Customer Reviews

David and Bathsheba

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Though this film has only a few scraps to offer in the way of scriptural accuracy, it is a visual delight, and one of the very best examples of the lush Technicolor of the mid 20th century, with its deep cobalt blues and incredibly rich reds. The cinematography by Leon Shamroy, along with the massive sets and luxurious costumes (all three were Oscar nominated but lost out to "An American in Paris") make this a fabulous "sword and sandals" epic; it also boasts a dramatic score by Alfred Newman, and one of my favorite dance sequences on film, by the brilliant Jack Cole. One had to be very strong and athletic to do his choreography, and the dancer in this number is the great Gwen Verdon.

Gregory Peck is handsome beyond words as King David, and it's always a pleasure to listen to his resonant voice; his recitation of the 23rd psalm, and his prayer at the Ark of the Covenant, are memorable scenes. In this film David is a pale reflection of the Bible character, this story being more about a big Hollywood romance, and the trouble it gets him in along with his partner in sin Bathsheba, played by the stunning Susan Hayward, who maintains her tiny waistline even though she is supposed to be "with child".
Directed by Henry King, the script and score were also Oscar nominated but lost to "A Place in the Sun".
For a film that is faithful to scripture, see the excellent TV production starring Nathaniel Parker, but for simply lavish entertainment, vibrant color and a gorgeous cast, this film is a classic well worth viewing. Total running time is 1 hour and 55 minutes.

This is the story of the love between David (Gregory Peck), King of Israel, and Bathsheba (Susan Hayward). It is a love that is doomed from the start, because she is the wife of one of David's army captains, Uriah (Kieron Moore).

David, uncharacteristically, wants Bathsheba at any cost. His is a passion that will not be denied. When she capitulates, it is to have great ramifications for all the parties involved. When their transgression and the lengths to which David went to secure Bathsheba for himself become known, it is Bathseheba who may pay the ultimate price in order to expiate their sin.

Gregory Peck seems ill at ease in this role and a bit stiff, though he revives at the end in order to quell God's wrath. Susan Hayward is beautiful, but she and Peck seem to lack chemistry. Jayne Meadows plays David's first wife, and she is very effective in the role of the woman scorned. Raymond Massey is excellent in the role of the prophet, Nathan, who calls David to judgment for his sin. It is Kieron Moore, however, who plays the role of Uriah, David's faithful captain and Bathsheba's cuckolded first husband, who steals the show.

This 1951 film, which received three Academy Award nominations, is a biblical epic that, despite some of its shortcomings, still manages to entertain the viewer.

I recently caught this when it was on cable at 3am. Unable to sleep at that time, I put the tv on just as the opening credits came on. As soon as I saw Gregory Peck & Susan Hayward's names I knew I had to watch it. It was a good story with great acting & I was glued to the set. Sadly, if this story were made today it wouldn't be anywhere near as good & would be panned by critics. If only there were actors of the caliber of Gregory Peck & Susan Hayward today. This is a movie I would gladly watch again.

I never heard of this film until I saw it on amazon.com's "People Who Bought This Also Bought..." web feature. I am glad I saw it there, it is a very interesting 1950's film starring a very famous Hollywood star, Gregory Peck!

DAVID AND BATHSHEBA itself is a little low on action, but it redeems itself by being cram-packed with accurate Bible scenes, and intelligently re-arranged Bible scenes that do not offend the sensibilities of folks who know the actual Bible story well! It is probably more accurate than THE TEN COMMANDMENTS starring Charlton Heston, also from the 1950's, but Heston's film is more fun and more famous. Nevertheless, DAVID AND BATHSHEBA is very good, especially for being a nearly forgotten film that few people seem to know about.

Gregory Peck is awesome as the thoughtful King of Israel who strays from God as a mid-life crisis, but pays the price! Peck has the screen presence and intelligence to make an excellent King David during this era of David's life! Susan Hayward is okay as Bathsheba, (but she seems a little too All-American, strawberry blonde, instead of Jewish brunette).

