The film, an adaptation of George Steven's the Life of Jesus, represented the apex of the postwar biblical epic era, with all the budgetary excess, spectacle, and technological innovation that implies. It was shot in 70mm Cinerama, which required a specially-designed theater with a massive curved screen and three projectors to produce the full effect. The film premiered at a turgid 4 hours and 20 minutes, but was cut down in subsequent releases. The film focuses primarily on Jesus’ teachings, along with the biographical elements of his life and the political and religious context that led to his Crucifixion. Although the miracles of Jesus are discussed with concern by the High Priest Caiaphas (Martin Landau) and his officials, the only miracle actually portrayed in the film is the raising of Lazarus from the tomb (the moment portrayed on the poster). The production ran into massive cost overruns, and the film did not do well at the box office. The film received five Academy Award nominations for technical achievements like cinematography, but none for its performances, directing, or writing. After The Greatest Story Ever Told, the writing may have been on the wall – that movie audiences had reached their limit for overwrought biblical spectacles.