[4] It was intended that the film be released as two one-hour episodes for TV in the US and as a feature in other countries.

[8] The film drew record high ratings and prompted ABC to commission a series Great Bible Stories.

Unexpectedly, the narrative has more than a touch of the traditional Western, with the uncomplicatedly honest outlaw gathering his forces together against unikely odds In order to rout the badman's reign of violence.

And, as in a minor Ford Western, with its gallery of comfortingly familiar faces, Bob McNaught devotes much of his film to bold strokes sketching in the uncomplicated warmth and humanity of the goodies ... to set against the sneering treachery of the baddies.

A little more action, and more boldness in the use of exteriors might have sparked soff an attractive trend in Biblical Westerns.