The script follows the Bible pretty closely, concerning Bible scenes and characters. There is minor chronological re-arranging, and minor character development details not in the Bible, but throughout the film, the added details enhance the film without contradicting the Bible verses! A lot of the details are so close to accurate that I had to pick up my King James Bible to verify if they had gotten it right or not, and they usually had gotten it right! I even learned that the correct pronounciation is BATHsheba, according to this film and my King James Bible, though I always said bathSHEba! Watch and learn.

Absalom is probably too young at times, but scenes with Michal, David's first wife, are NOT in the Bible, but very accurate to Michal's complaining, negative attitude! The guy playing Uriah is great, and very well written. This movie actually helped me to envision Uriah in a different, more detailed way that I think makes perfectly logical sense.

The the biggest, worst thing that I saw where they got the Bible wrong is that the last 30 minutes of the film focuses on the people demanding that Bathsheba be stoned for her adultery, and how King David tries to resolve her fate. In the Bible, of course, Bathsheba is NEVER criticized publically or called to be punished by the people. Having said that, the last 30 minutes are also some of the nicest scenes in the film, showing King David reciting Psalm 23, and showing flashbacks of David's childhood, such as slaying Goliath!

There is also an interesting b/w feature of an oddity, a promotional piece showing Gregory Peck, Susan Hayward, and the director acting out how Gregory Peck supposedly got hired for this film. My DVD copy stops abrubtly after 3 minutes, mid-verse(!), but hopefully everybody elses will play correctly.

If you collect Bible movies, like I do, then this will make a nice addition to your Bible DVD library!

A great film of it's era; Gregory Peck is always wonderful to behold. However, be aware of the fictional parts of the story told here. Take it as entertainment and some insight into Jerusalem, culture and David's life in 1000 BC. But recognize the parts that are fiction and believe the story as told in the Bible.

As usual the delivery and condition of this DVD was excellant!!

I loved this movie. The acting was superb, how could it not be with such wonderful actors as Susan Hayward and Gegrory Peck!! Well worth purchasing!!

The story of David & Bath Sheba is such a good story to show us how, even though we love the Lord, we are still in these human bodies that can cause us to sin. Very excellent film. Thank you and God bless you for making it available.

A great movie for the family and/or christian gatherings....Saw the movie years ago, never grows old...I would rate this movie a 5 out 5 scale.....

In August 1951, Twentieth Century Fox released David and Bathsheba--a bold, colorful depiction of the fateful love affair between a chosen king and the woman who would bear his successor. Adultery, intrigue, murder and divine judgment play their roles in this biblically based saga.

Alfred Newman's musical score is that type of grand orchestration which touches the soul. Without music, there is no inspiration.

Phillip Dune's script gave the movie audiences a fine portrayal of a an aging king who allowed his obsession and passion for a beautiful woman, who was married to one of his bravest and truest warriors, to bring disgrace on his name and divine wrath on Israel. Like his later scripts (The Robe, The Agony and the Ecstasy...), Dune's focus was on the characters and what made them, what drove them, and what were their inner conflicts. Their moments of joy and moments of sadness, and eventually, their decisions and the effect of those decisions on themselves and those around them were explored in full circle.

Raymond Massey's Nathan is a wilderness prophet in the true tradition of Old Testament prophets. He gave the word of the Lord unequivocally without fear of the consequences.

Gregory Peck, with his impeccable voice, and Susan Hayward, with her graceful beauty, gave life to David and Bathsheba on the screen. From the first moment of their encounter in his chamber to the last scene in his chamber, the story unfolds from forbidden love to forgiveness. As the rains pour from the heavens to refresh the earth, they refresh David's soul and rekindle the spark of what made him-a man after God's own heart.

"In war time the best are always the first to die." David's words to Uriah were fortuitous.

David had Joab sacrifice Uriah in order to cover his own sins against his God and his fellow man. Uriah would have died for David without hesitation. However, to take Uriah's life in order to have his wife was a crime which David the shepherd boy would never had done. However, the king whom David had become had no hesitation in making it happen.

The theme in this film is that David the king rediscovers David the shepherd boy and his faith in God. The quality of this DVD is outstanding.

i truly enjoyed this movie.It was a nice change from seeeing historical/biblical movies with a heavy violent content usually with a long war scene. This version gave a very clear understanding of this story, not just viewing it as a love story.