Frank Borzage’s last film is a sprawling religious epic (originally three hour long), based on Lloyd Douglas book about the life of St. Peter (Simon Peter), one of the disciples of Jesus.
| The Big Fisherman | |
|---|---|
|
|
The historical epic movie stars Howard Keel, John Saxon, Susan Kohner and Martha Hyer.
The movie is adapted from the 1948 novel by Lloyd C. Douglas, which is closely related to Douglas’ previous book, 1942’s “The Robe.”
That book had been adapted for the screen in 1953 under the same title, The Robe, and starred Richard Burton.
The Robe ends with “the Big Fisherman” as a nickname for Peter; Jesus called him “the fisher of men” and “the Rock”.
The story traces Peter’s journey from self-sufficient fisherman to his dependency on a risen Christ. It presents a tale of redemption and forgiveness, as he takes in a young Arab-Jewish girl, Fara.
The young Fara discovers that she is the daughter of Herod Antipas who married and shortly discarded her Arab mother in favor of Herodias. Disguised as a boy, Fara goes to Galilee to assassinate Herod in revenge.
Oscar Nominations: 3
Cinematography (color): Lee Garmes
Art Direction-Set Decoration (color): John DeCuir; Julia Heron
Costume Design (color): Renie
Oscar Awards: None
Credits:
Directed by Frank Borzage
Screenplay by Howard Estabrook and Rowland V. Lee, based on the novel by Lloyd C. Douglas
Produced by Rowland V. Lee
Cinematography Lee Garmes, A.S.C.
Edited by Paul Weatherwax, A.C.E.
Music by Albert Hay Malotte
Production companies: Centurion Films, Inc.; Rowland V. Lee Production
Distributed by Buena Vista Distribution
Release date: August 4, 1959 (US)
Running time: 180 minutes
Budget $4 million
Box office $3 million (US rentals)
