Jeffrey Hunter stars in this literally and figuratively faithful 1961 dramatization of portions of the New Testament story of the birth, life and death of Jesus Christ. The narrative, in this epic movie, actually begins a few generations before the birth of Jesus, and goes on long enough to enact how John the Baptist lost his head after meeting the ruthless temptress Salome. Robert Ryan plays John the Baptist, Brigid Balzen portrays Salome, and other players in this biblical drama include a few surprises: Hurd Hatfield of The Picture of Dorian Gray, as Pontius Pilate, and Rip Torn, later of The Larry Sanders Show, as Judas.