Solomon and Sheba

1959

Solomon and Sheba

Critics Consensus

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Solomon and Sheba Photos

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Movie Info

Romance, treachery, intrigue and spiritual awakenings abound in the Biblical film adaptation of Solomon and Sheba. Trouble begins between two brothers when poet Solomon (Yul Brynner) is chosen to be next in line to the throne by King David of Israel. His warrior brother Adonijah (George Sanders) is livid when Solomon becomes king. While Israel prospers under Solomon, Sheba (Gina Lollobrigida) conspires with the Egyptians to topple Israel. She is ambitious and seductive and finally gets Solomon to fall in love with her. When a pagan dance ritual turns into an orgy, the people turn against Solomon when the Temple of Jehovah is struck by lightning. After the righteous Solomon has fallen from the grace of God, Sheba renounces her pagan Gods and converts to Judaism. A cast of thousands depict the raging battle between the Israelites and the Egyptians. Directed by King Vidor at the cost of five million dollars, production was delayed when the original choice for the role of Solomon (Tyrone Power) died during the making of the film. Many scenes had to be redone with his replacement, Yul Brynner.

Rating:

PG
Genre:

Classics, Drama, Romance
Directed By:

King Vidor
Written By:

Anthony Veiller, Paul Dudley, George Bruce
On Disc/Streaming:

Mar 25, 2008
Runtime:

139 minutes
Studio:

United Artists

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Cast

Yul Brynner
as Solomon

Gina Lollobrigida
as Magda

George Sanders
as Adonijah

Marisa Pavan
as Abishag

David Farrar
as Pharaoh

John Crawford
as Joab

Laurence Naismith
as Herzrai

José Nieto
as Ahab

Alejandro Rey
as Sittar

Harry Andrews
as Baltor

Julio Peña
as Zadok

Maruchi Fresno
as Bathsheba

William Devlin
as Nathan

Félix de Pomés
as Egyptian General

Jean Anderson
as Takyan

Jack Gwillim
as Josiah

Finlay Currie
as King David

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Critic Reviews for Solomon and Sheba

All Critics (6) | DVD (1)

The movie not only lacks attractive qualities but it is beneath other pseudo-biblical pastiches. [Full Review in Spanish]

Jul 17, 2019 | Full Review…

Antonio Lara
El Pais (Spain)
It is highbrow nowadays to enjoy this sort of low- browedness, and not admit to too many yawns; all the same, after the first hour or so, I couldn't stop thinking of all the useful and pleasant things I might be doing if I was only outside the cinema.

Jul 12, 2018 | Full Review…

Isabel Quigly
The Spectator
If Ben-Hur was The Avengers of its decade, then Solomon and Sheba was the Fantastic Four of its time, an expensive undertaking that earned sizable bank without being especially good.

Apr 8, 2015 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

Matt Brunson
Creative Loafing
Dull biblical epic.

Sep 17, 2008 | Rating: C | Full Review…

Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Tyrone Power morreu durante as filmagens deste trabalho que também marcou a despedida do veterano cineasta King Vidor. Ambos mereciam uma despedida mais nobre do que uma produção formulaica e medíocre como esta.

Aug 18, 2003 | Rating: 2/5

Pablo Villaça
Cinema em Cena