The Bible: In the Beginning (1966)

Directed: John Huston
Cinematography: Giuseppe Rotunno
Art Direction: Mario Chiari
Associate art director: Stephen B. Grimes
Set construction: Aldo Puccini
Scene painter: Italo Tomassi
Special optical effects: Film Effects of Hollywood (Linwood Dunn
Glass paintng, illustration: Silio Romagnoli
Special effects: Augie Lohman
Special effects and ark miniature: Carlo Rambaldi, Carlo De Marchis

 

The tower of babel was shot on two sets in two different countries. The base was built on the studio’s back lot (in Italy), whilst the summit was built on the top of a steep slope outside Cairo. However, to give the impression of a tall tower they used a glass shot executed by Italian illustrator Silio Romagnoli.

Babel set bible2

I assumed that was also a glass shot by Romagnoli.

bible1

 

The Noah Ark was built full size in Rome  ( 60 meters) by the team of  Italian constructor Aldo Puccini.

Ark1unfinished ark

bible3-4

I always thought that was a partially built set enhanced by  a matte  or glass painting, but I guess it is just the real set.

bible5

Carlo Rambaldi was in charge of some special effects like the construction of three miniatures of the Ark . As the rainbow is not reflected on the water, I guess it was also  painted on glass.

 BibleArk1 BibleArk2

A Carlo Rambaldi design for the mechanism on the ark miniature during the flood.

biblia rambaldi