One Night With the King
by Michael O. Sajbel
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: John Noble, John Rhys-Davies, Luke Goss, Omar Sharif, Tiffany DupontDirector: Michael O. Sajbel
Brand: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 124 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-01-30
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Movie Reviews of One Night With the King
Movie Review: Modern story dressed up in ancient clothes
Summary: 1 Stars
I saw the trailers for this and was impressed. A new movie about Esther? Well, surely that ought to be interesting.
People familiar with the book, Esther, of the Bible will know the basic plot of this book. King Xerxes of Persia looks for a new queen. Esther is one of the many chosen to present herself in One Night with the King. Will he accept her as queen? And what can a Jewish woman do in this position?
Although there was much I despised, I did enjoy the performances of the eunuch and John Rhys Davies. I could associate with both characters and felt each did a good job with his material.
As for the rest of the film, there is so much to dislike, I had to put it in list form:
1. Tiffany Dupont. Honestly, her interpretation of Esther was poor. She acts far too modern, far too childish for her own good, far too "goody-too-shoes". Women of this time don't campaign to leave by themselves for another country. I doubt Esther would be able to read; most women of this day weren't taught how to read (most men couldn't read).
2. The entire story of Esther is skewed. Suddenly, the story of Esther has a war, a campaign against Greeks and democracy, many new characters (Jesse and Admantha), scenes were Esther reads to Xerxes before her Night. I can understand that some liberties will be taken, but the war is completely unnecessary and silly. I have no idea why the Greeks and democracy angle must be thrown in.
3. The mysterious pendant. Really, what is the point of this? Talk about taking credit away from God and placing it in an inanimate object.
4. Melodramatic music. Need I say anymore? It ranges from goofy little melodies to over-pompous "Battle themes".
5. Modern views of marriage and love. Love and marriage as we know it didn't exist back then. People back in that day regularly married for money or because of arrangements and very rarely for love. Why must movies, specifically this one, cheapen the story by inserting reciprocated love and traditional marriage? Also, it isn't made clear in the movie, but each woman had "One Night with the King" so the King may have his way with her, not for her to show off some talent of hers. Then, the women would be placed in the harem, never to see the King again unless he called for her.
6. Costumes. They look really cool, but are they really Persian? Half the time, I feel they appear more Indian than Middle Eastern.
7. The actor chosen to be Xerxes is really bland and boring as mud.
All in all, the people who would like this movie most would be the ones who will see how far the story veers from the one in the Bible and be turned off. Other people, who don't know the Biblical story of Esther, won't be interested in the poor casting, acting, costumes, script, and music. Honestly, I would not recommend this movie to anyone. The best quote in the movie, and the best quote to describe this movie, is one spoken by Haman: "Never have I heard a more pathetic story in my entire life!"
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Summary of One Night With the King
One Night with the King is a sweeping epic about Hadassah, the young Jewish girl who becomes the Biblical Esther, Queen of Persia.Despite her position, Hadassah's life is in danger, as the state has decreed that all Jews will be put to death. Defying warnings to remain silent, however, Hadassah struggles to save her people, evens as she seeks to win the heart of the king, in this exciting and inspiring story about destiny.
The moving biblical tale of Esther--a humble Jewish girl who saved her people from annihilation and won the heart of the handsome Persian king Xerxes--is the subject of One Night with the King, a lush ode to one of the Old Testament's most inspiring women. Esther, played with spark and confidence by Tiffany Dupont, could perhaps be said to be the first career woman to "have it all"--while also serving her people, and God. The film, shot on location in India, has the feel of the great epics of the '60s--a sensation underscored by the appearance, in small but pivotal roles, of both Omar Sharif and Peter O'Toole. (Even Raiders of the Lost Ark's John Rhys-Davies--"Bad dates!"--echoes earlier desert adventures.) But the film belongs to the willful Esther, who navigates among war, bloodlust, persecution, and terror with the strength of knowing she's serving the Lord, and her people. If the film has a few anachronisms--including the young Esther's suitor, who has blonde streaks and a surfer-dude delivery ("The market was rilly busy today")--its heart and its focus never waver. Fans of biblical tales and well-made drama for the entire family shouldn't miss it. --A.T. Hurley
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