La storia di Ruth

I remember seeing this on its first run and its color was marvelous. The human sacrifice scene to the god Moloch was chilling.

Of particular interest is the dialogue between Mahlon (Tom Tryon) and Ruth (Elana Eden) about religion. Mahlon, the Hebrew, tries to explain to Ruth, a pagan virgin votary, how his people could worship an invisible God. This deep theological discussion came about because Ruth asked the question. Mahlon gave a wonderful illustrative example.

He said: "Imagine that you are soldier in the battlefield and you wish to pray to save your army and for victory. How would you do that?"

Ruth answered that she would think of the image of her god and pray.

Mahlon then explained that in that case, the god she would be praying to would be invisible.

I have always liked biblical epics and thought that I'd seen them all, but while watching a feature on them I saw listed "The Story of Ruth." I knew nothing of this story of the Old Testament, so I purchased the DVD. The film, made in 1960, shortly after the release of "Ben Hur" was not an epic in the sense of 'a cast of thousands' with big name stars, but rather a simply told story, both moving and charmingly portrayed by a cast who excelled in their respective roles and brilliantly directed by Henry Coaster, with a literate script by Norman Corwin. Stuart Whitman was never better than in his role as Boaz and newcomer Elana Eden was stunningly beautiful and very impressive as Ruth. In fact, it surprises me that her career waned after "Story of Ruth." The always great Peggy Wood was Oscar worthy as Naomi and the rest of the players were also well cast. Franz Waxman's score was moving and added a reverence to the entire film. It seemed pretty accurate for the most part. I wondered if there was any truth to the fact that Ruth was sold to the Moabites by her father, as my sources (Biblical dictionaries) are pretty concise. To summarize, I must say that I really enjoyed this film!

In the period from the 1940s to the 1960s there was on Hollywood the craze of making biblical epics, and while some they are lavish (like David and Bathsheba or Samson and Delilah), others, like this, are humble but pleasant to watch. And this one in particular is faithful to the Bible.

The movie is based on the Biblical book of Ruth, and it's divided in three parts. In her youth Ruth is portrayed as a pagan idolatress that believes in the blood-thirsty God Kemosh, but she meets Mahlon, a young artisan, and his family, and soon she becomes doubtful of her religion and begins to believe in a God of peace. When the high Priest discovers it, arrests Ruth, Mahlon, and his family. While Mahlon is forced to work at the quarries, Ruth tries to make him free, but he is killed by a guard. So she goes to Bethlehem with Naomi (Mahlon's mother) and falls in love with Boaz, an handsome landowner that let her work in his wheat fields. But soon Boaz's brother tries to capture Ruth's heart, and after some discussions, she finally declares her feelings for Boaz and marries him.

I loved this movie so much, and I explain the reasons: the scenery is wonderful, the soundtrack by Alfred Newman is majestic. And the actors, although not great ones, gave great performances here; Stuart Whitman is excellent as Boaz, and it's one of his best leading man roles; Tom Tryon is also convincing as Mahlon, the Judean that converts Ruth to a better religion and monotheism, and Peggy Wood is great as Naomi, Mahlon's mother that is also a spiritual guide for Ruth.

This is maybe one of the best bible-based movies ever made in Hollywood. A must-see.

After having missed out on it several times on Italian TV, I've managed to catch up with this - as it turned out - underrated Biblical epic via Fox's pleasing DVD edition. It's a typically lavish production with a nice Franz Waxman score and a decent cast: unknown Elana Eden makes for a convincing heroine; Tom Tryon is the leading man during the first half (until he is killed off), with Stuart Whitman taking over in the second part of the narrative; Peggy Wood is a dignified Noemi; and Jeff Morrow delivers an amusing performance as a perennially drunk Jewish merchant and Eden's suitor.

Not knowing much about the Biblical story, the lengthy expository events - akin to the similarly irrelevant ones (of the young Moses in Egypt) depicted in THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956) - were a welcome addition; as a matter of fact, Viveca Lindfors - a strong presence during these early stages - disappears altogether once the scene shifts to Judea! Typical of most epics of the time, the film feels overlong and could do with some trimming - especially in its more reverent second half - but it's one I wouldn't mind owning on DVD, especially if Fox would consider releasing a collection of their Biblical epics (comprising as well David AND BATSHEBA [1951], THE ROBE [1953], DEMETRIUS AND THE GLADIATORS [1954] and THE BIBLE...IN THE BEGINNING [1966]).

At the age of 14, I idly turned on the TV in the afternoon and saw this movie just beginning. I felt drawn to see it as I was brought up on Bible stories and knew the story of Ruth pretty well. I was intrigued to see how it would be dramatised.

I was fascinated at the movie's expansion of the Book of Ruth's simple account of Ruth's Moabite beginnings, the evil of this pagan civilization which sacrificed its own children to Moloch. This part of the movie is in fact well authenticated by other parts of Scripture.

I was impressed by the beauty of the actress playing Ruth, and by her portrayal of the beauty of Ruth's character.

I was immediately aware that some license was taken with the beginnings of the relationship between Ruth and Boaz. In the Biblical version he was certainly never hostile to her! However as the love story progressed it had exactly the character of the loving kindness of the kinsman redeemer exemplified in the Biblical Boaz.

So much did this quality of deep love based on respect and loving kindness which cares for and wants to look after the beloved impress me that it actually became a standard against all future love stories, both fictional and real, were to be measured by me. For quite a number of years it was almost an unconscious influence, but in my mid 20's when I started seriously considering marriage,it surfaced and became a requirement for me in the man I would marry, and in the love we would have for each other. Somehow this love of Ruth and Boaz seemed much more REAL than almost all the romances I would see in movies or read about.

In fact the whole story of Ruth became a pattern for my life, after I returned to faith and sought a life in which God would be my Guide.

So much so that I now live in Israel, not far from where Ruth came to live with Naomi . I did find my "Boaz", who had been in some ways so clearly exemplified for me in "The Story of Ruth".

I still vividly remember the movie and am grateful that , even though it took some small "liberties" with the Biblical story, it was true to the spirit of the Book of Ruth!