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The Prodigal is a american film of genre Drama directed by Richard Thorpe released in USA on 6 may 1955 with Lana Turner
The Prodigal (1955)
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Add to a movie listReleased in USA 6 may 1955
Length 1h52
Directed by Richard Thorpe
OriginUSA
Themes Films set in Africa, Films about religion, Films based on the Bible, Portrayals of Jesus in film
Rating52%
The Prodigal is a 1955 Biblical epic film made by MGM starring Lana Turner. It was directed by Richard Thorpe and produced by Charles Schnee.
The Maurice Zimm screenplay was adapted by Joseph Breen, Jr. and Samuel James Larsen from the New Testament story of the selfish son who leaves his family in search of riches. The music score was by Bronislau Kaper, with cinematography by Joseph Ruttenberg.
The film also features Edmund Purdom, Louis Calhern, James Mitchell, Joseph Wiseman, Cecil Kellaway and Walter Hampden. The dancer Taina Elg made her film debut.
The Prodigal was satirized in Mad #26 (November 1955) as "The Prodigious".
Synopsis
The story is loosely based on Jesus Christ's parable of the prodigal son, from the Biblical New Testament Gospels, although considerable liberties are taken with the source material, chief among them being the addition of a female lead in the form of the high priestess of Astarte, Samarra (Turner). Micah (Purdom), a young Hebrew farm boy, sees Samarra and says he will have her. He demands that his father give him his inheritance and journeys to the city of Damascus. There Samarra seduces him into losing his inheritance and betraying his religious faith. Enduring a number of difficulties, Micah finally realizes where he belongs and returns home to his father, who forgives Michael all of his sins and orders a lavish celebration of his return.Actors
Lana Turner
(Samarra)
Edmund Purdom
(Micah)
Louis Calhern
(Nahreeb)
Joseph Wiseman
(Carmish)
James Mitchell
(Asham)
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