The Big Fisherman
US (1959): Drama/Epic
The lush romanticism of director Frank Borzage is subsumed by the plodding reverence of producer Rowland V. Lee's screenplay (co-written with Howard Estabrook), based on the best-selling novel by Lloyd C. Douglas. Howard Keel stars as a stalwart Simon-Peter, the apostle of Christ called "the fisher of men" and the "Rock" upon whom the Christian Church was founded. The film, on the surface, deals with Simon-Peter's conversion from a self-sufficient fisherman to a believer in the inspirational teachings of Christianity. Simon-Peter also serves the needs of the real story: how Simon-Peter succeeds in joining together two lovers from the other side of the tracks.
John Saxon is Voldi, an Arab prince who wants to follow in his father's footsteps as the chief of an Arab tribe and marry his beloved, Fara (Susan Kohner). But Fara, wants to see her father, Herod Antipas (Herbert Lom), dead for the misery he has inflicted upon her mother -- abandoning her for the lustful Herodias (Martha Hyer). When Voldi and Fara hear the teachings of Christ, they realize that their love must be put in abeyance to their Christian beliefs. (Centurion/Buena Vista) (Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide)
Coming as it did right after Ben-Hur and right before Spartacus, there are few who can remember seeing Howard Keel in his only wide-screen Biblical epic.
3 nominations
· Art Direction/Set Decoration (Color) 1959: John De Cuir - Art Direction; Julia Heron - Set Decoration
· Cinematography (Color) 1959: Lee Garmes
· Costume Design (Color) 1959: Renie