Mar 29th  
Barabbas*      
(US/Ita 1961)       
Columbia/Dino De Laurentiis. 137m. Technirama

The criminal spared at the trial of Jesus spends the rest of his life conflicted by the event.
Laboured Biblical drama seen from the sidelines, trying to exceed Ben-Hur with more thoughtful overtones, but lacking the spectacle of a chariot race, although the Coliseum is impressively recreated, but routinely filmed.

Written by: Christopher Fry, based on the novel by Par Lagerkvist.
Producer: Dino De Laurentiis.
Director: Richard Fleischer.
Starring: Anthony Quinn, Silvano Mangano, Vittorio Gassman, Arthur Kennedy (as Pilate), Harry Andrews (as Peter), Jack Palance, Katy Jurado, Valentina Cortesa, Norman Wooland, Ernest Borgnine, Douglas Fowley.
Photography: Aldo Tonti.
Music: Mario Nascimbene.
Art Direction: Mario Chiari.

BARABBAS (1961). The crucifixion scene, filmed in Italy to coincide with a Solar eclipse. Whether Work of God or not, the corona shines in a cross shape directly over the central cross.