The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)

A man fancies himself a very special kind of prophet with some very important ideas. He goes about preaching and performing some wondrous feats. His criticism of some powerful people garners him dangerous enemies.

An ironically titled satire in which the unfortunate protagonist puts himself in the position of "light of the world", whose purpose is to awaken the same luminosity in everyone else. His plans go horribly wrong, however, as the majority of his followers seem to be aroused chiefly by an egotistical interest in cures for their physical ailments (and who can blame them?), failing to see the allegorical aspect of the miracles. The depiction of the religious and political elites is equally biting. The tone of the film is very somber and solemn, which adds to the turnaround ending's gaiety (our resurrected hero still preaches -- he never tires!).

Rating: 57