Disc One
David And Goliath
Twenty years after Citizen Kane, Orson Welles donned a robe and sandals to portray King Saul in this Biblical spectacle. His hefty, brooding monarch is the perfect contrast to the robust young David (Ivo Payer), the shepherd boy who will one day be king.
Martin Luther
Nominated for two Academy Awards including Best Cinematography, this revered documentary tells the story of Martin Luther, the founder of the Protestant movement. The 16th century comes alive in scenes filmed on location in West Germany, with an intelligent script and a fine supporting cast including Bible scholars and clerics.
Esther And The King
Recently widowed Persian King Ahasuerus wants to marry the beautiful Esther. But Esther is a Jewess, and Haman, the kings evil minister, is spreading hatred against the Jews. Set in the 4th century B.C, this Biblical epic stars Richard Egan (Demetrius And The Gladiators, A Summer Place) as Ahasuerus and Esther is portrayed by a young Joan Collins.
Disc 2
The Power Of The Resurrection
Following Jesus' arrest on the evening before Good Friday, Peter denied knowing Him - three times. Yet Jesus called him his rock and vowed that he would one day build his church on him. Richard Kiley (The Blackboard Jungle, The Thorn Birds) stars up a heartfelt portrayal of Christ's last days and Peter's transformation from coward to man of faith.
I Beheld His Glory
George Macready (Julius Caesar, Paths Of Glory) stars as Cornellis, a roman centurion who becomes a believer when he hears Christ's seven last words, hosted by Father Patrick Peyton of the Rosary Crusade, who reminds us that the family who prays together stays together.
Hill Number One
The story of the Resurrection is told in a moving dramatization. The splendid cast includes Roddy McDowall, Joan Leslie, Leif Erickson - and James Dean, making his first ever film appearance as John The Baptist, Hosted by Father Patrick Peyton.
The Gospel According To Matthew
Christ and his followers are depicted as moderate radicals working against an unfair Roman authority. The eclectic and beautiful music is selected from a diverse selection of sources, from Bach to American spirituals.
Disc 3
The Great Commandment
Set in 30 AD, the story concerns the burgeoning Christian movement, and its effects on a young Judean scholar named Joel (John Beal). A hotheaded reactionary, Joel spearheads an uprising against the Romans, but his warlike impulses melt away under the influence of Jesus of Nazareth.
Saul And David
Although King Saul loves young David, especially after he kills Goliath, Saul's wife poisons their relationship. She tells Saul that all David wants is the throne. But even when Saul tries to have him killed, David remains true to his king.
Joseph And His Brethren
After his jealous brothers sell him into slavery in Egypt, young Joseph rises to power, becoming a prophet, an advisor to Pharaoh, and eventually manager of Egypt's vast grain reserves. A famine brings his brothers to Egypt, where they beg for grain. Joseph uses this as an opportunity to reunite his family.