Produced and directed by George Stevens , with an ensemble cast , it features the final film performances of Claude Rains and Joseph Schildkraut.
The Greatest Story Ever Told originated as a half-hour radio series in , inspired by the four canonical Gospels. The series was later adapted into a novel by Fulton Oursler. In , Twentieth Century Fox acquired the film rights to Oursler's novel, but development stalled for several years. In November , Stevens became involved with the project, which he agreed to write and direct. However, in September , Fox withdrew from the project because of uncertainty concerning its presumptive cost and its thematic similarities to King of Kings , another religious biopic of Jesus.
A few months later, Stevens moved the project to United Artists. He decided to film the project in the Southwestern United States , rather than the Middle East , and principal photography began on October 29, Filming fell behind schedule due to Stevens' tedious shooting techniques; David Lean and Jean Negulesco were brought in to film some sequences.
The film wrapped on August 1, It did receive five Academy Award nominations. Three wise men Magi follow a brightly shining star from Asia to Jerusalem in search of the newborn king it portents. They are summoned by King Herod the Great , whose advisers inform him of a Messiah mentioned in various prophecies. When Herod remembers that a prophecy names nearby Bethlehem as the child's birthplace, he sends the Magi there to confirm the child's existence, but secretly sends guards to follow them and to "keep [him] informed.
Mary states that the child's name is Jesus. As the local shepherds watch, the Magi present gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the infant. After observing the distant spies' departure, the magi leave, then an angel's voice warns Joseph to "take the child" and "flee. The spies inform Herod of what has occurred, and he decides to kill the child by ordering the death of every new-born boy in Bethlehem. He dies after being informed that "not one is alive.
