King David (1985)

Gere stars as the lowly shepherd boy whose bravery led him to the throne of Israel.
Genre: Feature Film-Drama
Rating: PG13
Release Date: 7-MAR-2006
Media Type: DVD Product Description

splendid

isn't richard gere a hunk in here, the story is nicely portreted, nice bible story if you read the bible.

the others are wonderfull too. June 15, 2008

Good but lacks the oomph & detail to make it great

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. June 7, 2008

"In Our Country Madmen Are Held To Be Sacred" ~ Madman, Poet And King

Synopsis: *See Hebrew Scriptures.

Critique: The '85 Biblical drama `King David' was a film with a lot of potential that unfortunately goes for the most part unrealized. Much like a tapestry, a film is comprised of many parts (cast, crew, production values, script, soundtrack, etc.) that must be meticulously woven into one flowing, indivisible garment if the director's vision is to be realized and the film successful with its target audience. So, where did this film fall short of my expectations?

Negatives:
1- While I'm usually a fan of Richard Gere I found his portrayal of David to be lackluster and totally unmotivated. I'm guessing he was attempting to appear righteous and contemplative but it comes across as bored and disinterested.
2- The editing is choppy and moves too abruptly. I found this lack of continuity to be disconcerting causing me to frequently lose focus and eventually interest in the ongoing storyline.
3- The intermittent narration used to fill in the missing pieces of the story and pertinent scripture verses gave the film a Sunday School feel that I didn't care for.
4- I think what bothered me the most was the total lack of passion in this production. There were no peak experiences, what I like to call "I'm Spartacus" moments that would set the film apart from others within the Biblical/religious genre.

Positives:
1- Excellent performance by Edward Woodward in the role of King Saul.
2- A surprisingly insightful ongoing monologue from David to God provides a unique look at the thought processes of this legendary Biblical figure.

Rating: If you like Biblically based films you'll probably enjoy this one well enough, but overall `King David' could have been much better; -3 1/2 Stars-. May 7, 2008

If I could give it negative stars I would

David was a man after God's own heart. He loved the Lord, fought valiantly to win back Israel's land, and wrote hundreds of Psalms. David's unshakable faith, trust, and love for God are what come to mind for anyone who has read the Bible and knows of King David. Yet David committed adultery then murder to cover it up. And God forgave Him and blessed David mightily. David's life teaches many lessons: trusting in the mercy of God being at the center of it.

This movie misses that point entirely. There is so little captured from David's heart, his love for God and God's infinite mercy toward David in this movie that I regret ever having watched it. :( There was so much "poetic license" used that what is an incredible story of faith, trust, hope, love, and mercy is lost.

I suggest the Gospel of John instead. April 1, 2008

Follows the Tanach, But Topically

This movie is nice, but not much more than that. As a religious Jews, I can say that while the story line is pretty on, you won't get a sense of the majesty, nobility, and intense spirituality that were hallmarks of the real King David, author of the Psalms.

Plus, if you care about the images flashing before your eyes, you will be accosted by two scenes of totally gratuitous nudity which I would say are not appropriate for children, and not likely pleasing to religious adults.

Richard Gere is an okay David. Again, I don't think he had a sense of how great his character was. The scene with Goliath is worth viewing.
March 3, 2008

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