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From Amazon.co.uk
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. "It begins where the other big ones leave off", declaims the trailer. The screenplay, by playwright Christopher Fry (who also contributed to Ben-Hur), is an unusually intelligent one: listen out for Barabbas' final encounter with the Apostle Thomas, for example. 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.
Like the other Biblical epics of the day, in its original theatrical incarnation Barabbas had an intermission and orchestral intermezzo which is sadly missing from this version. (It occurred at the point where Barabbas emerges from a 20 years exile in the sulphur mines in Sicily, allowing the audience to dwell on his recuperation before we next encounter him. He now appears muscled and bronzed ploughing the verdant fields outside Rome in all too quick a fashion!). Many scenes, such as Christ's crucifixion, are shot and staged like tableaux in a style reminiscent of the great masters of art. And in Fleischer's hands this film 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. The supporting cast, who sport a variety of accents call for some tolerance, however.
On the DVD: Barabbas on disc comes devoid of any extra features other than trailers for it and another contemporaneous blockbuster, The Guns of Navarone. --Adrian Edwards
Product Description
DVD Special Features:
Trailer
Languages in LCR 4.0: English, French, German, Spanish
Subtitles: Arabic, Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish
2.35:1 Aspect Ratio enhanced for 16:9 Widescreen TVs
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a remarkably intelligent film, based on Nobel Prize winning author Pär Lagerkvist's novel of the same name. Directed by Richard Fleischer (20,000 Leagues Under The Sea [DVD] [1954], Tora! Tora! Tora! [1970] [DVD], Fantastic Voyage [DVD] [1966]), the film follows the fate of Barabbas, the criminal who was freed in the place of Jesus Christ.
Anthony Quinn plays Barabbas, and although we begin by thinking we are getting a pre-echo of his 1964, over-the-top Zorba The Greek [DVD] [1964], the characterisation proves a thoughtful one, which is well-complemented by Fleischer's restrained directing style, never afraid to have long periods without dialogue where it is not required. Likewise, the musical score Alexander the Great/Barabbas is used sparingly.
The big set-pieces such as the combat in the arena, the destruction of the sulphur mine and the burning of Rome are beautifully handled, as are the more introspective moments like where Barabbas gets lost - physically and spiritually - in the catacombs. This is a big, thoughtful movie, with a lot to say about what it means to be human.
Considering that the picture is almost half-a-century old, it looks pretty good. A decently sharp image is possible with an upscaling DVD player, although the sound shows its age more obviously.... Read more ›
Anthony Quinn plays Barabbas, and although we begin by thinking we are getting a pre-echo of his 1964, over-the-top Zorba The Greek [DVD] [1964], the characterisation proves a thoughtful one, which is well-complemented by Fleischer's restrained directing style, never afraid to have long periods without dialogue where it is not required. Likewise, the musical score Alexander the Great/Barabbas is used sparingly.
The big set-pieces such as the combat in the arena, the destruction of the sulphur mine and the burning of Rome are beautifully handled, as are the more introspective moments like where Barabbas gets lost - physically and spiritually - in the catacombs. This is a big, thoughtful movie, with a lot to say about what it means to be human.
Considering that the picture is almost half-a-century old, it looks pretty good. A decently sharp image is possible with an upscaling DVD player, although the sound shows its age more obviously.... Read more ›
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Ian Armer
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
SPOILERS!
Barabbas is, hands down, the most intelligent biblical movie ever made. It even tops Scorsese's 'Last Temptation' because it is a fascinating character study of a man who struggles with 'survivor guilt' and then attempts to believe in the man who died in his place - and fails, returning full circle to the cross in a bleak climax.
Quinn is magnificent as Barabbas. A man who attempts to return to a ransomed life and sets out on a journey of attempted self discovery. His failure is not an anti-climax to this journey, but a necessary summation: Barabbas tries to believe, but can't. That simple. Any other reviewer stating that Quinn finds his faith in the closing moments of the film is way off the mark. It is a faithless, barbaric journey, struggling with self doubt and a desperate search for meaning that yields nothing.
Don't let this pessimism put you off. Barabbas is faced with many examples of sacrifice and Christian virtue, but when he finally takes the leap, he can only act out his own violent nature. The film raises many questions on the topic of what faith is and how - or even if - one can achieve it. Is faith a gift or a mere fluke of circumstance?
From a weary looking Jerusalem, to the suffocating - and well invoked - hell of the sulpher mines, to the gladiatorial school and catacombs of Rome, to a burning Jerusalem and ultimately to the cross - Barabbas is a worthy film. It offers no comfortable answers, and is lacking the Hollywood nicities of 'King of Kings' and 'The Greatest Story Ever Told' and, especially, 'The Robe' which makes it a must see for anybody with a passing interest in well observed character studies and a refreshingly atheistic/agnostic view of biblical times.
Barabbas is, hands down, the most intelligent biblical movie ever made. It even tops Scorsese's 'Last Temptation' because it is a fascinating character study of a man who struggles with 'survivor guilt' and then attempts to believe in the man who died in his place - and fails, returning full circle to the cross in a bleak climax.
Quinn is magnificent as Barabbas. A man who attempts to return to a ransomed life and sets out on a journey of attempted self discovery. His failure is not an anti-climax to this journey, but a necessary summation: Barabbas tries to believe, but can't. That simple. Any other reviewer stating that Quinn finds his faith in the closing moments of the film is way off the mark. It is a faithless, barbaric journey, struggling with self doubt and a desperate search for meaning that yields nothing.
