The Great Commandment

1939
Approved
1h 18m

IMDb RATING

6.0/10

141

YOUR RATING

John Beal and Marjorie Cooley in The Great Commandment (1939)

Drama Romance

In Jerusalem, young Zealot Joel wants to fight the Roman conquerors and hopes that Jesus will be their Jewish king. But Jesus is crucified, and Joel becomes an early Christian, learning to l... Read allIn Jerusalem, young Zealot Joel wants to fight the Roman conquerors and hopes that Jesus will be their Jewish king. But Jesus is crucified, and Joel becomes an early Christian, learning to live by the divine command, 'Love thy neighbor.'In Jerusalem, young Zealot Joel wants to fight the Roman conquerors and hopes that Jesus will be their Jewish king. But Jesus is crucified, and Joel becomes an early Christian, learning to live by the divine command, 'Love thy neighbor.'

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.0/10

141

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

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Trivia
Rev. James K. Friedrich produced this picture in order to portray a "correct" version of the crucifixion. After PCA censor Joseph Breen voiced concerns about the onscreen representation of Jesus, producer John T. Coyle decided to eliminate Jesus as an onscreen character and to use the camera's point of view to represent him instead. The picture was not released nationally until 1941, but had its previews in Joplin, MO, and at the Ambassdor Theater in Los Angeles on 2 Oct. 1939

Connections
Followed by Queen Esther (1948)

User reviews8

Review

Featured review

9/10

Pleasanly surprised by this older film

Well done especially for such an older film. Not all saccharin-like dialogue as in many older films. The dialogue was serious enough and everything wa tastefully done. The plot is straightforward and not full of twistsand turns and complexities like so many newer films are. Yet though Ilike many older films, even the flash-shots and fast camera action ofnewer films such as many adventure films like "Bourne Ultimatum," I can also equally enjoy the older style films with more of a storybook narrative such as this one. I also enjoyed the shot wedding festival scene and the singing. Also, Jesus himself was displayed in a low-key manner where you do not even see his face. He did not "steal the show." And the Scriptures used reflect Jesus message of love and forgiveness which go along with the central theme of the movie. I also liked the fact that Beal's character, Joel, was not instantly "converted" to the Lord's Gospel. Seemed more real that way. I saw this on a cheap CD set of older Christian films and I was pleasantly surprised.