From Modern Screen, January 1961

Commentary by the Rev. James H. Kepler, Minister of the Church of Our Saviour, Congregational, , California

• Has an ordinary human being the right to portray Christ? In the past, movie makers have avoided showing the face of Christ on the screen. But, in King of Kings the producers are going to show His face and body. And Jeffrey Hunter is taking the greatest risk of his life. Many people may say, “How dare he, a divorced man, a man not only born with the taint of original sin but also a man who has led a man’s life – how dare he portray the Son of God?” I am sure that Jeffrey Hunter spent sleepless nights wrestling with his conscience before he decided to play Jesus of Nazareth. Though I was not with him, I know what he must have gone through because I once faced a similar soul-searching with another actor. I have had the privilege of being one of ’s spiritual advisers. Several years ago he said to me, “When I accepted the role of Moses in The Ten Commandments I did so only after a great deal of thought. I asked myself, ‘Dare I play this great spiritual leader? Will the Jewish people resent a Gentile playing this role?’” I told Mr. Heston that I believed the Jewish people would be grateful if he gave a fine portrayal of their great prophet. His own personal faith had nothing to do with his giving the world a dynamic portrait of Moses.

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If the opportunity to portray a great prophet could lead to such a difficult conflict for Charlton Heston, think how much greater Jeffrey’s problem was. For great as Moses was, he was not Jesus. The world has never known as perfect a manifestation of God’s love as Jesus was. Jeffrey Hunter must have said to himself: “Will the world, knowing that I am an ordinary man, sinning as all men sin, accept me in this role? Is it sacrilege for someone who has led the life of a mortal man to play the Son of God, who not only preached the perfection of love, but also lived it?”

AS A MINISTER who has had the privilege of serving some of Hollywood’s well-known actors, I think I can answer some of the questions that were in Jeff’s mind the night he wrestled with his soul. There may be some Christian churchmen who will avoid the picture because a man from Hollywood dared to play the role of the Lord Jesus. If that is the way they feel, they will be doing a most un-Christian thing. Christians have no right to judge one another. Jesus Christ Himself constantly warned us that we must not judge – that judgment was reserved only to God Himself. Judge not, that ye be not judged. Jesus was the exemplification of But Jesus Himself, when there was a For with what judgment ye judge, ye the perfection of God’s love. God great task to be done, never questioned shall be judged: and with what loves not as people do. God loves us the worthiness of the individual He measure ye mete, it shall be regardless of how much we have chose. Among His followers He chose measured to you again. And why sinned. Jesus, as the Son of god, Mary Magdalene, a former prostitute; beholdest thou the mote that is in thy loved not merely in relation to how Thomas, a doubter; Peter, the brother’s eye, but considerest not the others treated Him, but perfectly – as tempestuous; and Paul, who had been beam that is in thine own eye? God does. And because of that one of the most hard-hearted (Matthew 7 : 1-13) perfection of love, He was able to cry persecutors of Christians. To say If the right to play Jesus depended out, even as He was nailed to the nothing of Judas, a chosen apostle, who on the worthiness of the man chosen, cross, “Father, forgive them for they betrayed Christ. Was any of these no man could play it. Because of the know not what they do.” persons worthy of the role he was defects in our own personalities, Against this perfection of love – chosen to play? none of us is worthy. the highest the world has ever known on earth – what actor could possibly be considered worthy of the role of Jesus?