Don't let this pessimism put you off. Barabbas is faced with many examples of sacrifice and Christian virtue, but when he finally takes the leap, he can only act out his own violent nature. The film raises many questions on the topic of what faith is and how - or even if - one can achieve it. Is faith a gift or a mere fluke of circumstance?
From a weary looking Jerusalem, to the suffocating - and well invoked - hell of the sulpher mines, to the gladiatorial school and catacombs of Rome, to a burning Jerusalem and ultimately to the cross - Barabbas is a worthy film. It offers no comfortable answers, and is lacking the Hollywood nicities of 'King of Kings' and 'The Greatest Story Ever Told' and, especially, 'The Robe' which makes it a must see for anybody with a passing interest in well observed character studies and a refreshingly atheistic/agnostic view of biblical times.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Saw that the dvd was at a special price. Bought along with two other films that I remember seeing as a youngster in the local cinema.
Back to the days of casts of 1000's, well hundreds I suppose! Was one of the last BIG epics made in Italy I think, before the producers/directors went off on smaller films.
Covers the story after the crucifiction of Christ and what may have happened to the robber Barabbas. Going from being arrested again, being put to work in the mines to becoming a gladiator its a roller coaster ride of a film. The scenes in the arena have EVERYTHING thrown into it!! animals, amazons, dwarves and gladiators!!
Lots of what would be called "guest" stars now, see it and enjoy!
Upscaling on the blu ray works very well also.
Back to the days of casts of 1000's, well hundreds I suppose! Was one of the last BIG epics made in Italy I think, before the producers/directors went off on smaller films.
Covers the story after the crucifiction of Christ and what may have happened to the robber Barabbas. Going from being arrested again, being put to work in the mines to becoming a gladiator its a roller coaster ride of a film. The scenes in the arena have EVERYTHING thrown into it!! animals, amazons, dwarves and gladiators!!
Lots of what would be called "guest" stars now, see it and enjoy!
Upscaling on the blu ray works very well also.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
BARABBAS IS A VERY GOOD FILM. THE UNTOLD STORY OF A MAN WHO IS TORMENTED BY HIS LIVE,AS HE LIVES IN PLACE OF JESUS THEN IS TORMENTED BY WHY HE DIDN'T DIE INSTEAD AS HE FINDS OUT MORE ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO FOLLOW JESUS..
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Bedinog
Format:DVD
Thankfully, a number of 50s and 60s epics derided at the time have been positively reappraised in recent years, and in such doubting and insecure times, this film's always intelligent script refreshingly challenges the black and white of oversimplified religion and dogma. From the very outset, the disciples of the crucified Jesus struggle to make sense of their faith, and Barabbas(a marginal character in the gospels) in counterpoint throughout the story is trying to make sense of why he lived when Jesus took his place on the cross, and trying desperately to find some meaning, some belief, some faith, and as with most of us, goes down many a blind alley. It's part of what makes this wonderful film so relevant nearly 50 years after its release.
Acting styles have changed, but there's nothing stilted here, dialogue being delivered with conviction by all the actors who matter. We see real people in crowds,a real amphitheatre (Verona)and the magnificent crucifixion scene shot against a real eclipse. Who needs bland CG effects.
The DVD comes up far better than the old VHS release with sharpness and contrast well defined, and is as good as anything we have a right to expect short of a full restoration. Other reviewers here have already described various technical aspects, and no duplication is required.
A wonderfully made, powerfully acted film which has as much to say now as when it was made. It's right up there with the best of its type.
Acting styles have changed, but there's nothing stilted here, dialogue being delivered with conviction by all the actors who matter. We see real people in crowds,a real amphitheatre (Verona)and the magnificent crucifixion scene shot against a real eclipse. Who needs bland CG effects.
The DVD comes up far better than the old VHS release with sharpness and contrast well defined, and is as good as anything we have a right to expect short of a full restoration. Other reviewers here have already described various technical aspects, and no duplication is required.
A wonderfully made, powerfully acted film which has as much to say now as when it was made. It's right up there with the best of its type.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Barabbas
A very great film! In good shape received and speedily delivered. I would definitely recommend Amazon.co.uk to all my friends if they wish to ask for a good product. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Albert Ouimet
3.0 out of 5 stars
Barabbas (DVD)
I chose this rating because the film was ok. Too much like an action movie to me and did not float my boat. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Caroline Woods
3.0 out of 5 stars
Barabbas
A bit too blood-thirsty for a "Christian" film. Not to be compared with "The Passion...", but that's a different genre.
Published 1 month ago by Geoff Hawkes
4.0 out of 5 stars
Thoroughly entertaining!
Thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining film which I did not find in the least dated. It is typical of the movies produced during the 'epic' blockbuster period of the 50s/60s. Read more
Published 3 months ago by H. Galloway
4.0 out of 5 stars
A classic
Saw this movie as a child and saw it again recently. Remains a formidable movie after all these years, full of adventure, reflection, etc.. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Eric le rouge
1.0 out of 5 stars
barabbas
Very good film with all round performances of excellence........movie print is terrible with washed out colours and plenty of interference..... Read more
Published on 5 Sep 2010 by martyn cros
5.0 out of 5 stars
Biblical, brilliant, on time !!!
We have bought several biblical classics and they are all lovely to see. They were all in good condition and arrived quickly.
Published on 2 April 2010 by Mrs. L. Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Barabbas (DVD)
I absolutely loved this film from beginning to end, no waiting to get into it. It gets the 'thumbs up' from me, and definitely a 5 star.
Published on 3 Mar 2010 by Mrs MF Kapnisis
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