Desertman84 Barabbas is a religious epic film that tells the story of Barabbas based primarily on the gospels particularly that of the Gospel of Mark.It stars Anthony Quinn in the title role together with Silvana Mangano, Katy Jurado, Arthur Kennedy, Harry Andrews, Ernest Borgnine, Vittorio Gassman, and Jack Palance. It was adapted from the Nobel Prize-winning 1950 novel of the same title written by Pär Lagerkvist.Barabbas is the thief who was pardoned in place of Jesus. For the rest of his life, the guilt-ridden criminal tries to go through life by trying to find his way in the world as he encounters the self- righteous pomposity of Pontius Pilate and experiences the gladiatorial sadism of Torvald and the burning of Rome.The movie is a movie spectacle that will definitely be comparable to those biblical epics released in the 50's and the 60'.It includes great and spectacular scenes such as battle of gladiators and the crucifixion shot that was shot during a real eclipse of the sun.Added to that,the portrayal of Anthony Quinn was nothing short but excellent.That alone makes it watchable and entertaining despite its somewhat slow pacing.

Neil Welch Winner of Jerusalem's Favourite Convict (33AD season), Barabbas - who has led a worthless life - goes in search of meaning.Starting with the decision to free Barabbas rather than Jesus, this 1961 Biblical epic charts Barabbas' (fictional) life after being freed, based on the 1953 novel. Quite nicely staged (even going so far as to feature an actual eclipse at the crucifixion) and with a good central performance by Antony Quinn, Barabbas has a number of faults. Back in 1961 they may not have been fatal. 2013 is not so forgiving.It is slow, dull, and overlong.It is badly dubbed throughout.And perhaps it is just the print which was aired on TV, but it was grainy and out of focus.I do like me a good Biblical epic, but I was unimpressed.

Wuchak RELEASED IN 1961 and directed by Richard Fleischer, "Barabbas" is an Italian sword & sandal epic that begins where more popular biblical epics leave off, like "Ben-Hur," "King of Kings" and "The Passion of the Christ." THE STORY: Anthony Quinn plays the titular character, a murderous lout and insurrectionist condemned to die at the time of the trial of Christ. Barabbas' first name was Jesus, so Roman governor Pilate was essentially asking the crowd to choose between Jesus Barabbas and Jesus Christ, the guilty or the innocent, to be put to death or set free. They of course choose to condemn the innocent so Barabbas is set free. Throughout the rest of his life Barabbas is haunted by Christ's sacrifice and struggles with guilt over his unmerited salvation. His ex-girlfriend suffers greatly for her Christian beliefs, he spends years as a slave in the notorious sulfur mines and also experiences the life of a gladiator. His life is a constant struggle -- with himself, with others, with his beliefs, with his various predicaments and mostly with God Himself.No one knows what really happened to Barabbas after he was set free; this is a fictional account based on the novel by Par Larverkvist.WHAT WORKS: The picture was filmed entirely in Italy, including Sicily, and the locations & sets are great and very authentic-looking. The Colosseum scenes were filmed at real Italian amphitheaters, so these sequences have a genuine feel as opposed to the fake-looking CGI Colosseum scenes in "Gladiator" (2000). The stoning scene is heart-wrenching. This is the first and only film I've ever seen this depicted and it shows what a real-life stoning was like. All I can say is: It's not pretty.Silvana Mangano plays Barabbas' ex-girlfriend Rachel. Unfortunately her natural beauty is played down here. Be sure to catch Silvana in Kirk Douglas' "Ulysses" (1954) where she plays both Penelope and the witch/siren Circe. Silvana's beauty is absolutely captivating in "Ulysses," which has more pizazz than "The Odyssey" (1997), but both films have their strengths.The sulfur mine sequences have a realistic feel. So much so it may occur to you that, no matter how bad you have it, at least you're not a slave in a sulfur mine.Jack Palance plays the lead gladiator. He lives for one purpose only: to entertain spectators by killing people in the arena. He thrives on the accolades he receives. What will happen when Barabbas faces him in a duel to the death? The gladiatorial scenes are pretty much on a par with similar scenes in "Spartacus" and "Ben-Hur" (although, of course, nothing can ever top the spectacular chariot race).Ernest Borgnine is also on hand in a small role. You can never go wrong with Borgnine.The score by Mario Nascimbene is solemn and potent.WHAT DOESN'T WORK: The picture starts off slowly and doesn't really capture your full attention until the stoning sequence, which is a full 40 minutes into the story. In other words, be prepared to persevere for about 45 minutes or so. At the 50-minute mark the mine scenes start and the story finally becomes compelling (the film runs 2 hours and 17 minutes).FYI: The Almighty (apparently) provided an actual total solar eclipse February 15, 1961 to enhance the eerie scenes of darkness, which mysteriously fell across the land after Jesus' crucifixion. The score during this scene is simple, almost non-existent, but very ominous.FINAL ANALYSIS: "Barabbas" successfully depicts every man or woman's struggle with sin, guilt, redemption, suffering and the search for ultimate reality or truth. This is not a fun, adventurous or action-packed film, although there's some good action in the gladiatorial scenes. Barabbas' journey is torturous at best, but worthwhile if you're in the proper brooding mood for such a picture.COMPARISON: Although "Barabbas" isn't as great as other biblical epics like "Ben-Hur" or "The Ten Commandments" or sword & sandal epics like "Troy," it's better than the outrageously melodramatic "The Robe" (a horrible film IMHO) and the boring "The Greatest Story Ever Told" (how about "The Dullest Film Ever Made"?). It's roughly on par with films like "Samson and Delilah," "King of Kings" and "Spartacus," even though I give "Samson" and "Spartacus" the edge.GRADE: B-

alexfrag-389-31733 I will give 9 out 10 because this film was well presented. Anthony Quinn, as usual, was a good actor. I do not know how accurate is the historical events regarding Barabbas in this film, but I believe that Barabbas was more a rebel against the State...the State which was and it is up to nowadays million of times more evil than Barabbas.At the end we have some doubts were Barabbas was repent in the cross while Rome was burning.Forgot to mention Jack Palance, another good actor and Ernest Borgnine.I have this film in DVD and I recommend for those who like history and cinema. I will compare this film with Ben Hur, Spartacus, Eld Cid, King of kings...and many classics from the 60's.