David and Bathsheba (1951)

A sprawling. Action-packed epic that sweeps off the pages of the Bible and across the screen recreating one of the most torrid tales of passion ever told Gregory Peck delivers a commanding performance as David King of the Israelites who falls in love with Bathsheba (Susan Hayward) a beautiful woman- and wife of one of his captains. It's a story of sin and redemption a searing saga of love as burning as the sands of the harsh landscape on which it was consummated. A love that violated the laws of man- and God. David once the Chosen One now risks God's wrath his kingdom and the life of Bathsheba who may be stoned to death for his sin!Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: NR UPC: 024543231080 Manufacturer No: 2233108 Product Description

David and Bathsheba

Henry King and Cecil B DeMille's made Great classic bible movies.
My wife think's I love these movies more than her... September 6, 2008

real quality, intelligent script, well realized

This is like a good stage play. The screen writer has created a small masterpiece. Each line reveals some aspect of Israelite culture as well as developing the character and advancing the plot. Not a word is wasted; and the actors, especially Peck, express the script effectively by using restraint. What others have called "stiff" performances are really spare and subtle. It never devolves into the cheap splashy schmaltz of other epics of the era. In the death scene of her child, Hayward never over-emotes, but without even seeing her face, her muffled sobs by the cradle are more moving than over-acting would have been. The score is very good, as are the costumes and sets, but again, all are used with restraint, to serve the story, and not overshadow it. The film respects the script, which in turn respects its source. The understated dialogue and Peck's wonderful face express much; his human imperfection, and his complex attitude toward Hebrew beliefs and Laws, even Israel's relations with other nations, and with Nature itself. A central theme is the dissapointment and cynicism of adulthood and nostalgia for lost innocence. It resolves with a satisfying, if typical, redemptive ending; done with good taste. Watch for the great Gwen Verdon in the dance scene. June 20, 2008

To know God`s forgiveness

David and Bathsheba is a good movie for people to know God will forgive them of some of the worse sins and to know that all things work together for our good when we love God, like King David found out in the Bible ! May 30, 2008

Dataed but watchable

This is is a semi-"spectacular" Bible story in a dated Hollywood style. It starts out as a corny love story with stilted acting and very nice sets and costumes. It gets better toward the end where they lay out the difficult matter of justice and whether God will be forgiving of David's murder of Bathsheba's husband.

All in all it is still watchable today, though I think the first half takes special patience. The second half does pick up some but nevertheless may only be of interest if you like to or are willing to ponder matters of sin and forgiveness and are willing to consider that there might actually be some historical meat here in terms of actuality or at least in terms of traditional beliefs. Otherwise consider that this film is pretty dated and the sets and costumes are its most notable features.

The special feature Once in 3000 Years cut off during Peck's meeting with the script writer each time I tried in vain to get it to work and this was annoying. I don't know if this is in the disc or a matter of incompatibility with my player. April 1, 2008

david and bathsheba

It was a good movie except for the music sound was a litle blurred which I guess is to be expected of old films. December 28, 2007

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