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Some of us might hope the gospel was part of the appeal, too!

Talk About It

1. What do you make of the way the film rearranges the biblical material? Does seeing the stories in new forms open up meanings you hadn't noticed before? Or does it obscure the meaning of the original Scriptures? Does it do both at the same time? Can this be compared, perhaps, to how the Gospels sometimes arrange episodes from Jesus' life in different ways? Explain.
2. What are the pros and cons of telling the gospel story through the "popular" media? Can the story of Jesus ever be told in a way that will appeal to a wide audience? Or is it more important to get the story told, period, and to leave the fine-tuning to the churches?
3. Does anything in this film—such as the opening banquet, or the climactic earthquake, perhaps—seem like it was put there "just because it's a movie"? What stands out most when you watch the film, the spectacle or the message? Does the spectacle ever enhance the message? Does it get in the way? Point to specific scenes.
4. What do you think of this film's portrayal of Jesus? Is he too divine? Not divine enough? Too human? Not human enough? Do you think this film gave audiences back then the Jesus that they wanted, or do you think it challenged their ideas about Jesus? How does seeing the portrayals of Jesus from an earlier era challenge our own ideas?

The Family Corner

The King of Kings is not rated. Violent content is limited to scenes of flogging and crucifixion that are standard for biblical films of this sort. Sexual content is limited to the opening scenes, in which Mary Magdalene wears very suggestive clothing. The film includes several scenes that will appeal especially to children: the future evangelist Mark is depicted here as a young boy who is cured of lameness, and the first time we see Jesus' face, it is through the eyes of a blind girl as her sight is restored; there is also an amusing scene in which a child asks Jesus if, being healer and carpenter, he can mend her doll's broken leg.

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