Apr 10th
The Bible: In the Beginning*   
(US/Ita 1966)
Twentieth Century Fox/Seven Arts. 140m. Dimension 150

The book of Genesis, up to the story of Abraham offering his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God.

The Easter religious offering this year is a slightly freaky partial Biblical adaptation (originally planned as a series of films adapting all of the books), with the Garden of Eden looking sinister and dimly lit (for modesty's sake, and a U certificate), followed by a visually impressive rendition of Noah's Ark, and then a pompous latter half with Babel, Abraham, etc. Generally speaking the film would be better as a silent (Huston wanted Chaplin to play Noah who declined because he didn't want to be directed by someone else), and the rest of the Bible managed perfectly well by itself without need of any more Hollywood adaptations.

Written by: Christopher Fry, Jonathan Griffin, Ivo Perilli, Vittorio Bonicelli (and others).
Producer: Dino De Laurentiis.

Director: John Huston.
Starring: Michael Parks (Adam), Ulla Bergryd (Eve), Richard Harris (Cain), Franco Nero (Abel), John Huston (Noah/Narrator/voice of God), Rupella Maggio (Noah's wife), Stephen Boyd (Nimrod), George C. Scott (Abraham), Ava Gardner (Sarah), Peter O'Toole (as Three Angels), Gabriele Ferzetti (Lot), and others.
Photography: Giuseppe Rotunno.
Music: Toshiro Mayuzumi.
Art Direction: Mario Chiari.

Preceded by:

The Priest* 
(GB 1954. Brentwood. 22m. bw; Locally made recruitment documentary for more priests in the Brentwood diocese, featuring some interesting historical archive and also occasionally some very affecting moments.; Commentary: Bernard John Wakeling; ph: Ronald Stern; m: Jose Maria Alcacer.)

THE PRIEST (1954). Offertory at St. James the Less and St. Helen Church in Colchester.