The Big Fisherman
| The Big Fisherman | |
|---|---|
|
|
| Directed by | Frank Borzage |
| Produced by | Rowland V. Lee |
| Screenplay by |
Howard Estabrook and Rowland V. Lee |
| Based on | the novel by Lloyd C. Douglas |
| Starring |
Howard Keel Susan Kohner John Saxon Martha Hyer Herbert Lom |
| Music by | Albert Hay Malotte |
| Cinematography | Lee Garmes, A.S.C. |
| Edited by | Paul Weatherwax, A.C.E. |
|
Production
company |
Centurion Films, Inc.
Rowland V. Lee Production |
| Distributed by | Buena Vista Distribution |
|
Release date
|
August 4, 1959 (US) |
|
Running time
|
180 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $3,000,000 (US/Canada rentals) |
The Big Fisherman is a 1959 American film directed by Frank Borzage about the life of Simon Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus. Starring Howard Keel, Susan Kohner and John Saxon, the production is adapted from the 1948 novel by Lloyd C. Douglas, which is closely related to Douglas' previous book, 1942's The Robe which, six years earlier, in 1953, had also been adapted for the screen under the same title, The Robe. The film was shot at Universal-International studios but released by Buena Vista, the film releasing company of Walt Disney Productions.
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 also presents another story of redemption and forgiveness, as he takes in a young Arab/Jewish girl, Fara. As they both learn of Jesus, it changes their lives.
The young Fara discovers that she is the daughter of Herod Antipas who married and shortly discarded her Arab mother Arnon in favor of Herodias. Her half Arab ancestry makes her marriage to the future King Deran impossible. Disguised as a boy Fara goes to Galilee to assassinate Herod in revenge, though Herod has survived eight previous assassination attempts from the Arabs who are described as people with a short temper and a long memory. She is followed by Voldi, an Arab prince who wishes to marry her and take her back home, however Voldi is captured by the Romans.
Robbed by bandits, Fara is discovered by John the Baptist who advises her to listen to the great teacher, Jesus. She comes under the protection of Peter but vows to kill Herod. She manages to be employed in Herod's household as she can translate Greek, in particular a series of prophecies written in the language that have been given to Herod.
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Wikipedia