David and Bathsheba

MOVIE DESCRIPTION:

David and Bathsheba is a respectable, slightly stodgy cinematic adaptation of the Old Testament story. King David (Gregory Peck), much beloved by his subjects and a war hero of long standing, falls victim to the sins of the flesh when he falls in love with Bathsheba (Susan Hayward), the wife of Uriah (Kieron Moore), one of David's most trusted soldiers. His downfall begins when David orders Uriah into a suicidal battle, knowing that this will clear the way for his relationship with Bathsheba. His infatuation leads him to neglect his kingdom and his people, and invokes the wrath of God. Only after his land has been devastated by God's hand does David offer atonement. The film's lavish production values compensate ever so slightly for the long-winded script. David and Bathsheba was the last major "flat-screen" Biblical epic; it was filmed in 1951 B.C. -- Before Cinemascope. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

DVD FEATURES:

• Region: 1
• Number of Discs: 1
• Subtitle: Eng/Spa
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 (Pre-1954 Standard)
• Audio: Dolby Digital Stereo
• Features:
  • cc
  • "Once in 3000 Years" featurette with Gregory Peck & Susan Hayward
  • Theatrical trailers & more!

AWARDS

• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

•     Nominated Best Color Art Direction - 1951 (Thomas K. Little, George W. Davis, Paul S. Fox, Lyle Wheeler)
•     Nominated Best Color Cinematography - 1951 (Leon Shamroy)
•     Nominated Best Color Costume Design - 1951 (Edward Stevenson, Charles LeMaire)
•     Nominated Best Drama or Comedy Score - 1951 (Alfred Newman)
•     Nominated Best Story and Screenplay - 1951 (Philip Dunne)

• Directors Guild of America

•     Nominated Best Director - 1951 (Henry King)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• Cast:

  
       Gregory Peck - King David
       Susan Hayward - Bathsheba
       Raymond Massey - Nathan
       Kieron Moore - Uriah
       James Robertson Justice - Abishai
       Jayne Meadows - Michal
       John Sutton - Ira
       Dennis Hoey - Joab
       Walter Talun - Goliath
       Paula Morgan - Adulteress
       Francis X. Bushman - King Saul
       Teddy Infur - Jonathan
       Leo B. Pessin - David as boy
       Gwen Verdon - Specialty Dancer
       Gilbert Barnett - Absolom
       John Burton - Priest
       Lumsden Hare - Old Shepherd
       George Zucco - Egyptian Ambassador
       Paul Newlan - Samuel
       Bob Stephenson - Executioner
       Harry Carter - Executioner
       Johnny Duncan - Jesse's 3rd Son
       James Craven - Court Announcer
       Holmes Herbert - Jesse

• Director:

  Henry King

• Producer:

  Darryl F. Zanuck

• Screenwriter:

  Philip Dunne

• Cinematographer:

  Leon Shamroy

• Composer (Music Score):

  Alfred Newman

• Editor:

  Barbara McLean

• Production Designer:

  Paul S. Fox, Thomas K. Little

• Art Director:

  George W. Davis, Lyle Wheeler

• Set Designer:

  Paul S. Fox, Thomas K. Little

• Costume Designer:

  Charles LeMaire, Edward Stevenson

• Makeup:

  Ben Nye, Sr.

• Special Effects:

  Fred Sersen

• Choreography:

  Jack Cole

REVIEW:

• Fans of Biblical epics will find a lot to like in David and Bathsheba; although there's little here that will appeal to those who don't look favorably upon the genre. The script is predictably overblown, filled with the kind of bombast and stilted melodrama that is to be expected. It's ridiculous, yet in its own strange way, it works. It is also, typically, both too reverent and too "Hollywood"-ized; also like most Biblical epics of the period, it takes advantage of its religious underpinnings to indulge in some lurid sensuality. The direction is big and broad, filling the screen appropriately yet ultimately rather sterile. But there's plenty of spectacle to fill the eyes, with gorgeous costumes, delicious Leon Shamroy cinematography, and fabulous sets -- and these things count for a great deal. David also has a stellar cast; if Gregory Peck is a trifle stiff, he still supplies the requisite power and charisma, and Susan Hayward is a delight as the luscious adulteress. (Stage fans will want to keep a sharp eye out for future musical theater star Gwen Verdon, who has a few moments in the spotlight as a specialty dancer.) Throw in a grand Alfred Newman score and some nifty battle scenes, and the result is a good, if occasionally dawdling, Hollywood excursion into the Good Book. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi