Now the basic premise of the film goes like this (according to IMDB): Mary Magdalene, played by Jacqueline Logan, becomes angry when Judas, played by Joseph Schildkraut, now a follower of Jesus, played by H.B. Warner, won't come to her feast. She goes to Jesus and becomes repentant. From there the Bible Story unfolds through the Crucifixion and Resurrection.
Jesus is shown curing people, like a child from blindness, and resurrects Lazarus, played by Kenneth Thomson. They adapted this film from the sections of the New Testament that tells the story of Jesus. Those who have read the Bible and have seen this silent film can tell how accurate DeMille made it. I have read the King James version of the Bible, but I can't recall this part, if I have read it, or never got to that part. Look, I was only studying it as Literature for a class that I took, that's all. There is the part when Jesus and his apostles go to Jerusalem, where they have problems with Caiaphas the High Priest, played by Rudolph Schildkraut, who declares him a false prophet. Obviously, DeMille had to insert the part where Jesus wanders the desert, being tempted by Satan, played by Alan Brooks, but drives him away. That part shows Jesus knowing that Satan is no good and will only trick you into believing he knows your deepest desires, but will only bring you ruin.
The Last Supper also had to be inserted because that is a very important part to put in because Jesus knows that Judas will turn on him. I guess I can see why he says that the bread and wine are his body and blood because he wants to see who will not eat. Judas doesn't eat since he now has joined Caiaphas. For a silent film to see Jesus tortured at the Garden of Gethsemene is horrifying. For those that remember, Jesus gets presented by Pontius Pilate, played by Victor Varconi (his wife Proculla is played by Majel Coleman). Like any mother would do, Mary, played by Dorothy Cumming, begs not to, and when they don't, but crucify him, Mary asks God to forgive everyone for killing Jesus. Like they all have said: Jesus died for their sins. Before he is crucified, he heals a group of cripples, and is taken away. The effects they used when crucifying Jesus are earthquakes, the sky turning black, lightning striking, wind blowing, the people who mocked Jesus run away, and the Holy of Holies in the Jerusalem temple are split in two, which for a silent film, doesn't look all that bad. Once you accept the fact that all the hard work that went into it is shown, then you will love the film.
Now the last thing to mention is the Resurrection. When he is buried, the third day he is raised. He goes to his apostles to spread the word, and the film ends with a quote of Jesus saying "I am with you always," while showing a modern city, emphasizing that he always does watch everyone. Many of the intertitles are quotes from the Bible, which could not be complete without those quotes.
Anyone who wants to watch this film for a good look at the last weeks of Jesus, by all means do so because this really portrays it nicely. Just accept that it's a silent film, and you'll be fine. Thanks for tuning in for my second edition of the religious film reviews, stay tuned next week for the final entry in DeMille's Bible Trilogy.
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