Tuesday, December 18, 2012

He Who Must Die (1957)


He Who Must Die (1957)
Celui qui doit mourir (original title)
122 min

Country: Italy | France
Language: French



Director: Jules Dassin
Writers: Ben Barzman, Jules Dassin, Nikos Kazantzakis (novel "O Hristos Xanastavronetai"),André Obey
Stars: Jean Servais, Carl Möhner and Grégoire Aslan

Greece, in the 1920's, is occupied by the Turks. The country is in turmoil with entire villages uprooted. The site of the movie is a Greek village that conducts a passion play each year. The leading citizens of the town, under the auspices of the Patriarch, choose those that will play the parts in the Passion. A stuttering shepherd is chosen to play Jesus. The town butcher (who wanted to be Jesus) is chosen as Judas. The town prostitute is chosen as Mary Magdalene. The rest of the disciples are also chosen. As the movie unfolds, the Passion Play becomes a reality. A group of villagers, uprooted by the war and impoverished, arrive at the village led by their priest. The wealthier citizens of the town want nothing with these people and manipulate a massacre. In the context of the 1920's each of the characters plays out their biblical role in actuality. Written by Sarvananda Bluestone <sarv@mhv.net>  (IMDB)

No comments:

Post a Comment