an earlier silent film about jesus christ entitled "the king of kings" directed by cecil b. demille and starring h.b. warner as jesus was released in 1927. that film, however, begins when christ is already an adult. director nicholas ray's 1961 version tells the story from the beginning and places jesus' life in the political context of roman conquest. as jesus becomes an active preacher and healer, his activities are contrasted with the political stance of barabbas and his insurgents who battle against the roman occupiers.