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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r |
directed by Cecil
B. DeMille
USA 1927
A production of unprecedented scale, The King of Kings followed DeMille’s 1923 epic The Ten Commandments, employing cutting edge filmmaking techniques to bring the story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to the screen. Boasting Technicolor segments, sophisticated hand coloring process and synchronized sound effects, The King of Kings is an enduring cinematic marvel. *** Cecil B. DeMille’s silent epic film depicts the final weeks of Jesus Christ’s life, blending reverence with cinematic spectacle. It begins with Mary Magdalene (Jacqueline Logan), a glamorous courtesan, seeking Jesus (H.B. Warner) after Judas Iscariot’s devotion shifts to Him. Key events unfold: Jesus casts out the seven deadly sins from Mary Magdalene, raises Lazarus, and expels the moneychangers from the temple. The narrative follows His ministry, the Last Supper, betrayal by Judas (Joseph Schildkraut), trial before Pontius Pilate (Victor Varconi), Crucifixion, and Resurrection, with the latter vividly portrayed in Technicolor. Using Bible verses for intertitles, DeMille crafts a dramatic, visually stunning retelling of Christ’s Passion. *** The King of Kings is the Greatest Story Ever Told as only Cecil B. DeMille could tell it. In 1927, working with the biggest budget in the history of Hollywood, DeMille spun the life and Passion of Christ into one of the highest-grossing films of all time. Featuring text drawn directly from the Bible, a cast of thousands, and a cinematic bag of tricks that could belong to none other than Hollywood’s greatest showman, The King of Kings is at once spectacular and deeply reverent—part Gospel, part Technicolor epic. Arguably one of the best-loved films ever made in a 112-minute general release version and the rarely seen 155-minute cut that premiered at the grand opening of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. |
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Theatrical Release: April 19th, 1927- USA
Reviews More Reviews DVD Reviews
Comparison
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Criterion (2-disc) - Region 0- NTSC vs. Lobster Films - Region FREE - Blu-ray vs. Flicker Alley - Region FREE - Blu-ray
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Distribution | Criterion Collection - Spine # 266 - Region 0 - NTSC | Lobster Films - Region FREE - Blu-ray | Flicker Alley - Region FREE - Blu-ray |
Runtime | 2:37:25 | 1:55:35.291 + 2:40:23.125 | 1:55:24.000 + 2:40:56.708 |
Video |
1.33:1 Original Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 6.20 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s |
General Release version (1928): 1.33:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 21,749,480,916 bytesFeature: 19,538,313,216 bytes Video Bitrate: 17.98 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Roadshow (1927) 1.33:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 46,118,584,956 bytesFeature: 34,301,411,328 bytesVideo Bitrate: 2 5.02 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video |
General Release version (1928): 1.33:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 43,966,211,646 bytesFeature: 32,711,386,752 bytesVideo Bitrate: 34.07 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Roadshow (1927) 1.33:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 47,109,373,294 bytesFeature: 47,067,717,120 bytes Video Bitrate: 34.09 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video |
NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes. |
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Bitrate: Lobster
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Bitrate: Lobster Blu-ray Roadshow |
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Bitrate: Flicker
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Bitrate: Flicker Alley Blu-ray Roadshow |
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Audio | Silent (Dolby Digital 1.0 mono) |
General Release version (1928)
Hugo Riesenfeld: LPCM Audio 1536
kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps / 16-bit
Roadshow (1927)
LPCM Audio 1536 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1536 kbps /
16-bit |
General Release version (1928)
Hugo Riesenfeld: DTS-HD Master
Audio English 962 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 962 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48
kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit) DTS-HD Master Audio English 823 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 823 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit)
Roadshow (1927) Robert Israel:
DTS-HD Master Audio English 1783 kbps 5.1 / 48
kHz / 1783 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 768 kbps / 24-bit) Dolby Digital Audio English 112 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 112 kbps / DN -30dB |
Subtitles | Intertitles are in original English | Intertitles are in original English | Intertitles are in original English |
Features |
Release Information: Edition Details:
• New, restored digital transfers of both versions of The King of Kings:
DeMille’s 155-minute roadshow version and his subsequent 112-minute
general release |
Release Information: Studio: Lobster Films
