The Great Commandment

The Great Commandment

Year: 1939

Runtime: 78 mins

Language: English

Drama

Portrays the conversion to Christianity of a young Zealot, Joel, and the Roman soldier Longinus through the teachings of Jesus in his Parable of the Good Samaritan.

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Timeline & Setting – The Great Commandment (1939)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Great Commandment (1939). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

30 A.D.

Set in 30 A.D. during Roman rule, the village witnesses tax collection, military presence, and heightened religious fervor. Zealot movements push for direct action against Rome, while priests and elders seek steadier, scriptural leadership. The period's volatility frames the characters' moral choices.

Location

Judea, a fictional village near Jerusalem

The story unfolds in a fictional village near Jerusalem within the Roman province of Judea. The landscape features marketplaces, priestly houses, and a tense border with Roman forces, reflecting daily life under occupation. The setting emphasizes the clash between local religious authority and imperial power.

🗺️ Historical setting 🏛️ Village life

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:35

Main Characters – The Great Commandment (1939)

Meet the key characters of The Great Commandment (1939), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Joel (John Beal)

Elder son of Lamech and secret zealot leader who believes more must be done for his people. He loves Tamar and struggles between familial duty, romantic feeling, and the urge to take decisive action. His discovery of Jesus’ message shifts him away from violence toward mercy.

🗡️ Zealot 💖 Lover 🧭 Leader

Lamech (Maurice Moscovitch)

Joel’s father, a respected village rabbi who wants his son to follow the family path as scribe and rabbi. He represents traditional authority and caution in a time of growing zeal. His conflict with Joel centers on faith, duty, and leadership.

👨‍🏫 Rabbi 🛡️ Authority

Tamar (Marjorie Cooley)

Daughter of Jemuel and the object of Joel’s affection. Her betrothal complicates family plans and political tensions. Tamar embodies personal stakes in the community’s upheaval and the consequences of zealot actions.

💞 Lover 👰 Betrothal 🧡 Family

Longinus (Albert Dekker)

Roman centurion who demands the tax and leads the soldiers against the village. He is stern and duty-bound, yet later reveals he witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion. His actions drive the village’s confrontation with Roman power and the villagers’ fate.

🗡️ Authority 💂 Commander

Zadok (Warren McCollum)

Joel’s younger, impetuous brother and fellow zealot who pushes for immediate violence. He leads the attempt to incite action against the Romans and faces the consequences of that choice.

⚔️ Zealot 🧩 Impulsive

Jesus Christ (voice) (Irving Pichel)

The prophetic figure whose teachings guide the villagers. Present through parables and voice rather than direct appearances, he anchors the film’s moral arc toward mercy and neighbor-love.

🙏 Teacher 💡 Parable

Andrew (Harold Minjir)

One of Jesus’ disciples who represents contrasting ideas about Jesus’ mission and the path he should take. He interacts with Judas and helps illuminate the disciples’ differing perspectives on Jesus' intended role.

👥 Disciple 🧭 Messenger

Judas Iscariot (Marc Loebell)

A disciple who, like the zealots, imagines Jesus as a political/military leader. His perspective contrasts with Jesus’ teachings and with the village’s expectations.

🕊️ Disciple 🗡️ Expectation

Nathan (Olaf Hytten)

Innkeeper who informs Zadok of Longinus’ vulnerability and prompts the critical turn toward the inn confrontation. A minor but pivotal catalyst in the plot.

🗺️ Informant 🪵 Catalyst

Jemuel (Lloyd Corrigan)

Carpet merchant and Tamar’s father who arranges her marriage to a chosen son. His presence signals the social and economic fabric the zealots want to redraw.

🛍️ Merchant 👨‍👧 Family

Jemuel’s Wife (Belle Mitchell)

Tamar’s mother, representative of household concerns and the traditional structure the Young zealots challenge. Her role underscores the personal stakes of political upheaval.

👩‍👧 Family 🏠 Household

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:35

Major Themes – The Great Commandment (1939)

Explore the central themes of The Great Commandment (1939), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕊️ Mercy vs Violence

Joel is drawn to forceful action by zealots, but Jesus’ teachings push him toward mercy. The Good Samaritan parable reframes what strength means in a time of conflict. The narrative suggests lasting change comes through compassionate action rather than the sword.

⚖️ Loyalty and Law

The plot pits family duty and religious law against political resistance. Joel’s love for Tamar and his loyalty to his father pull him in opposite directions. The story questions which higher law should govern a community under threat.

🌟 Messianic Expectation

The town wrestles with whom to follow: a political liberation or a spiritual teacher. Jesus appears indirectly, guiding characters through parables that redefine leadership. The arc culminates in choosing a path of faith over force.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:35

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