Day of Triumph

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Day of Triumph
Directed byIrving Pichel
John T. Coyle
Written byArthur T. Horman
Produced byJames K. Friedrich
StarringLee J. Cobb
Robert Wilson
James Griffith
Joanne Dru
CinematographyRay June
Edited byThomas Neff
Music byDaniele Amfitheatrof
Production
company
Century Films
Distributed byImperial Distributing Corp.
Release dates
  • December 17, 1954 (1954-12-17) (Tyler, Texas, premiere)[1]
Running time
110 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Day of Triumph is a 1954 American

drama film directed by Irving Pichel and John T. Coyle, from a screenplay by Arthur T. Horman. The film stars Lee J. Cobb, Robert Wilson, James Griffith, and Joanne Dru.[2]

This was the last film directed by Irving Pichel, who died on July 13, 1954, five months before the film was released.

Synopsis

The film is Pichel's take on the life of Christ and focuses on the controversy and politics surrounding his life, particularly the activities of Zadok (Lee J. Cobb), leader of an anti-pagan group called the Zealots. Zadok initially plans to use Jesus (Robert Wilson) to rally support for the cause of political freedom. As he follows him, Jesus cures Mary Magdalene's mother and raises Lazarus from the dead -- acts which wear away at Zadok's skepticism, but focus significant attention on Christ.

Cast list

(cast list as per AFI database)[3]

Production

The picture was the first sound and first color film done about the life of Jesus. The last film having been

Vazquez Rocks near Acton served as the tomb of Jesus; and the banks of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing, was shot at Far Lake, a tributary of Hansen Dam Lake.[8] Production on the film wrapped the first week in July. A week later, Pichel died of a heart attack in his home.[9] The film was financed by a group of Hollywood outsiders, based in Texas. The film's premiere was held on December 17, 1954 in Tyler, Texas, the home base of the film's backers.[1]

Reception

The Los Angeles Times also gave the film a good review, declaring it was a "forcefully told story...rich in inspirational and human values". They also complimented the screenplay in handling several delicate issues in such an adept fashion so as to not offend any particular religious group. They also praised June's cinematography and Amfitheatrof's score, as well as the directing of Pichel. Among the cast, they congratulated Dru, Cobb, McVey, Connors, Gilmore, Freud, Glass, Whitney, Ward, and Gerry.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b "'Day of Triumph' Premieres In Tyler, Texas, Home Burg of Its Backers". American Film Institute. December 8, 1954. p. 22. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
  2. ^ "Day of Triumph". Variety. December 1, 1954. p. 6. Retrieved April 23, 2023.Open access icon
  3. ^ "Day of Triumph". American Film Institute. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  4. Newspapers.com
    .
  5. ^
    Newspapers.com
    .
  6. ^ William R. Weaver (June 12, 1954). "Hollywood Scene". Motion Picture Herald. p. 32. Retrieved April 23, 2023.Open access icon
  7. Newspapers.com
    .
  8. Newspapers.com
    .
  9. ^ "Pichel, Screen Veteran, Dies Suddenly On Coast". Motion Picture Herald. July 17, 1954. p. 46. Retrieved April 23, 2023.Open access icon
  10. ^ "Day of Triumph". Variety. December 1, 1954. p. 6. Retrieved April 23, 2023.Open access icon
  11. Newspapers.com
    .

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Day_of_Triumph&oldid=1155738685"