The Silver Chalice is a 1954 American religious epic film directed by Victor Saville, adapted from Thomas B. Costain's 1952 novel of the same name. Saville's final directorial effort, it stars Paul Newman in his film debut, alongside Virgina Mayo, Pier Angeli, Jack Palance and Natalie Wood.
The film concerns Basil (Newman), a Greek artist from Antioch who is commissioned to make a silver cup with the faces of Jesus and his disciples sculpted on it, and ends up being sold into slavery. Meanwhile, a con man is attempting to convince the crowds that he is the new Messiah by using nothing but tricks.
Tropes for the film:
- All for Nothing: Basil makes the Silver Chalice for the Grail, but both items get stolen and lost.
- Ancient Rome: Where part of the film takes place.
- Believing Their Own Lies: Simon the Magician (Jack Palance) is a con man who gets rich by faking miracles. He convinces Caesar that he is able to fly, but eventually comes to believe in his own magic, jumps off a tower, and plummets to his death.
- False Prophet: Simon Magus is persuaded by the Zealots to convince the Jews that he is the Messiah to bolster Jewish Resistance against Rome and crush the Christians for converting (and diluting) potential Jewish manpower.
- Grandparent Favoritism: Deborra's connection with her grandfather Joseph of Arimethea is resented by the man who is his son and her father.
- Historical Domain Character:
- Nero, Emperor of Ancient Rome.
- Lost Will and Testament: Here, it is several human witnesses to Ignatius' adoption of Basil. Of the witnesses after Ignatius has died: One, Ignatius' brother Linus, denies there ever was an adoption. One has been bribed to deny it. One has died. One is geographically unavailable.
- Marriage Before Romance: Basil agrees to marry Deborra for Altar Diplomacy (protect her inheritance) even though he still loves Helena. Fortunately, he soon requits Deborra's feelings.
- Riches to Rags: Basil, the adopted son of the Greek Nobleman Ignatius, has his inheritance denied after the man's death, and put into slavery.
- The Faceless: Even though the story is set long after the Crucifixion and no flashbacks, still the film denies any facial features of Jesus to be shown. When Basil finally is able to make a bust of Jesus, our view is limited to its back.
- Time-Shifted Actor: Natalie Wood portrayed Helena as a teen, Virginia Mayo portrayed her as an adult.
