I have loved this movie for a long time, it was something that I saw when I was young and just loved. The story of Ruth and Naomi is one that my mother always said was a great example of what love really is. Ruth leaves behind all her life in Moab to follow Naomi to a country and a people that she knows perhaps little or nothing about.I have seen that some people review or make comments about it not being 'biblical' and I think that it doesn't detract from the point that the movie brings across. Sometimes people want to make the heroes and heroines of the Bible too holy, they were people, struggling with life as we do now. The faith of Ruth and the love that she and Naomi share is so apparent in this movie.This movie takes license with where Ruth comes from, having her sold in childhood to the local religion that sacrifices children every year to their god. There is nothing to state where Ruth came from in the Bible only that she was married to Mahlon and that he and his father and brother died.This movie is so beautiful and well filmed, Elena Eden, is so beautiful as Ruth and Peggy Wood as Naomi. The movie, I have always found after it's first 45 minutes, seems to revolve around these two women. Naomi's protective love of Ruth and vice versa, their loyalty to each other and how the bitterness of Naomi's loss is healed by the things that happen to the both of them.The story is slightly changed, but the story has the point of who Ruth is, a woman who was born worshiping a foreign god and who came to understand and love Jehovah.It is a great movie and I have always thought that if nothing else is accurate about it, the fact that placing your faith in God will always be rewarded.Also, when Naomi prays for Ruth, it is probably one of the most beautiful and selfless prayers ever. It is the kind of prayer that a Mother prays for her daughter, it always give me chills to hear it. My dearly departed mother, prayed for me like that once and I am still reaping the blessings to this day.

I have always liked biblical epics and thought that I'd seen them all, but while watching a feature on them I saw listed "The Story of Ruth." I knew nothing of this story of the Old Testament, so I purchased the DVD. The film, made in 1960, shortly after the release of "Ben Hur" was not an epic in the sense of 'a cast of thousands' with big name stars, but rather a simply told story, both moving and charmingly portrayed by a cast who excelled in their respective roles and brilliantly directed by Henry Coaster, with a literate script by Norman Corwin. Stuart Whitman was never better than in his role as Boaz and newcomer Elana Eden was stunningly beautiful and very impressive as Ruth. In fact, it surprises me that her career waned after "Story of Ruth." The always great Peggy Wood was Oscar worthy as Naomi and the rest of the players were also well cast. Franz Waxman's score was moving and added a reverence to the entire film. It seemed pretty accurate for the most part. I wondered if there was any truth to the fact that Ruth was sold to the Moabites by her father, as my sources (Biblical dictionaries) are pretty concise. To summarize, I must say that I really enjoyed this film!

This 20th Century Fox Biblical epic inspired by the scriptural tale deals with the beautiful Ruth (Elana Eden , this character was intended for Susan Strasberg , who was tested for the part, but the studio decided to go for an unknown), she is a Moabitess priestess under orders of hight religious hierarchy (Viveca Lindfors) , as their cruel religion makes sacrifices children to God Moloch in a pagan civilization . Later on , Ruth is drawn both to a Judean man and to his talk of a forgiving God . As she is enamored by a young Jewish (Tom Tryon) and decides to renounce his former gods . Then tragedy strikes, she begins a new life in Bethlehem . As arriving in Israel along with her mother-in-law (Peggy Wood), where she discovers true faith and works as an ear-woman . Although she is excluded by the Jewish community ; however , getting various suitors such as Boaz (Stuart Whitman) and Tob (Jeff Morrow).This Biblical retelling film results to be an enjoyable story with all the spectacle of heathen idolatry , human sacrifice , pagan revels , romance , drama , a love story and fascinating scenarios . It's a known epic story of Ruth whose descendant will be King David , dealing with all the beauty of one of the Bible's timeless love stories . Elana Eden as Ruth is marvelous, however she barely acted after this realization , the veteran Peggy Wood is magnificent and Stuart Whitman as the tough Boaz makes an agreeable interpretation . Colorful and spectacular cinematography in CinemaScope by Arthur Arling , being stunningly reflected on the sensational outdoors . The luxurious costumes by the usual designer Nino Novarese . Sensitive and evocative musical score by the classic Franz Waxman . The film well well directed with big budget by Henry Koster . The picture will appeal to religious genre fans and Biblical history buffs . Rating : Good and nice , it's worthwhile seeing. I would recommend to see it wholeheartedly.

(*May contain spoilers*) This fine 20th Century Fox production directed by Henry Koster (The ROBE, 1953) is a timeless classic of hope, faith and inspiration based on the book of Ruth in the Bible. The characters are well defined, the cast is superb, and the writing of the script is both literate and meaningful, handling this subject with a deft sensitivity. Add to that the elaborate production values of the Fox studio, color, and wide-screen CinemaScope, an uplifting, rousing music score, and you have a well-mounted film of style and substance. Pretty young Elana Eden shines in her only starring role as Ruth, the Moabite girl who loves a Jew named Mahlon (handsome, stalwart Tom Tryon), marrying him moments before his untimely death, and befriends his elder kinswoman Naomi (Peggy Wood in a finely crafted performance) who embraces her as Ruth becomes part of the family. Now Ruth must choose between the beguiling but mischievous Tobit (Jeff Morrow sparkles in a fine character role), or handsome young stud Boaz (burly Stuart Whitman in an outstanding part) as they both vie for her affections. The film's story is a true celebration of life overcoming the adversities of death and sorrow, and faith overcoming the difficulties of calamities and complications due to ethnic barriers (the Jews were not normally allowed to associate with the Moabites). It also illustrates the conflicts caused by pagan idolatry. The marriage of Ruth to Boaz is a triumph of faith and love, for through this union would come the lineage of King David of Israel, and ultimately, the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, a thousand years later. Highly recommended Biblical classic is literate and faithful to the original story in the Bible.