Samson and Delilah
From SPARK
One-sentence summary
A dramatic representation of the story of Samson but with too much non-Scriptural material added (180 min.).
Description
From DVD Cover
“A Betrayal that Brings Down an Empire – And Etches Two Names in History."
While the children of Israel suffer under the Philistines, an angel appears to an aging woman. “You will conceive a son,” he tells her. “And he will grow stronger than a hundred men. He is the Lord’s gift, chosen to begin the liberation of your people from the Philistines." That son was the Biblical hero Samson.
Nicolas Roeg (The Man Who Fell to Earth) directs a distinguished cast including Dennis Hopper, Diana Rigg, Michael Gambon, Eric Thal, and Elizabeth Hurley in a gripping story of faith and deception. Samson terrorizes his peoples’ oppressors until Delilah, a treacherous Philistine beauty, enthralls him. She cuts off his hair, the secret to his strength. His enemies blind him, chain him, and put him on show. But slowly his hair grows back. With his phenomenal strength restored, Samson is ready to exact a fearsome vengeance.”
Summary by Reviewer
The story of Samson (Judges 13-16) has been filmed many times by Hollywood and others. The 1949 version directed by Cecil B. De Mille won two Oscars. This 1996 version is quite long (3 hours) with a great deal of additional events and dialog beyond the Biblical account. Philistine characters (King Re Hamun, General Tariq, the King’s son, Delilah, and more) are given much prominence. Basically there is too much added to the Biblical account to make this film worthwhile to reproduce for small language groups.
The website http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117547/ has several reviews that can also be viewed.
Considerations
Casting, acting, costuming, and settings are all quite good, giving a feel of the life and times of Israel and Gaza in the days of the Judges. Filming was done in Morocco which looks realistic. Israel’s oppression under the Philistines and their desire for a leader to help them was adequately shown. There is good narration by an older man’s voice with respectful wording about the one true God. The scenes of Samson with blinded eyes destroying the temple were very dramatic and well done.
Limitations
As might be expected, the producers of this film have subtracted and added episodes and details to the actual Biblical episodes. They have added various embellishments that are not in the Biblical story of Samson found in Judges 13-16. For example, no mention is made of the sacrifice that Samson’s parents made after the angel came the second time to tell them they would have a son. Samson is circumcised with a large ugly knife and doesn’t even cry. The movie had Samson kill the lion to protect Delilah whereas it happened when he was traveling to Timnah with his parents to arrange his wedding. The movie had Samson kill and take the clothing of 30 Philistine guests at the wedding after they answered the riddle, whereas he actually went to the town of Ashkelon and struck down 30 men and gave their garments to the guests. The movie has Samson burning the fields of crops with a torch while on horseback, whereas he caught 300 foxes and fastened torches to their tails to burn the fields.
Many scenes have been added to the movie that are not in Scripture especially as it relates to the Philistines: dialogue and interaction between the king (portrayed as a wise man) and his son (portrayed as immature) who is learning to be a warrior; the clever general/commander, who is advisor to the king and is personally training the son, has a personal relationship with Delilah. Delilah, who was portrayed as a member of the royal family, has a big part in the movie. There is a lot of brutal fighting and bloodshed in the film. Scenes of Samson with the prostitute would not be acceptable to reproduce.
Guidelines for Use
Where to Obtain
Link to Producer or Source Organization
Cost
$17.99 (can be purchased used from Amazon.com for $3.48)
Producer/Owners
Author/Artist/Producer
TNT (Turner Network Television) a LUBE Production in association with LUX VIDE BETAFILM and RAI UNO
Current copyright owner
1996 TNT Originals, Inc.
Other Information
Link to sample of the resource: http://www.christiancinema.com
Reviewed by
VMS Staff: Helen M.
Date
November 2007
