The Greatest Story Ever Told

Continuity mistake: When John baptizes Jesus, Jesus' hair is dripping water onto his shoulders as seen from the front. As seen from the back, there's no dripping at all.

Factual error: Many of the panoramic scenes in this film capture breathtaking views of mountain ranges completely covered with snow - a geographical feature not to be found in the Holy Land. It is found on occasion, though, in Arizona, where these sequences were actually shot. Other scenes show desert bluffs, mesas and arches that are also not found in the Middle East: they're the distinctive formations of the Arches National Park in Utah, USA.

Jean G

Revealing mistake: At the very end, a violent storm engulfs Jerusalem and the people viewing the crucifixion. In the close ups, you can see rain falling, but no one appears to be getting wet.

Continuity mistake: Jesus's cross is considerably longer in length than in the close ups by several feet at least.

Continuity mistake: t When the three kings are in front of Herod, his son stands behind his throne. In the next shot, he steps to the side. The man sitting on his right is further away than in the following shot, sitting right next to the throne. Both astrology guys are not present in the next shot when he talks with the three kings. The clothing his son is wearing changes colors, and the whole garment is different because it shows in the shot after he tells the guard to follow them. His son has darker clothing with a breastplate. (00:08:26 - 00:10:16)

Soldier: I have orders to bring you to Herod, Baptist.
John the Baptist: I have orders to bring you to God... heathen.

More quotes from The Greatest Story Ever Told

Trivia: This was the last film to be partially shot in Cinerama, a technique that was abandoned due to cost issues. On studio orders, director George Stevens had to re-shoot large portions of this movie in 70mm instead, causing delays that created huge cost overruns, and a two-year delay in releasing the film.

Jean G

More trivia for The Greatest Story Ever Told

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