Barabbas (1961)

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1. 

   Siskoid

   Barabbas tries very hard to be Ben-Hur, following the same structure, with very similar story beats. While it will never have the production values of that film, I think I like Barabbas a little better. Both biblical epics use a side-character briefly intersecting with Jesus' crucifixion, then go on a tour of the Ancient World, but whereas Ben-Hur is a fictional character, Barabbas is directly from the New Testament, the thief whose life is spared on Passover instead of Jesus'. He's not just a witness, he's a participant, and the film explores a possible fate for the man who was saved on the day of the Christ's death. I am very interested in biblical anti-heroes like Barabbas and Judas, and what it may mean to be part of God's plan (for Jesus had to die for the sins of Man) and yet be held in contempt for it. Barabbas becomes a kind of metaphor for how Man is saved by Christ, the first to be, in a sense, and though his heart is hardened against the Christian message by a seeming curse, an inability to die at the hands of Fate (as the trappings of Classical faith lose power, perhaps), leading us to a spiritually ambiguous ending where being resigned to the only faith in town is good enough to earn one's place in Heaven. The movie seems to drive itself into dead ends several times, but it holds on to its central theme well enough, and though it's no blockbuster of a chariot race, the gladiator stuff with Jack Palance as a nasty champion is still good stuff. 4 years 12 months ago
2. 

   ClassicLady

   Title should be "Barabbas" 10 years ago

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