King David
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Movie Reviews of King David
Movie Review: Good but lacks the oomph & detail to make it great
Summary: 4 Stars
David is hands-down my favorite Biblical character (aside from JC himself, of Course). I never tire of reading and studying the events of his life -- the trials & perseverances, the agonies & ecstasies, the successes and failures (man, that sounds hokey, huh?).
Well, 1985's "King David," starring Richard Gere in the titular role, essentially covers IT ALL. That's right, you'll see all the following events covered in the picture:
-- Samuel's choosing of David as successor to King Saul
-- Israel's battles with the Philistines
-- The challenge of the hulk Goliath and David's victory with a sling shot
-- David playing his harp to soothe Saul's torment
-- Saul's increasing jealousy and hatred of David
-- David & Jonathan's brotherly love
-- David's wandering in the wilderness with his men, fleeing Saul
-- David's stealing Saul's spear while he sleeps in a cave, sparing him
-- Saul's suicide
-- David dancing in his skivvies when the Ark is brought into Jerusalem
-- Michal's love and, later, hatred of David (as he dances before the LORD)
-- David secretly ogling hottie Bathsheba bathing from his palace roof and the ensuing adultery
-- David's murder of Uriah (Bathsheba's husband) and Nathan's rebuke
-- Amnon's rape of his half-sister Tamar
-- Absalom's justified slaying of half-brother Amnon
-- Absalom's stealing of the Israelite's hearts
-- Absalom's death and David's grieving
WHAT WORKS:
-- The film is very worthwhile if you desire to see these numerous events depicted before your very eyes.
-- The cast, sets, costumes, locations and filmmaking are all of the highest order for 1985.
-- Edward Woodward is excellent as the jealous and bitter King Saul, even though he lacks Saul's heighth (as he was a whole head taller than any other Israelite).
-- Most aspects of the David/Goliath challenge are great; for instance, the troops shown on two separate hills.
-- Alice Krige is truly beautiful as Bathsheba. Along the same lines, the woman who plays Michal is very good and possesses a very unique beauty.
WHAT DOESN'T WORK:
-- Despite the numerous events covered in David's life, the film only runs 1 hour and 51 minutes before the closing credits. Let's face it, there's at least 3 hours of material here. Condensing it down to less than 2 hours prevents the viewer from being captivated by the myriad characters and events. The viewer is left struggling to connect with the people and their stories.
-- Despite the numerous events flying by, the film has a bit of a lazy vibe. There's very little spectacle like "The Ten Commandments" or "Ben-Hur."
-- David was a very passionate man -- a "man after God's own heart." Gere is fine for this role (the Bible explicitly states that David was a ruddy and handsome man) but he plays the character a bit overly righteous, pensive and noble, hence, David never fully comes alive to the viewer. Please notice I said "a bit" and "never FULLY comes alive." In other words, Gere is quite decent in the role. In fact, the failures may be the writers' fault.
-- When the boy David takes on Goliath there's zero passion and righteous ferocity as is in the Biblical account (e.g. "Who is this uncircumcized Philistine who would defy the armies of the living God?!!"). Plus the film doesn't show the serious trash-talking that went back and forth between the two. The fight's just too low key.
Although the gist of the story is accurate there are inaccuracies that some could nitpick, e.g. Goliath challenged David and the Israelites himself, he didn't speak through another man; David picked up stones before going out to fight the giant, not while fighting him; Absalom waited a long time before slaying Amnon, he didn't do it immediately; etc. Changes like these aren't that big of a deal and won't ruin your viewing experience unless you're completely [...] about it (sorry for my crudeness).
One reviewer criticized the film for showing Bathsheba at fault for seducing David. Actually, they both share fault equally. Everyone in Jerusalem knew the king stayed home while the troops were out fighting, so Bathsheba was likely fully aware that the king could catch a real nice tantalizing glimpse of her while she was bathing. Besides, even though David was the king, she could have said 'no' when the proposition of adultery later presented itself. In other words, she was both into it and into David.
FINAL ANALYSIS: I've seen "King David" 3 times now and enjoy it every time. It's a very worthwhile and well-done film account of David's life. Unfortunately the picture cuts off way more than it can chew in a mere 1 hour and 51 minutes, leaving the viewer detached from the characters and events, in particular those who know little about the biblical account.
Don't listen to those who absurdly rate the film less than 3/5 Stars. They're way off. Depending on your tastes, this is at least a 3/5 Star film. It's good (I give it a Grade of "B"), it just lacks the oomph and detail to make it great.
Movie Review: Often SLOW, Too Incomplete, but Has Some Good Parts From Scripture Dramatized
Summary: 4 Stars
Richard Gere is okay as King David, but the real show stealers are in the early part of the movie with Samuel and Saul! I wish they would have built the film around just that era of David's life, using these two actors playing Samuel and Saul much more. They have DYNAMITE chemistry together!
My favorite scenes after the Samuel/Saul scenes are David dancing in the procession to bring back the ark and getting criticized by his estranged wife (very Biblical and rare in a Bible movie); and also the David & Goliath scene is okay, though David uses THREE stones, not ONE as in the Bible, which is an important distinction in that God only needs David to take ONE shot to slay the giant.
This film is not completely family friendly for small kids. There is a beheading, and a short shot of female nudity with David in bed with his wife.
This movie is acceptably accurate towards scripture. Some films try to make up their own NON-Biblical scenes and subplots which eat up the bulk of the movie--what a waste when all they need to do is follow the scripture text! At least this movie doesn't have that problem. Though it can be slow and boring, it at least tries to stick to scenes from the actual Bible stories of David.
Movie Review: A King
Summary: 4 Stars
This movie stars Richard Gere as King David and goes over his life from the time he is found in the town of Bethlehem by Samuel the judge and prophet, to the reign of Saul and his life on the run from him and his eventual reign.
But David is not all perfect. He does make serious mistakes in his life and the largest one was having Uriah the Hittite killed to satisfy his lust for his wife Bathsheba. Of course God punishes David for this, but it turns out OK in the end because she eventually gives birth to Solomon a great king of Israel.
This movie goes beyond the often told story of David and Goliath. In fact this movie sort of glosses over this story and moves into his life running from Saul. The movie showed David in a different light and one I have seen him in for a long time. I had forgotten that he had more than 5 wives! I had forgotten that he danced in the streets when he was proclaimed king.
Richard Gere does a very good job with playing King David. I felt he really worked hard to make him come to life. I definitely applaude his effort. This movie is one to watch.
Movie Review: A Nice Biblical Drama
Summary: 4 Stars
This can by no means claim to be a perfect depiction of the biblical story of King David but it is by no means a lost cause either. It is a pretty fair little drama. Some license has been taken with the scriptural story but it is more faithful than most film adaptations. It is also a pretty good movie.
This film tells the story of King David, the successor to King Saul and the founder of the Davidic line. It begins by showing Saul's disobedience and goes from there to David's anointing as king. Even so, David will not lift his hand against Saul who is also an anointed king. The film demonstrates David's strengths as well as his weaknesses. He was a good man after God' own heart but he was by no means perfect. He pays for that imperfection.
This film is NOT the place to learn scripture but it does communicate the fundamentals of the story rather well and does so in a very viewable manner. It was enjoyable.
Movie Review: King David
Summary: 4 Stars
This video was rather good with acting and story line. I try to buy as many Biblical videos to get all the ideas and perspectives from each director, writer, etc. on what they wanted to promote when creating the drama of a certain Biblical persona. I believe some movies are better than others, and this video rates around the middle of all the "Davids" that I've seen. You'll enjoy the movie as a whole. It obviously is the newest one produced to date. Well worth the investment!