THE STORY OF RUTH

US, 1960, 132 Minutes, Colour.
Elana Eden, Peggy Wood, Viveca Lindfors, Stuart Whitman, Tom Tryon.
Directed by Henry Koster.

The Story of Ruth was produced at a time when Hollywood was trying to make biblical epics (amongst other spectacular films, which would entice audiences away from home and their television sets. This is a lavish production, a look back into an Old Testament book about the grandmother of King David. It offers the opportunity for rather spectacular presentation of pagan life in Moab, bordering on Israel. It then focuses on the devotion of the widow Ruth, especially for her mother-in-law Naomi, in going back to Israel with her. She then makes such an impression that she is wooed by the wealthy Boaz, marries him and thus becomes integral to God's plan with David becoming king and his being the ancestor of Jesus.

The book of Ruth in the Bible is very short, only four chapters, and so there is much embroidering with imaginative subplots, both in Moab with Ruth's relationship to her husband and mother-in-law as well as her being the foreigner in Israel and the subject of jealousy and whispering campaigns.

The film was not top-drawer with Elana Eden as Ruth, and her not having a strong career in Hollywood. Direction, however, is by Henry Koster who was responsible for the first Cinemascope biblical epic, The Robe.

1. How enjoyable a biblical epic was this? What interests audiences in biblical stories?

2. How successful a biblical epic? The dignity of its style, wisdom in its presentation of its story and theme? Was it truly a religious film?

3. How successful was the plot? The comparison with the original biblical text? The amount of material added to the story?

4. What was the basic message of this biblical film? The relationship between Ruth and Naomi, Ruth and Boaz, Israel and pagan neighbours?

5. How interesting was the film in its detail of pagan life in Moab? The nature of the worship of Chemosh? The barbarity of human sacrifice? The selling of children to the gods? The role of the Priestess?

6. How well could the audience understand Ruth in this pagan background? Her regret at not being sacrificed, her understanding of the barbarity of human sacrifice, the drama of her screaming at the ceremony, her punishment and rescue? Was this good melodrama, good adventure?

7. How convincing was Ruth as a person? With Naomi, with Mahlon, in being loyal to her family? To the new religion?

8. The melodrama of Mahlon's death? The nature of Ruth's Choice? Was this made clear? What motivated her in staying with Naomi?

9. How did life in Israel contrast with Moab? The people, their malice, the protection of the Mosaic Law, the different qualities of religion.

10. How conventional was the romance between Ruth and Boaz? Was it immersed well in the biblical tone of the film? The clash with Tob?

11. The reason for the jealousy of Ruth, the whispering campaign, the trial and her suffering? The nature of her vindication? Ruth as heroine?

12. What is the value of presenting such biblical films?