sherryminou07 Yikes, this was a bad movie! The color cinematography was hideous, the dialog laughable, music was overbearing, sets were cheesy. Oh, and every "B" list actor was in it, except for Howard Keel who only made musicals at the time.I was certain that this was one of those movies shot in Italy cheaply, then re-dubbed in English. To my shock, it was not only made here in the U.S., but by the Walt Disney Company....with a larger budget than the far superior "Nun's Story." Did Disney really make this to actually compete with "Ben Hur?" Unbelievable.The fact that it made it to the nomination stage is actually because no other good movies were set to compete against "Ben Hur" and "Nun's Story." They knew they would lose hands down.When did Walt Disney pass away? Anyway, we usually have Turkey for Christmas day. Turner Classic Movies served this up to our family on Christmas Eve. We had a good laugh.

tavm Just watched this long epic movie on YouTube. It stars Howard Keel in the title role as Simon who becomes Peter when converted to Jesus' teachings. Jesus is heard and not seen though we do see his hands whenever possible. There's also Susan Kohner as Princess Fara, John Saxon as her lover Prince Voldi, Herbert Lom as the ruler Herod Antipas, and Martha Hyer as his bitchy lover/eventual wife Herodias. Oh, and in once again citing a player from my favorite movie-It's a Wonderful Life-in another film, Beulah Bondi as Hannah, Simon's mother-in-law. They're all pretty good especially Keel with his familiar baritone voice and Lom with his theatrical readings. And the music score by Albert Hay Malotte was really stirring which complements Frank Borzage's direction to a T. Since the running time is listed as 180 min. on this site, it's possible that the version I saw on YT might have been abridged since that one ran 2 hrs., 20 min. No matter since I was moved just the same. Really, all I'll say is if you stumble into this either there or elsewhere, I highly recommend The Big Fisherman.

dom8256 This was by far one of the most powerful and entertaining movies I have ever seen. I saw it on the Disney Channel many years ago and I was lucky enough to tape it on my VCR because it has never been released on DVD or VHS tape. It's like it was forgotten. It is not a musical but a very well acted drama about the life of the Apostle Peter. Fara a princess who is the daughter of Herod Antipas and an Arabian princess who he discarded to marry Herodias learns what her father did just minutes before her mom dies. She vows to go back and kill her father to avenge her mother. She ends up in the house of Simon Peter just before he is called and converted by Christ. Peter protects and cares for Fara. When she is about to kill Antipas he intervenes and stops her. At the end of the movie she gives up the great love of her love "VOLDI" who is named prince of Arabia because she is not a true Arabian. I wish this movie had been released on DVD or Tape because I would recommended to anyone. It's truly a beautiful and Spiritual story.

camibear7 I like the film the technicolor is bold, the scenery is so great. And the acting superb. I have it on tape and I watch it maybe twice a year. I saw it in the theater when it first came out. It made John Saxon one of my favorites. His smoldering good looks and the romance of his love for Fara make the story even more exciting. I liked the story line no one today wants to make an epic movie about the effects of Jesus on their lives. At the time this movie was made people enjoyed those types of movies and were not afraid to make them. I would recommend this movie to anyone. It has wonderful cast, and the story is quite believable. I have never gotten tired of watching it.