General Release version (1928): 1.33:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 21,749,480,916 bytesFeature: 19,538,313,216 bytes Video Bitrate: 17.98 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Roadshow (1927) 1.33:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 46,118,584,956 bytesFeature: 34,301,411,328 bytesVideo Bitrate: 2 5.02 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Edition Details:
• Set Visit (7:46) 3 DVDs of the two presentations 32-page booklet (French)
Two Transparent (thick) Blu-ray cases inside cardboard box case Chapters 12 + 18 |
Release Information: Studio: Lobster Films
General Release version (1928): 1.33:1 1080P Single-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 43,966,211,646 bytesFeature: 32,711,386,752 bytesVideo Bitrate: 34.07 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Roadshow (1927) 1.33:1 1080P Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 47,109,373,294 bytesFeature: 47,067,717,120 bytes Video Bitrate: 34.09 MbpsCodec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
Edition Details:
• Audio Commentary by Marc Wanamaker (Roadshow Version)
Transparent (thick) Blu-ray case Chapters 21 + 24 |
Comments: |
NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc. ADDITION: Flicker Alley Blu-ray (May 2025): Flicker Alley has also transferred Cecil B. DeMille’s "The King of Kings" to Blu-ray. It is cited as "Blu-ray Authoring by David Mackenzie of Fidelity In Motion". Flicker Alley presents The King of Kings on two separate Blu-ray discs: the longer roadshow version and the general release cut. The restoration, supported by Cecilia DeMille Presley, delivers a remarkable visual experience for a 1927 silent film. The high-definition transfer showcases a clean, sharp image with careful attention to repairing scratches, dust, and wear from aging prints. Black-and-white sequences exhibit strong contrast with deep blacks and bright whites, enhancing details like the texture of costumes and the grandeur of DeMille’s sets (e.g., Mary Magdalene’s opulent palace, the sprawling temple). The standout feature is the Technicolor sequences, particularly the Resurrection, where vivid reds, blues, and golds come through with surprising vibrancy for a nearly century-old film. The roadshow version retains an opening Technicolor segment with Mary Magdalene’s lavish celebration, a highlight lost in black-and-white in the general release. Some minor flaws - slight softness in distant shots or faint flickering - persist as expected from source limitations, but the restoration elevates the visual majesty, capturing DeMille’s blend of spectacle and reverence. The 2017 Lobster Films Blu-ray, also a restored effort, offers a comparable presentation, often sourced from similar archival materials. Both releases excel in clarity and contrast, but Flicker Alley’s transfer edges out slightly in stabilizing frame jitter and refining grain structure, especially in crowd scenes (e.g., the Crucifixion). Our static captures cannot show this superiority. Lobster Films’ color sequences are also rich, but Flicker Alley’s Technicolor restoration feels a touch more saturated and refined, particularly in the roadshow cut. It could be the more robust transfer - maxed out bitrates - for both cuts. Both companies renderings are impressive, though Flicker Alley’s approach gives it broader scope. They have elevated the Lobster films viewing experience another impressive notch. NOTE: We have added 37 more large resolution Blu-ray captures (in lossless PNG format) for DVDBeaver Patrons HERE. On their Blu-ray, Flicker Alley uses a DTS-HD Master tracks (24-bit) with original English intertitles. As a silent film, The King of Kings has no dialogue or original sound effects, but the Flicker Alley Blu-ray enriches the experience with multiple audio options. The roadshow version features a new orchestral score by Robert Israel, based on Hugo Riesenfeld’s 1928 composition, available in 5.1 Surround DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 Stereo DTS-HD. The 5.1 mix is immersive, with strings and brass swelling across channels to match the drama - gentle for Jesus’ ministry, intense for the Crucifixion’s storm and earthquake. The soundstage feels wide yet balanced with clear instrumentation and no distortion. For the 1928 general release, two scores are included: Hugo Riesenfeld’s original orchestral score and an organ score by Christian Elliott, both in 2.0 Stereo. The orchestral track carries a classic, robust feel, complementing the film’s epic scale while the organ score offers a traditional, church-like ambiance, rich and resonant. Both are clean and well-recorded, though the 5.1 surround for the roadshow version stands out for its depth and dynamism. Flicker Alley’s Blu-ray edge lies in the 5.1 Surround DTS-HD Master Audio option, providing a more enveloping experience than Lobster’s typical 2.0 offerings. Both handle stereo well with clear, crisp sound, but Flicker Alley’s variety - 5.1 for the roadshow, dual scores for the general release - gives it a slight advantage in flexibility and impact. There are English language intertitles. These Blu-rays are Region FREE. Historian Marc Wanamaker (The Hollywood Behind the Lens: Treasures from the Bison Archives) delivers a detailed commentary for the roadshow version. He explores the film’s history, DeMille’s vision, the legacy of its premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, and production challenges. His insights into casting (e.g., H.B. Warner as Jesus) and DeMille’s