1927·Drama·2h 35m
7.1
★
The King of Kings is the Greatest Story Ever Told as only Cecil B. DeMille could tell it. In 1927, working with one of the biggest budgets in Hollywood history, DeMille spun the life and Passion of Christ into a silent-era blockbuster. Featuring text drawn directly from the Bible, a cast of thousands, and the great showman’s singular cinematic bag of tricks, The King of Kings is at once spectacular and deeply reverent—part Gospel, part Technicolor epic.
Directed by Cecil B. DeMille
crucifixion
resurrection
silent film
messiah
big budget
jesus christ
judea
inspirational
commanding
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
H.B. Warner
Jesus, The Christ
Dorothy Cumming
Mary, the Mother
Ernest Torrence
Peter
Joseph Schildkraut
Judas Iscariot
James Neill
James - Brother of John
Robert Edeson
Matthew - the Publican
Sidney D'Albrook
Thomas, the Doubter
Jacqueline Logan
Mary Magdalene
Charles Belcher
Philip
Victor Varconi
Pontius Pilate - Governor of Judea
Montagu Love
Roman Centurion
William Boyd
Simon Of Cyrene
Crew
Cecil B. DeMille
Director
Jeanie Macpherson
Writer
Anne Bauchens
Editor
Cecil B. DeMille
Producer
Adrian
Costume Design
Jeanie Macpherson
Story
D.W. Griffith
Assistant Director
Popular Reviews
15 reviews
Erik Olsson
9.0★ · 04/05/26
The ultimate Sunday School movie.
Probably the best version of this story I've seen, I am by no means an authority on the subject, I am just a silent movie nerd who is agnostic on his best day. But this is a tremendous film nonetheless. This is DeMille firing on all cylinders without his occasional tendency of somehow being simultaneously preachy and debaucherous. This is, pun fully intended, his <i>Passion</i>. The whole production is incredible, the sets, the cinematography, the enormous cast. This is the most biblical epic to ever epic, and it doesn't even have Charlton Heston! H.B. Warner is probably one of the best Jesus performances out there just purely because of his eyes, world weary yet transfixingly kind. The use of two-color technicolor for the resurrection scene is genuinely awe-inspiring, just a phenomenal use of the format. I really think this is a must see for any silent movie fan, regardless on your feelings toward religious epics. Trust me, I don't care about them either.
Also must shout out this incredible Flicker Alley blu-ray, absolutely gorgeous work.
Probably the best version of this story I've seen, I am by no means an authority on the subject, I am just a silent movie nerd who is agnostic on his best day. But this is a tremendous film nonetheless. This is DeMille firing on all cylinders without his occasional tendency of somehow being simultaneously preachy and debaucherous. This is, pun fully intended, his <i>Passion</i>. The whole production is incredible, the sets, the cinematography, the enormous cast. This is the most biblical epic to ever epic, and it doesn't even have Charlton Heston! H.B. Warner is probably one of the best Jesus performances out there just purely because of his eyes, world weary yet transfixingly kind. The use of two-color technicolor for the resurrection scene is genuinely awe-inspiring, just a phenomenal use of the format. I really think this is a must see for any silent movie fan, regardless on your feelings toward religious epics. Trust me, I don't care about them either.
Also must shout out this incredible Flicker Alley blu-ray, absolutely gorgeous work.
The ultimate Sunday School movie.
Probably the best version of this story I've seen, I am by no means an authority on the subject, I am just a silent movie nerd who is agnostic on his best day. But this is a tremendous film nonetheless. This is DeMille firing on all cylinders without his occasional tendency of somehow being simultaneously preachy and debaucherous. This is, pun fully intended, his <i>Passion</i>. The whole production is incredible, the sets, the cinematography, the enormous cast. This is the most biblical epic to ever epic, and it doesn't even have Charlton Heston! H.B. Warner is probably one of the best Jesus performances out there just purely because of his eyes, world weary yet transfixingly kind. The use of two-color technicolor for the resurrection scene is genuinely awe-inspiring, just a phenomenal use of the format. I really think this is a must see for any silent movie fan, regardless on your feelings toward religious epics. Trust me, I don't care about them either.
Also must shout out this incredible Flicker Alley blu-ray, absolutely gorgeous work.
Probably the best version of this story I've seen, I am by no means an authority on the subject, I am just a silent movie nerd who is agnostic on his best day. But this is a tremendous film nonetheless. This is DeMille firing on all cylinders without his occasional tendency of somehow being simultaneously preachy and debaucherous. This is, pun fully intended, his <i>Passion</i>. The whole production is incredible, the sets, the cinematography, the enormous cast. This is the most biblical epic to ever epic, and it doesn't even have Charlton Heston! H.B. Warner is probably one of the best Jesus performances out there just purely because of his eyes, world weary yet transfixingly kind. The use of two-color technicolor for the resurrection scene is genuinely awe-inspiring, just a phenomenal use of the format. I really think this is a must see for any silent movie fan, regardless on your feelings toward religious epics. Trust me, I don't care about them either.
Also must shout out this incredible Flicker Alley blu-ray, absolutely gorgeous work.
Edward Yates
7.0★ · 09/04/25
For this being a silent film it was incredible although it was very long it was a true spectacle
Also seeing it with a live organ was very cool
3.5/5
Also seeing it with a live organ was very cool
3.5/5
For this being a silent film it was incredible although it was very long it was a true spectacle
Also seeing it with a live organ was very cool
3.5/5
Also seeing it with a live organ was very cool
3.5/5
David
7.4★ · 07/24/25
I think this would have been better if it was a rock opera but that’s just me
I think this would have been better if it was a rock opera but that’s just me
Nathan Rogers
10.0★ · 04/20/25
Happy Resurrection Sunday!
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!” ~ Luke 24:5-7 NKJV
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!” ~ Luke 24:5-7 NKJV
Happy Resurrection Sunday!
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!” ~ Luke 24:5-7 NKJV
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!” ~ Luke 24:5-7 NKJV