a style reminiscent of the great masters of art. And director Richard Fleischer surpasses anything Ridley Scott achieved years later in Gladiator: he fills the huge arena--a vast Roman amphitheatre--with a gladiatorial school of hand-to-hand combat, a parade of elephants, and a den of lions, and then caps his production with a riveting and thrillingly mounted duel between Jack Palance, careering round the circumference of the arena in his chariot, and Barabbas dodging him on foot. --Adrian Edwards
BarabbasAugust 29, 2008 0 out of 4 found this review helpful
The only thing I really want to know before purchasing a movis is the rating. I want NO R-rated movies in my home. This movie was suitable.
Life is Preferable to Death.August 5, 2008 0 out of 1 found this review helpful
To die is to live; death is nothing, sayth Lazarus whom Jesus brought back to life. Lazarus was the best character in this film, he looked like a "blithe spirit," as he explained what it is to die, to Barabbas. A blind man sees Barabba's face. There in the beginning, "tell us what it will be like: "a star, light in the sky, everything new, no more pain or grief, only happiness." Innocent people were stoned to death as blasphemy and "he who is without sin shall cast the first stone." They threw huge boulders, not merely rocks.
Barabbas did not try to stop this out-of-control crowd from killing the woman he loved; he'd gone to the devil, since coming out of prison mad (insane). I remembered the way, he said. Liberty was given to the wrong person in the name of civilization. The debt has been paid; we get rid of what gets in our way. He ends up going to arid Sicily where nothing is green like New Mexico, to the dark sulfur mines which cause blindness. He worked hard labor underground, with cruel guards using whips; emaciated prisoners with bad teeth.
Then, to Rome where we see prisoners being thrown into the lions' den at the Coliseum. It is similar to the Olympic games we will soon see the pagentry. And wasn't it spectular? There were elephants. Jack Palance, instructor of the Gladiator School, was handsome dressed in white with silver boots. There was Mark Allen as the Emperor pharoh looking like Richard Burton. He had his favorite brown horses pulling his chariot as he played games killing his slaves one at a time. He got a taste of his own medicine.
Barabbas had a remarkable persistence and ability to survive where others failed and eventually made him a free man. He took Sahak to be buried in the Catacombs. Why did he choose me? Show me the way. The whole world will soon be ablaze. Barabbas realizes he is a Christian. Peter, the apostle fisher of men, explains to him why he was chosen. The knowledge of God is the kingdom within us.
Christianity in its beginningJuly 3, 2008 great performance between actors, Quinn-Palance-Borgnine and their supporting actors for those who believe in the life after death concept. It holds the interest of the viewer to the end.
Interesting if you ignore the details...April 10, 2008 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Barabbas is an interesting "what if" presentation of Barabbas the man who was saved from execution when Jesus was crucified in his stead. The movie is heavily slanted towards a view of Christianity that seems to be highly superstitious and primarily focused on signs, symbols, and ritual.
Anthony Quinn does a great job in portraying a conflicted character who ebbs back and forth between belief and doubt.
Good movie on faithApril 5, 2008 2 out of 2 found this review helpful
If you have doubt about your faith, this movie will inspire you. Anthony Quinn gives a award winning performance.
