La storia di Ruth

"The Story of Ruth" was a modest production of a biblical story in the days when most tales from the Bible were large scale epics. The screenplay does expand the early portion of Ruth's story. Ruth (lovely Elana Eden) is a priestess in the temple of the religious idol worshipped in her native country of Moab. She meets the Hebrew Mahlon (Tom Tryon) whose invisible diety she cannot understand. Mahlon marries Ruth as he dies and she follows her mother-in-law, Naomi (Peggy Wood), back to her native land of Judah. Here the relationship between Ruth and Naomi is beautifully developed as the two women try to eke out a meager existence. All the while they have to deal with the strict rules of the Hebrews and particularly the council of elders who find out about Ruth's former belief in the pagan religion. It is Ruth's new faith in the one G-d of Naomi which finally brings her love and hope for a future in her adopted homeland. Stuart Whitman portrays her new romantic interest, Boaz. Jeff Morrow (Tob) is his rival for Ruth's hand and adds a welcome bit of humor to the proceedings. Viveca Lindfors portrays the High Priestess back in Moab in her inimitable style. The second half of the films adheres fairly close to the biblical text, and its pastoral scenes and quiet drama contrast to the more action oriented first half. However, director Henry Koster has kept his story moving along aided by a fine musical score by Franz Waxman. The story transcends some wooden acting and occasionally static dramatic scenes. The viewer will be swept along by the unusual tale of women triumphing over adversity in a male-dominated society.

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.

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!