reverence for the subject are engaging and informative. The rest of the extras are on the second disc Blu-ray housing the General Release version. Included is a 21-minute feature, with commentary by Wanamaker, showcasing rare behind-the-scenes footage - DeMille directing extras, building sets, and staging miracles, like Lazarus’ raising. It reveals the scale of the production with thousands of extras and massive sets, and Wanamaker’s narration adds context on DeMille’s methods. ‘The King of Kings’ Set Visit - runs 8 minutes, offering a staged “visit” to the set, part of the film’s promotional push. It shows DeMille at work, actors in costume, and glimpses of the temple and Golgotha sets, giving a charming, vintage look at the publicity machine. A 6-minute silent clip captures the film’s May 1927 premiere in Germany. Crowds gather and theater marquees glow, reflecting the global buzz. It’s a brief but fascinating snapshot of the film’s international reach. Pathé Week on Broadway is a 4 1/2-minute animated short from 1927, tied to Pathé’s promotional efforts. This quirky cartoon hypes the film’s Broadway run, blending humor and marketing in a delightful, period-specific gem. This 3-minute featurette, Negative A / Negative B, explains DeMille’s use of multiple negatives (A and B) to create different cuts. It covers the technical process - shooting variants for editing flexibility - and offers a concise look at early filmmaking craft. Technicolor - A Look into the Innovative Process Behind the Film’s Color Sequences is a 5-minute piece diving into the two-strip Technicolor process, used for the Resurrection and roadshow opening. It explains the pioneering technique - combining red and green to create vivid hues - and shows how it awed 1927 audiences. Clips highlight the restored color’s impact. Hand Coloring Onto the Film - A Look at the Painstaking Process Used to Colorize Individual Elements of Various Scenes is a 3.5-minute featurette detailing the hand-coloring process, where artists meticulously painted frames to enhance scenes (e.g., robes, flames). With examples and explanation, it underscores the labor-intensive artistry of silent-era color. Lastly, there is a rich collection of gallery images: behind-the-scenes photos of DeMille and crew, concept art by Dan Sayre Groesbeck, vibrant posters, and archival documents (e.g., studio memos). Global sourcing adds depth, showcasing the film’s creation and promotion. The Flicker Alley package includes a souvenir booklet with an introduction by Serge Bromberg (of Lobster Films), detailing the film’s legacy, notes on the restoration process (e.g., repairing nitrate prints), and insights into alternate versions, like the roadshow and general cuts. It’s a valuable, well-written companion. The package has a reversible sleeve (see below.) The Roadshow cut offers a lavish, immersive experience with look and sound in sync for maximum awe, ideal for dedicated viewers. The General Release version sacrifices depth for efficiency. Its visuals and sound are still powerful but streamlined for broader appeal. The Flicker Alley Blu-ray with Technicolor sequences is a particular treat - slightly superior to the 2017 Lobster Films Blu-ray in stabilization and color richness. The surround mix on the Flicker Alley Roadshow version brings the orchestra to life with subtle directional effects (e.g., storm sounds in rear channels during the Crucifixion) that amplify DeMille’s spectacle. It’s a robust, modern complement to the silent visuals. The stereo tracks suit the shorter cut’s faster pace, offering viewers a choice of mood. The extras are a treasure trove - Wanamaker’s commentary, behind-the-scenes footage, and technical featurettes illuminate the film’s craft and history, complemented by galleries and a detailed booklet. Compared to the 2017 Lobster Films, Flicker Alley's Blu-ray offers a more comprehensive package, making it the definitive release for fans and silent film enthusiasts. To that group, this has our strongest recommendation. *** UPDATE: Lobster Films (January 2019): This Blu-ray package lives up to the numerous accolades it has received. The shorter 1928 version is on a single-layered disc and starts with the following: "The short version of THE KING OF KINGS is based on the 1928 sound version edit, the most commonly distributed around the world. The camera negatives of The King Of Kings have long decomposed. Beside the authentic titles, the images are taken from the 2017 digital restoration, mostly based on Cecil B. De Mille's personal silent nitrate tinted print, preserved in the George Eastman Museum (GEM) collections. It also includes an ensemble of Technicolor negatives and prints from the UCLA Film & Television Archive and the David Pierce film collection, and whatever survives of the black and white preservation elements struck by GEM in the 1950s and Modern Sound Pictures (Keith Smith) in the 1970s.4K scan performed in 2016 at Film
Preservation Services (GEM) and Lobster Films. Restoration work carried out in
Lobster Films laboratories in 2017. Original music recording of the Hugo
