Barabbas (1961): cast, story & where to watch
1961 · Film · ★ 6.9
Released in 1961, Barabbas is a drama, adventure and history film directed by Richard Fleischer, running about 137 minutes. “The man of violence in whose place Christ died” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Epic account of the thief Barabbas, who was pardoned for his crimes and spared crucifixion when Pilate offered the Israelites a choice to pardon Barabbas or Jesus. Struggling with his spirituality, Barabbas goes through many ordeals leading him to the gladiatorial arena, where he tries to win his freedom and confront his inner demons, ultimately becoming a follower of the man who was crucified in his place.
Who’s in it. Barabbas stars Anthony Quinn as Barabbas, Silvana Mangano as Rachel, Arthur Kennedy as Pontius Pilate and Katy Jurado as Sara, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.9/10, Barabbas has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Barabbas page.
If you liked it. Fans of Barabbas tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Barabbas (1961)?
- In US, Barabbas is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is Barabbas worth watching?
- Barabbas holds an audience score of 6.9 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama, adventure and history. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Barabbas?
- Barabbas stars Anthony Quinn, Silvana Mangano, Arthur Kennedy, Katy Jurado and Harry Andrews.
- When was Barabbas released?
- Barabbas was released in 1961, with a runtime of about 137 minutes.