King of Kings (1961)

[PowellPressburger]

KING OF KINGS (1961) will be released from Warner Bros home video in time for the 2011 Easter holiday on March 29th 2011.

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King of Kings Blu-ray pre-order

King of Kings Blu-ray Review

Classic Nicholas Ray released in HD!

Extras will include The Camera's Window of the World vintage featurette, along with premiere newsreels and the film's trailer.

http://www.digitalbits.com has posted the news just today.

Retail price is set at $19.99

[The Mad Kiwi]

Heck yes! Even though I'll be the first to admit that this film has its shortcomings (the biggest of which is that Jesus is a supporting character in His own film), I still love it. It's like a classical painting or stained glass window come to life with absolutely gorgeous cinematography. This should look incredible in HD.

I wish they added more supplements, though. I believe something like 30 minutes of footage was cut out, and I have a hard time believing that not one single scene from that exists. I would've also liked a commentary track from a film historian and/or a "making of" documentary since what little I know of this film's production is fascinating. Oh, well. I'm just happy to finally own this on Blu-ray. Hopefully Jesus of Nazareth and Jesus Christ Superstar aren't too far off.

[PowellPressburger]

I don't think the release will be a digibook because the price is set as $19.99 an usually those go for $34.99 retail.

[The Mad Kiwi]

Yeah, I'm not expecting a Digibook, either, though that would be nice. If we can't get a commentary or featurette made, a "making of" article in a digibook would suffice. I'm not surprised, though. This isn't a high priority catalogue title for Warner, so I'm just grateful we're getting this, period.

[robmlisanti]

I have this on DVD, damn now i'm gonna have to get the Blu ray version!

[Deciazulado]

It was filmed in Technirama (Large-format anamorphic sideways 35mm) so hope it looks good. Specially those blue skies in the mountain.

[Sinbad75]

Always great to see classic epic films finally get blu-ray release, but I have to say I am a little disappointed to see "King of Kings" released before "Ben-Hur" and "The Ten Commandments." IMHO I would rank KofKs a distant third to the other two. Your thoughts?

[HD Goofnut]

I'd rather have The Ten Commandments or Ben Hur. I was never really a fan of King of Kings.

[The Mad Kiwi]

Well, Ben-Hur's confirmed for next year, and the rumors have been growing louder that Ten Commandments is coming next year in a 55th Anniversary Edition. So I really don't see what the big deal is that King of Kings is coming out first. It's the most barebones of the three in terms of supplements, so of course it'll be quicker to churn out; nothing new's being produced. While I agree that Ben-Hur's a better film, I'm going to say right now that I prefer King of Kings over Ten Commandments. It's more sophisticated and less hokey, in my opinion. Let the stoning commence.

[in2video2]

Originally Posted by The Mad Kiwi

Well, Ben-Hur's confirmed for next year, and the rumors have been growing louder that Ten Commandments is coming next year in a 55th Anniversary Edition. So I really don't see what the big deal is that King of Kings is coming out first. It's the most barebones of the three in terms of supplements, so of course it'll be quicker to churn out; nothing new's being produced. While I agree that Ben-Hur's a better film, I'm going to say right now that I prefer King of Kings over Ten Commandments. It's more sophisticated and less hokey, in my opinion. Let the stoning commence.

+1 Have to agree. Set up a firing squad. Glad all three are drawing near to Blu.

[goldenpony]

Best Biblical movie ever made.

[HD Goofnut]

Originally Posted by goldenpony

Best Biblical movie ever made.

I still think The Ten Commandments is a better film.

[Deciazulado]

King of Kings Blu-ray

[PowellPressburger]

I included the amazon.com Blu-Ray Cover art in the first post of the thread.

What is going on at WB's in their art departments!?!

Do they intentionally want to create tacky ugly, and unpleasant representations of their film library?

[OneWayFilms]

Awesome film. TERRIBLE cover art.

Day 1 purchase for me, in SPITE of that cover.

[thebluemax]

Originally Posted by goldenpony

Best Biblical movie ever made.

I thought it was a pretty bad movie, only saving grace is Rozsa's gorgeous music score.

[The Mad Kiwi]

I'm pretty meh on the cover, too, but I'm so tired of seeing of the original Ben-Hur rip-off poster used that I welcome the change. It certainly can be better, though.

[rondanto]

Very happy " King of Kings " is being released .A first day buy for me. The DVD looks magnificent on a HiDef TV. Sermon on Mount looked live a live video broadcast. Can't wait to see what Blu Ray looks like. Thought this would have been a nice package along with Quo Vadis & Ben Hur. Would have used original art work as on the DVD . All we need is an announcement for "Greatest Story Ever Told "

[christsui]

I wish they had re-used this old VHS cover:

[Musicguy]

I don't think the cover looks bad. It's in keeping with the current trend (like Paramount with "True Grit" 1969) of releasing older films with 2010 style colorless poster art