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Since Jesus Himself represented These Spanish peasants are truly Before the picture started, he said, “I the highest manifestation of love – devout. In order to be certain that can approach this undertaking with love that lasted beyond death – the they would not become confused by only two guideposts – absolute act of portraying Jesus dramatically the sudden appearance of Jeffrey in humility and a willingness to accept the and spiritually is an act of love. An the robes of Jesus, the assistant emotional and spiritual leadership of act of love does not depend on the director announced in Spanish over my director, , and the personality of the man who performs the loudspeakers: “An actor playing religious advisers of this film. It will it. If your child was drowning, Jesus will appear among you in the be impossible for me to discuss my wouldn’t it be all right with you if likeness of Christ. He will walk feelings and attitudes about portraying the man who jumped in to save your down the hills among you. Be eager Christ with authority, so during the five child was a hoodlum? Actually, to touch him, as the people of old months I will be dedicated to this role, I Jeffrey Hunter has been no more did. Remember, he is an actor even must keep my personal activities sinful than any of us. But if he had though he is costumed as Christ.” completely anonymous. I will be been the worst sinner of all, and When the time for the scene came, unable to grant interviews or sincerely put out a good presentation Jeff began to walk, as Christ did photographs off the set and I further of Christ, he would have performed centuries ago, among the people. intend to give up my public life for the an act that Jesus would have blessed. When the peasants looked into his duration of the production.” However, members of my church face, saw his luminous eyes, they Jeffrey was as good as his word. He who know Jeff Hunter have the most were so overcome they forgot the and Dusty and his stepson Steele favorable things to say about him director’s words and knelt before (Dusty’s son by a previous marriage) personally. I have been told that he Jeff, crossing themselves. took an apartment in Madrid. Steele is a family man, that he doesn’t The scene was ruined. But until went to a country day school, and Jeff carouse, that he is moderately this happened, Jeff Hunter – although and Dusty lived quietly at home. religious. He is humble, sincere and aware of the enormous responsibility When Jeffrey gave an interview to well-liked. He was chosen for the of his role, had no idea how great the Modern Screen’s Terry Davidson, it role because the producer felt that he impact might be. Tears came to his was with the understanding that she was the actor who could best portray eyes. More than ever before, he would not question him about his role. Jesus Christ. “But by accepting this realized that he owed a great They talked, but it was only about role,” a friend of his told me, “he put obligation to this greatest of all roles. general subjects. himself on trial.” Dusty, his wife, told Terry When Terry asked Jeffrey, “Do the Davidson of Modern Screen, who kids ask your son to bring them home ONE THING I KNOW. In visited the location in Madrid, “It to meet the man who played Christ?” undertaking the part, Jeff couldn’t takes Jeffrey at least three hours after Jeffrey avoided a direct answer. The play it without being deeply moved he comes home from the studio to get question wasn’t considered cricket. by it, without having the role affect back to everyday living.” Terry reported: “It is genuinely his personal life. In playing Jesus, he This does not surprise me, for startling to see Jeffrey in costume, had to take Jesus into his personality, when Charlton Heston played Moses, moving with a kind of masculine grace. become a part of the great web of he lived the part so completely that He is very believable. In the Sermon love that Christ represented. Lydia, his wife, once said to him, on the Mount scene, he walks through To do this took a powerful “Do you think you can come out of the multitude down a hill, addressing a emotional experience. the role of Moses long enough to eat word or two to several of the people. And that experience occurred, as dinner?” When he was through, he retreated to God would have it, early in the When Heston played Moses, he his dressing room and wouldn’t let picture. wouldn’t take phone calls, drink anyone see him.” Jeff and the company of King of coffee from paper cups, drink cokes Because Jeffrey would not talk about Kings were on location in Spain for or relax between takes while in his role, the English interviewers the scene depicting the Sermon on costume – for he did not want to crucified him. They mocked the idea the Mount. The director had chosen destroy the illusion of the extras who that a former Hollywood cowboy actor a mountainous area in a remote might have to bow to him in the role – a divorced man – dared play the role. region outside of Madrid. To play of Moses later on. Why, actually, was Jeffrey chosen the people of Jesus’ time, the AS JESUS CHRIST, Jeffrey for it? Though no man is without sin, if peasants of the region were hired. Hunter also made up his mind that worthiness were the test, some more These peasants have the wonderful while he wore the costume of Jesus, exemplary citizen might have been faces that express the simplicity and he would do nothing inconsistent chosen, according to these reporters. the piety of those who heard and with the role. believed Jesus’ message.

