Barabbas (1961 film)
| Barabbas | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster by Frank McCarthy | |
| Directed by | Richard Fleischer |
| Screenplay by | Christopher Fry |
| Based on | Barabbas (1950 novel) by Pär Lagerkvist |
| Produced by | Dino De Laurentiis |
| Starring | Anthony Quinn Silvana Mangano Arthur Kennedy Katy Jurado Harry Andrews Vittorio Gassman Jack Palance Ernest Borgnine |
| Cinematography | Aldo Tonti |
| Edited by | Raymond Poulton |
| Music by | Mario Nascimbene |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Dino de Laurentiis Cinematografica (Italy) Columbia Pictures (United States) |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 137 minutes |
| Countries | Italy United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $2.9 million (US/Canada) |
Barabbas (Italian: Barabba) is a 1961 religious epic film directed by Richard Fleischer for Dino De Laurentiis Cinematografica, expanding on the life of Barabbas, from the Christian Passion narrative in the Gospel of Mark and other gospels. It stars Anthony Quinn, Silvana Mangano, Katy Jurado, Arthur Kennedy, Harry Andrews, Ernest Borgnine, Vittorio Gassman, and Jack Palance. The screenplay is based on Nobel Prize-winner Pär Lagerkvist's 1950 novel of the same title.
The film was shot in Verona and Rome. It included many highly acclaimed scenes, including a battle of gladiators in a Cinecittà film studio mock-up of the Colosseum, and a crucifixion shot during an actual total solar eclipse. It was released in Italy on December 23, 1961, and in the United States by Columbia Pictures on October 10, 1962. In Italy, the film was nominated for three Nastro d'Argento Awards (Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, and Best Costume Design).
A previous film version of the novel, in Swedish, had been made in 1953.