Other mistake: The giant medallions that Pilate takes from a chest and then places on the pillar of the Temple do not bear close inspection as images of Tiberius, for some reason the name Augustus is lettered along with abbreviations not easily discerned as what was then used. The image behind Pilate when he is in court is similarly inauthentic but I would think that no-one but an exacting numismatist would even notice this if it is indeed such a major mistake.
King of Kings (1961)
1 other mistake - chronological order
Directed by: Nicholas Ray
Starring: Jeffrey Hunter, Hurd Hatfield, Ron Randell, Siobhan McKenna
Factual error: At the end of the film, Mary Magdalene approaches Jesus just as he has arisen from his tomb, at first shocked that he has arisen. As Jesus is talking to her and motioning with his hands, it is plainly clear that he has no nail marks/stigmata, when he should have. (See John 20: 24-29, where-in the resurrected Jesus shows "Doubting Thomas" the nail prints in his hands.)
More trivia for King of Kings
Question: How did anyone ascertain that Orson Welles read the spoken narrative in this film and that it was written by Ray Bradbury? Similarly, how did they come to know that Agnes Moorhead coached Jeffrey Hunter with dialogue? None of these persons feature in the credits though things like the choreography for Salome's dance are printed.
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Answer: In the introduction he wrote for Ray Harryhausen's book, 'Film Fantasy Scrapbook', Bradbury mentions writing Orson Welles' narration for 'King of Kings'. A number of online sources cite Agnes Moorehead as coaching Hunter on the post-filming dialogue. She had years of experience performing in radio drama and had a Master's degree in Public Speaking. She likely coached other actors. Not every person involved in a film's production is credited and a voice coach is not a particularly significant role, even for a notable actress. Bradbury was not the screenwriter and only wrote the narration. Scripts often have multiple writers (i.e. script doctors) who are uncredited. Welles demanded more money to allow his name be listed in the cast credits, so the studio left him uncredited. Even uncredited, his voice is quite recognizable.
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