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As I have said, worthiness is not Another reason Mr. Ray chose Jeff HE ACCEPTED ONE – and on the the test. The test was the ability of Hunter was that he was impressed by set of the picture met Joan Bartlett, who an actor to look the role and portray his quality of never pushing himself, was acting as a double for the leading it spiritually. a sign of humility. In this respect, lady. He learned that Joan had been We come to the question: What Jeffrey reflects the spirit of love, married previously and had a son just should Jesus look like? which never vaunteth itself or the age of Jeff’s Chris. She wanted to Actually, we have no specific coerces others. know about him, too. Had he been physical description of Jesus in the What sort of life has Jeff Hunter able to maintain a good relationship Bible. Each of the great medieval lived, before he played his great role? with his boy? How had he adjusted? painters who painted Jesus gave us He is a man who has lived and They began to date – and fell in love. his own image of Christ. Because suffered and grown. A few short He began to call this beautiful dark- these painters were often emaciated years ago he was one of the loneliest haired girl with the ready smile by her men themselves, they believed that to of men. You may remember Jeff nickname, “Dusty.” be holy was to be thin, emaciated, Hunter as he was then – or you may When they finished the picture, he almost effeminate in appearance. have forgotten him entirely. After felt almost relieved. He’d been so all, who was he, really? Another of badly hurt, he didn’t want to take a BUT THE TRUTH IS that the good-looking youngsters chance on being hurt again. everything in the Bible points to the swarming over Hollywood. He had a Dusty left town – and he went back fact that Jesus was a strong, young, pretty actress wife, Barbara Rush, a to loneliness. robust man. He must have been young son, Christopher. He made a But he couldn’t forget her. One day tanned, with hair blowing in the few movies – played a few not very he received a letter from Dusty. She wind. He went through any number important roles. From time to time had been offered a job in Hollywood, of ordeals such as only a young, his face appeared in fan magazines, modeling for Don Loper. She would be strong man could have endured. usually at a house-party or among a coming to Hollywood again, and Jeff We know that he was a carpenter, group at a swimming pool was the only person she really knew. and carpenters in those days were as And then, all of a sudden, he felt as Did he have any advice to offer? sturdy as blacksmiths. They had no if he had nothing. His wife told him He not only had advice to offer – he pulleys, joists or beams, and had to she wanted a divorce. She went out had his love to offer her, too. And so hew out the lumber from the trees of his life and took his son with her. they were married. and carry it around themselves. No And at the same time, the phone Two weeks later they were in Europe carpenter in Jesus’ day could be stopped ringing, the scripts stopped so that Jeff could make a movie there. weak or puny. coming in, the studios seemed to lose Three months later they were on their Even after fasting forty days, Jesus interest in him. way home. But they were so exhausted could walk into the synagogue and Both halves of his life collapsed at they didn’t notice a sign over the confront a group of men who wanted once – his marriage and his career. bathroom sink on the ship steaming to throw Him off a cliff. He was He could have quit pictures and away from Italy. The sign said: stronger than most of them, not only found himself a job, teaching, acting. DON’T DRINK THIS WATER. spiritually but also physically. Only he didn’t. He told himself, “All Jeff and Dusty drank so much of it Jeff Hunter was chosen because of right. For the first time in your life, they both became ill. Dusty recovered his robustness, his masculine grace, you’re alone. Find out what it’s like. quickly from the symptoms; Jeff his peaceful visage – and his eyes. Do the things people do when there’s collapsed with a bad case of hepatitis. Nicholas Ray, the director, said, no one else around. Be alone. It Dusty had to become housekeeper, “It is possible to do almost anything won’t kill you.” nurse and mother to two boys, her own with makeup, but only Jeff Hunter It didn’t. He learned to be self- and Jeff’s who was with him while has those eyes.” sufficient. He took up skin diving. Barbara was away on a picture They are, I am told, eyes that have He stopped wanting to call someone location. Having just gotten off a sick a penetrating depth, eyes that have a up in the evening. He read a great bed herself, Dusty wasn’t strong mystical effect. No man can truly deal. He learned to enjoy savoring enough to prepare and serve half a comprehend the beauty and strength his day’s experiences to himself. dozen meals a day and hand-feed them of Jesus’ visage; it is beyond the There were advantages to loneliness, to an invalid husband. But she did it understanding of man – but only a he thought. At least, that’s what he just the same. man whose eyes are luminous and tried to believe. On the morning he woke up feeling filled with kindness could portray the Then, mysteriously, offers started good again, Jeff looked at his wife and Saviour. coming in again. said, “I’ve loved you for a long time. Now it’s more than that. I also owe you a great debt of gratitude.”

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Later, when Jeff was in Okinawa If Jeffrey Hunter can give a great making and Dusty portrayal of Christ, he is performing was alone in their home in Santa an act of love. Monica, she lost their expected baby And our Saviour Himself gave the in miscarriage. This time it was answer to the question being asked Jeffrey who, rushing home as soon as today: Is it right for a sinful man to shooting would permit, comforted perform an act of love in the name of Dusty. Jesus? So without judging, we see in John came to Him and said: Jeffrey a man who has been through “Master, we saw one casting out many emotional experiences, a man devils in Thy name; and we forbade who has tried to live according to the him, because he followeth not with laws of love. us.” But regardless of what his private And Jesus said unto him: “Forbid life has been like, there will still be him not; for he that is not against us those who say: “But isn’t it wrong is for us.” for an ordinary mortal sinner to play Jesus would have approved of Jesus, who was without sin? Isn’t anyone who brought men the letting such a man play the role an message of His love. And in attempt to achieve a religious effect bringing the world that message, through irreligious means?” Jeffrey Hunter is the ally of Jesus Christ, the perfect Exemplification of MY ANSWER IS THIS: If your love. house were burning down, would A great poet once said, “God you ask the firemen who came to put fulfills Himself in many ways.” out the flames, “What manner of men One of the ways in which God are you? Have you sinned?” may fulfill Himself is through the The idea is ridiculous. human instrumentality of a fine actor The world today is in the same in a great motion picture. To destroy condition as a burning house. Never the good that can be done by a have we needed to return to Jesus’ picture like King of Kings through principles as much as we do today. un-Christian censure and judgment Jesus came to show the world the of the man who plays the role of perfection of God’s love. Where Jesus would cause immeasurable love is great enough, all problems harm to the Christian religion itself. can be solved. If men, regardless of All men – Christians and non- creed and ecclesiastical routine, can Christians alike – have their own learn the great message of Jesus, image of Jesus. A good motion “Love they neighbor as thyself,” it picture will not destroy, but enhance would solve all the world’s that image. problems. And in a wanton world that plays Jesus made His sacrifice in the with atom bombs and hydrogen interest of peace; He chose to be a bombs, any man who can bring us Man of peace and not of violence. the great message of the Sermon on The pagans and Romans wanted to the Mount is helping show us the enslave the world. The King of Way, the Truth and the Life. Kings triumphed above hatred by rising to the heights of love. He was END crucified, but His message – that God Jeffrey stars in King of Kings, for is Love – lives on in the hearts of MGM, and Hell to Eternity, U.A. men. Only we need to be reminded of it hour after hour, day after day.