The Biblical story of Ruth is a story of redemption, and in that sense, this variation satisfies. Ruth the Moabitess priestess, played well by Elana Eden (an Israeli actress who had just served in the IDF), suffers the loss of her husband Mahlon (Tom Tryon) and follows his mother Naomi to Bethlehem where they struggle to make ends meet. Two of Naomi's kinsmen, Tob (Jeff Morrow) and Boaz (Stuart Whitman) compete for their attention and Ruth's love. The acting is good, with a good supporting cast--Viveca Lindfors, Peggy Wood, Thayer David, Les Tremayne, John Banner. The costumes and setting are lavish. The character development of Ruth is excellent and one of the strong points of the movie, but the character of Boaz is one of the few elements out of joint. Though Stuart Whitman is as romantic a hero as any as Boaz, his actions are not well motivated or convincing, particularly when compared to the Biblical story. Otherwise, though, a good production.
Review of The Story of Ruth
