Legendary Directors Honor Hollywood Classic
Los Angeles – Martin Scorsese and Guillermo del Toro recently paid tribute to one of Hollywood's most ambitious cinematic achievements during a special event at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The occasion marked the world premiere of a breathtaking 4K restoration of George Stevens' 1965 biblical epic, The Greatest Story Ever Told.
Scorsese, whose own The Last Temptation of Christ stands as a benchmark in biblical filmmaking, delivered a video introduction that highlighted the extraordinary artistry behind Stevens' masterpiece. The film, which was shot in Ultra Panavision 70 with an unprecedented aspect ratio of 2.76:1, represents a pinnacle of cinematic ambition that continues to inspire filmmakers decades later.
A Masterpiece Reborn
The restoration project, which was overseen by Scorsese's renowned Film Foundation, has brought new life to a film that was previously accessible only in degraded versions. The 4K restoration maintains the film's original grandeur, allowing contemporary audiences to experience the film as it was intended.
"The film was shot in Ultra Panavision 70 with lenses that yielded an aspect ratio of 2.76 to 1, and it was breathtaking," Scorsese noted in his remarks. "But it wasn’t just the size of the image, it was the imprint of the man behind the camera who knew how to fill that frame, how to compose it. And composer seems like the right word to describe George Stevens and the extraordinary level of artistry he reached at that point in his life and career."
Stevens' Cinematic Journey
Scorsese traced the evolution of Stevens' work, noting how the director's post-WWII films took on new urgency and purpose. Works like A Place in the Sun, Shane, Giant, and The Diary of Anne Frank demonstrated a growing focus on themes of evil, greed, and violence.
"He began to pay very close attention to evil, to the greed and the hatred and the raw murderous violence that can overtake us all if we don’t all pay attention," Scorsese explained. "Those pictures are grand cinematic canvases, but they’re also urgent warnings to take care of our goodness and our love."
Although Stevens wasn't particularly religious, he saw in the story of Jesus Christ an opportunity to explore these themes on an epic scale. "The Greatest Story Ever Told is the summation," Scorsese declared. "It’s the final movement of Stevens’ multi-picture symphony. Stevens chose to enact the story on a scale of mythic grandeur and timeless immensity. This picture was years in the making at a cost of thousands."
Innovative Production Choices
One of the film's most distinctive features is its unconventional choice of locations. Rather than traditional Middle Eastern settings, Stevens shot in locations across the American West, including Death Valley, Moab, Utah, and Pyramid Lake in Nevada.
"It’s an extraordinary idea and it works beautifully," Scorsese commented on this artistic decision. "The American landscape, with its vastness and its stark beauty, becomes a metaphor for the spiritual journey at the heart of the story."
Del Toro's Perspective
Joining Scorsese in honoring the film was Guillermo del Toro, whose own work spans diverse genres and demonstrates a deep appreciation for cinematic artistry. Del Toro, known for his own ambitious productions like Pan's Labyrinth and The Shape of Water, shared his admiration for Stevens' achievement.
"There are films that attempt to capture the ineffable, and then there are films that actually do so," del Toro stated. "Stevens' film belongs in this latter category. It's a work that doesn't just tell a story – it creates a world, one that continues to resonate with audiences today."
The Importance of Preservation
The event underscored the vital role of film preservation in maintaining our cinematic heritage. Scorsese's Film Foundation, established in 1990, has been instrumental in restoring numerous classic films that might otherwise have been lost to time and neglect.
"Film preservation isn't just about saving old movies," Scorsese emphasized. "It's about preserving our cultural memory, our history, our art. These films are part of who we are as a society, and they deserve to be protected and shared with future generations."
Cultural Impact and Legacy
The Greatest Story Ever Told remains one of Hollywood's most ambitious and controversial films. Its nearly four-hour running time, star-studded cast, and experimental approach to a sacred story made it both a critical and commercial challenge upon its release.
Yet, as Scorsese and del Toro's celebration suggests, the film has achieved a place in cinema history as a bold artistic statement. Its influence can be seen in subsequent epic productions and its technical innovations continue to be studied by film students.
"There are films that attempt to capture the ineffable, and then there are films that actually do so," del Toro stated. "Stevens' film belongs in this latter category. It's a work that doesn't just tell a story – it creates a world, one that continues to resonate with audiences today."
The Future of Epic Filmmaking
As contemporary cinema continues to grapple with the challenges of creating meaningful epic storytelling in an age of digital production, the restoration of The Greatest Story Ever Told serves as both inspiration and caution.
"We need to remember what makes these films work beyond just their technical achievements," Scorsese reflected. "It's the passion, the conviction, the belief in what film can do that matters most. Those are the things that connect with audiences across generations."
The celebration at the Academy Museum wasn't just a tribute to one film; it was a reaffirmation of cinema's power to explore the deepest questions of human existence. In an era when blockbuster filmmaking often prioritizes spectacle over substance, the restored The Greatest Story Ever Told stands as a reminder of what cinema at its best can achieve.
As audiences continue to seek meaningful stories that transcend the ordinary, films like The Greatest Story Ever Told, preserved and protected by visionaries like Scorsese and del Toro, will continue to offer both inspiration and instruction for future generations of filmmakers and audiences alike.
