John Hayes The Big Fisherman was certainly not the biggest - or the best - of the fifties/sixties cycle of 70mm epics. Arriving between Ben-Hur (1959) and Spartacus (1960), it is not surprising that this rather small-scale epic became lost in the shuffle. It has no battles, no huge crowd scenes - in fact the crowds can be numbered in dozens rather than thousands - and an archaic script that harks back to Bible epics that were made ten years earlier.That said, Lee Garmes' cinematography is splendid and Albert Hay Mallotte's score is superb; plus Howard Keel, Herbert Lom, John Saxon and Martha Hyer deliver exemplary performances, in spite of the leaden script.Contrary to previous comments, The Big Fisherman was NOT shot in MGM Camera 65 - only Raintree County and Ben-Hur were. After the process changed its name to Ultra Panavision, it was used on Mutiny on the Bounty, It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, Khartoum and The Fall of the Roman Empire. The Big Fisherman used Super Panavision - a non anamorphic 70mm widescreen process.Inferior the film may be to its contemporaries, it still deserves a DVD release - preferably a Special Edition version, as it is most certainly a worthy part of the canon of 70mm epics.For further information, go to www.widescreenmovies.org and click on 'Highlights of Previous Issues' then 'The Epic that Disappeared: The Big Fisherman'.

dom8256 This was by far one of the most powerful and entertaining movies I have ever seen. I saw it on the Disney Channel many years ago and I was lucky enough to tape it on my VCR because it has never been released on DVD or VHS tape. It's like it was forgotten. It is not a musical but a very well acted drama about the life of the Apostle Peter. Fara a princess who is the daughter of Herod Antipas and an Arabian princess who he discarded to marry Herodias learns what her father did just minutes before her mom dies. She vows to go back and kill her father to avenge her mother. She ends up in the house of Simon Peter just before he is called and converted by Christ. Peter protects and cares for Fara. When she is about to kill Antipas he intervenes and stops her. At the end of the movie she gives up the great love of her love "VOLDI" who is named prince of Arabia because she is not a true Arabian. I wish this movie had been released on DVD or Tape because I would recommended to anyone. It's truly a beautiful and Spiritual story.

ldemay I saw this film as a child with my Mom. What I can remember of it was just so beautiful. Howard Keel had such a wonderful and powerful voice. I could listen to him sing anything. The seen of him singing by his boat is the one that sticks out in my mind the most. The colors were so beautiful and bright as I remember them. I thought this film was a musical, but I see it listed as a drama. Can anyone tell me why? I wish I could get a copy of this fine film for my Mom who is now in her mid seventies. So we could watch it again. I think it would be so great to see this movie with my daughter, who loves all kinds of movies, and some of my granddaughters. This is a real family film for the whole family.

al-eaton Walt Disney arranged for Buena Vista Distribution (a company formed to release Disney films instead of RKO) to release the film as he wanted a long biblical epic to compete with the other major studios. In particular, he wanted to cash in on their successes, particularly that of BEN-HUR. One reviewer even commented that this production borrowed the MGM Camera 65 cameras used to film BEN-HUR.THE BIG FISHERMAN was nominated for several Oscars, a testament to the quality of the film and its technical professionals. Of course, it lost to BEN-HUR (almost everybody lost to BEN-HUR).In the mid-1970's, I worked at the Disney Studios in 16mm film distribution (mostly to schools and airlines as this was prior to the rise of home video). I located some 16mm anamorphic (scope) prints of THE BIG FISHERMAN.Using a dialog continuity script as a guide, I managed to reconstruct a decent, complete print and turned it over to my management, thinking it would be a great 16mm rental title. It wasn't accepted for that medium, but a few years later, SFM MEDIA CORPORATION distributed it to TV (in a pan-and-scan version only).The film is based on Lloyd C. Douglas' novel, a sequel to his massive bestselling book THE ROBE. The performances are consistently excellent. Howard Keel creates a moving and heart-felt portrait of Simon/Peter. There are several other standout performances. For example, Jonathan Harris as the chief steward in the palace of Herod Antipas. This was before his memorable turn as Dr. Zachary Smith in LOST IN SPACE. The best way to describe his characterization is to borrow a line from MY FAIR LADY: "Oozing charm from every pour, he oiled his way around the floor." Herbet Lom and Martha Hyer (as Antipas and Herodias) are particular standouts.Also, Ray Stricklyn as Deran, the evil son of the Arabian king, who has an unhealthy lust for Princess Fara (Susan Kohner), whose heart belongs to Prince Voldi (John Saxon). Kohner and Saxon create a very believable chemistry of two star-crossed lovers. When Deran dies suddenly of a heart attack while addressing his chiefs, who surround him on horseback, his passing is remarked on by two lines of dialog: "I think he is dead," says one chief. Another chief, looking at the body on the ground before him, replies, "Let us let him lay there until we are certain." It is a pity that this title is not available on video, preferably on DVD, where it's widescreen image can be preserved. I'm surprised that TCM hasn't gotten hold of this, unless it's a case of who owns the legal rights; possibly Buena Vista, the original distributor (which, of course, involves the Walt Disney Studios, who have their own strong home video distribution system). Perhaps these copyright owners feel that no decent elements exist for a DVD transfer. Perhaps they feel that the title just wouldn't find a large enough market to justify the cost of transferring such a long movie. That is a misguided belief. Anyway, it's still a pity. It deserves to be seen again.