The Great Commandment

The oldest, yet longest, of the four religious films commissioned by various Christian groups that I watched (I opted not to go through too much 'straight' stuff while waiting for the result of the General Elections over here!) actually had the backing of one of the Hollywood majors – Twentieth Century Fox. The familiar events of The Passion are played out as a backdrop to the main narrative – that involving a couple of zealot brothers who clash over their mission (the impulsive younger sibling wants to act now while the more practical older one, played by John Beal, wants to wait for the arrival of The Messiah); the latter also falls out with his father because he has in mind for him to become a scholar while marrying off Beal's sweetheart to his brother! Eventually, he sets out to find Jesus and offer him his sword of allegiance – but he slowly comes to understand his message of Peace and Love. Also involved is a Roman officer, well played by Albert Dekker: as it turns out, Beal's brother winds up dead after an attempt on Dekker's life (who is crippling the Jews with taxes, gathered by the "snivelling" and typically slimy Ian Wolfe); however, Beal – inspired by his new faith – takes care of the wounded Dekker who, noticing the Jews' confusion and anger at Beal for his conduct, decides to lock him up. During his tenure in jail, it transpires that Christ was tried, convicted and crucified; still baffled by Beal's behavior, Dekker asks him to explain – the catch is that the person who 'converted' Beal towards helping even his enemies turns out to be the very same one in whose side Dekker had just driven the proverbial spear!

IF your looking for lots of bible in this movie it is lacking but the message is here and that message is don't judge a book by it's cover. If you are seeking the truth you will find it. This movie is about a zealot who becomes a changed man even after his own brother is killed by a ROMAN soldier. Some preaching of the actor playing Jesus Christ is shown but more would have been better. I liked the other movies the Rev. JAMES K. FRIEDRICH did much better like "THE LIVING CHRIST SERIES" and "THE LIVING BIBLE" also called"THE LIFE OF CHRIST" and even "LIFE OF ST. PAUL SERIES".Well keep the good,throw away the bad. Well as far as i know it was his first movie in 1939.

Well done especially for such an older film. Not all saccharin-like dialogue as in many older films. The dialogue was serious enough and everything wa tastefully done. The plot is straightforward and not full of twistsand turns and complexities like so many newer films are. Yet though Ilike many older films, even the flash-shots and fast camera action ofnewer films such as many adventure films like "Bourne Ultimatum," I can also equally enjoy the older style films with more of a storybook narrative such as this one. I also enjoyed the shot wedding festival scene and the singing. Also, Jesus himself was displayed in a low-key manner where you do not even see his face. He did not "steal the show." And the Scriptures used reflect Jesus message of love and forgiveness which go along with the central theme of the movie. I also liked the fact that Beal's character, Joel, was not instantly "converted" to the Lord's Gospel. Seemed more real that way. I saw this on a cheap CD set of older Christian films and I was pleasantly surprised.