Guillermo del Toro, Martin Scorsese Praise ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told’ Artistry
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles hosted the world premiere of a 4K restoration of George Stevens’ 1965 epic, “The Greatest Story Ever Told.” This film is recognized as one of Hollywood’s most ambitious projects.
Martin Scorsese’s Tribute
Director Martin Scorsese, whose Film Foundation played a key role in restoring the film, praised Stevens’ artistry through a video introduction. He described “The Greatest Story Ever Told” as the culmination of Stevens’ cinematic journey. According to Scorsese, the film was crafted using Ultra Panavision 70 technology, which resulted in an impressive aspect ratio of 2.76:1.
Scorsese emphasized that it was not just the film’s scale that impressed him but also Stevens’ ability to compose every frame artistically. He noted that post-World War II, Stevens’ works displayed a newfound urgency and focus on themes of good and evil, reflecting events in contemporary society.
Controversial Choices in “The Greatest Story Ever Told”
The film is set against the backdrop of the American West, utilizing locations typically associated with Westerns, such as Death Valley and Moab, Utah. Scorsese highlighted Stevens’ controversial decision to depart from traditional biblical epic locations in the Middle East.
- Key Locations: Death Valley
- Moab, Utah
- Pyramid Lake, Nevada
This artistic choice was part of a broader trend among filmmakers like Nicolas Ray and Pier Paolo Pasolini, who sought a more immediate depiction of the story of Jesus Christ. Scorsese acknowledged the challenges faced during production, which prevented the complete realization of Stevens’ vision but still allowed the film’s emotional weight to resonate.
Guillermo del Toro’s Insights
Filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, a longtime admirer of Stevens, attended the premiere. He delivered a 20-minute lecture on the film, discussing Stevens’ multifaceted career. Del Toro noted that Stevens was active throughout various cinematic eras, from silent films to influential post-war American epics.
He argued against the perception of Stevens as merely a classical filmmaker, asserting that Stevens was a modernist who significantly influenced the New Hollywood movement. Del Toro illustrated that filmmakers like Warren Beatty applied Stevens’ techniques in their own groundbreaking works.
Reflections on Themes of Good and Evil
Del Toro connected Stevens’ work to contemporary social issues and the upheaval within modern cinema, similar to challenges faced during the production of “The Greatest Story Ever Told.” He emphasized Stevens’ ambition to explore profound themes of humanity, which became evident in his post-war films, including “The Diary of Anne Frank.”
According to del Toro, Stevens believed everyone shares responsibility for humanity’s greatest tragedies, including the crucifixion of Jesus. His perspective centered on hope and the inherent goodness within people, as highlighted in “The Greatest Story Ever Told.”
Stevens’ Legacy
George Stevens directed only one film after “The Greatest Story Ever Told” before his retirement. Del Toro reflected on what more Stevens could have accomplished with further opportunities, cementing the director’s enduring influence on cinema.
As del Toro concluded his lecture, he acknowledged the significance of “The Greatest Story Ever Told” in his own life, marking it as an essential viewing experience during his upbringing. The film continues to embody the themes of compassion and humanity that Stevens passionately conveyed throughout his career.
The restoration premiere at the Academy Museum also served as part of the ongoing “George Stevens Lecture on Directing,” celebrating the art and impact of filmmaking. For more information on upcoming events at the museum, visit El-Balad.