Riesenfeld score restored in 2017 at LE Diapason laboratory. " 4K scan performed in 2016 at Film Preservation Services (GEM) and Lobster Films. Restoration work carried out in Lobster Films laboratories in 2017." The scores (Hugo Riesenfeld or Christian Elliot) are lossless (linear PCM) for the short version as well as for the 2.0 channel LPCM channel track on the 1927 version with a lossy 5.1 option. There are optional French subtitles for the English language intertitles. These Blu-rays are Region FREE. Extras are all on the 1927 version disc and are mostly silent with a couple in French with optional English subtitles. There are lost of archival images and it they are very good in dealing with DeMille, the restoration, the color process etc. There are 2 DVDs of the two versions and a 30-page booklet in French with photos. Although majority sepia tints the lesser-seen longer version has the two color sequences. This is pure gold. If you are unfamiliar with Silent Era films - you can dive headfirst into this... beware: you may get obsessed! Gary Tooze ***
ON THE DVD: The 1927 version is presented here in an
excellent transfer despite some fairly significant damage to the original
elements. Black and White scenes show some impressive detail. On occasion whites
look a little blown out, but for the most part contrast is as perfect as a film
of this age is going to look. Colour scenes are heavily damaged and exhibit some
major flicker. These portions within the 1927 version still have much better
contrast than the 1928 version. The score sounds very good with a wide range of
fidelity (it should as it is a brand new recording). It is presented as a Dolby
Digital 2.0 track, not a DD 5.1 mix as stated on the Criterion website. Extras
on disc one are very informative, but are mostly text and image based, except
for the trailers. |
DVD Menus
1927 version - LEFT - 1928 version - RIGHT
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Lobster Films - Region FREE - Blu-ray
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Blu-ray 2
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Flicker Alley - Region FREE - Blu-ray
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Flicker Alley - Region FREE - Blu-ray 2
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CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION
1) Criterion - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP 2) Lobster Films - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Lobster Films (1928 - short version) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TOP2) Lobster Films (1927 - Roadshow) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - SECOND 3) Flicker Alley (1928 - short version) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD 4) Flicker Alley (1927 - Roadshow) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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NOTE: some frames simply do not exist in the 1928 shorter version!
1) Criterion (1928 - short version) - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP 2) Criterion (1927 - Roadshow) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Lobster Films (1928 - short version) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD 4) Lobster Films (1927 - Roadshow) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - FOURTH 5) Flicker Alley (1928 - short version) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - FIFTH 6) Flicker Alley (1927 - Roadshow) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Criterion (1928 - short version) - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP 2) Criterion (1927 - Roadshow) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Lobster Films (1928 - short version) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD 4) Lobster Films (1927 - Roadshow) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1)
Criterion (1928 - short version) - Region 0 - NTSC -
TOP
2)
Criterion (1927 - Roadshow) - Region 0 - NTSC -
SECOND
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Lobster Films (1928 - short version) - Region
FREE -
Blu-ray - THIRD
4) Lobster Films
(1927 - Roadshow)
- Region FREE -
Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Criterion (1928 - short version) - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP 2) Criterion (1927 - Roadshow) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Lobster Films (1928 - short version) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - THIRD 4) Lobster Films (1927 - Roadshow) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Criterion (1928 - short version) - Region 0 - NTSC - TOP 2) Criterion (1927 - Roadshow) - Region 0 - NTSC - SECOND 3) Lobster Films (1927 - Roadshow) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM |
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1) Lobster Films (1928 - short version) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Lobster Films (1927 - Roadshow) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Lobster Films (1928 - short version) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Lobster Films (1927 - Roadshow) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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1) Lobster Films (1928 - short version) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - TOP 2) Lobster Films (1927 - Roadshow) - Region FREE - Blu-ray - BOTTOM
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More full resolution (1920 X 1080) Flicker Alley Blu-ray Captures for DVDBeaver Patreon Supporters HERE
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Bonus Captures: |
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Criterion Collection - Spine # 266 - Region 0 - NTSC | Lobster Films - Region FREE - Blu-ray | Flicker Alley - Region FREE - Blu-ray |