Solomon

My English teacher in 10th grade knew how much I love movies and at the time I watched VHS tapes. She gave me 2 that her husband wanted to throw away since they were not going to watch them ever again. One was Disney's George of the Jungle and the other was this, since she also knows that I am religious and love such movies.

I put the tape in(well-the first of 2) and I was intrigued by the 8 minutes of previews. I usually skip those, but this advertised the other movies in the series and a preview for the Jesus one alone.

Then the movie began, and the start of it fit, since he was making out with a woman while Song of Songs is quoted. This fit since he wrote that song(or it was written for him for one of his weddings.)

Fun Fact some people don't know, like a woman at my church yesterday: see 1 Kings 11:3 and you will read that Solomon had 700 wives, and 300 concubines.

Anyways, I liked how it was starting but I did not understand the rest.

I made it into a half hour...twice. It was just lackluster(a word I hardly use, by the way) and it was not really that great. It may be better than what I am saying, but I just didn't see it.

It's just boring. That's all I have to say.

like each religious film, it has its force, seduction, clichés and solid pillars in great actors. different is the manner to present the lead character. Solomon by Ben Cross is the vulnerable leader. human at all, wise but not real profound, powerful but victim of pleasure, ambitious but a good Jew . the presence of Max von Sydow as the old David, Bathsheba in Anouk Aime 's performance, Vivica Fox in the key role of Queen of Sheba are the pieces who transforms the film in a splendid example of use of Bible 's lines. a film about life more than an eulogy to a great figure of Israel. that is the virtue of a film who propose a Biblical hero in convincing colors. so, a good film. not out of its genre. but interesting for the use of its rules.

When I first started watching it I gave a review that Ben Cross looked to old to be a child. As I got further into the movie and then God asked him what he wanted then Ben Cross said but lord I am only a child and then asked for wisdom so I have changed my views on this movie. I am enjoying it alot. I usually don't give movies a 9 but I will on this one because it seems to me they put alot into making this with the sets and costumes. I saw the 3 hour version and was amazed at the production.

I fist saw a rather abrupt cut of Roger Young's "Solomon" in a bible collection. Still it was so good I was determined to see the full version. Boy was i glad I did! Ben Cross does an absolutely amazing job as the title character, much like in "Jesus" and "Jacob" The film makers aren't afraid to present these legendary people as people! They have loves and fears and aren't so perfect and aloof. Cross is young and a bit arrogant at first, but very loyal to his father David, played beautifully by the great Max von Sydow, and his mother Bathsheba. The early part of the movie has him dealing with his scheming half-brother Adonijah and the general Joab, played by David Suchet. overcoming both he asks God for wisdom to rule his people wisely. Like any of us would be God is impressed and Solomon makes great judgments, never allowing his priests or prophets to rule him.

The legend of his wisdom grows till it reaches the beautiful Queen of Sheba, played with nice understatement by Viveca A. Fox. She journey to Isreal to see the truth of this legend. Here Solomon finds true love at last, but under pressure and unable to convince Sheba to stay in Israel he is left alone and despite still ruling wisely begins to anger the people by allowing freedom of worship. Hmmm. like the U.S.? Upon his death the kingdom is divided again and Israel will never again be a world power as it was under him.

I thought he acting, sets and photography were all first rate. I really like this move, yes it's long, but it's well worth your time, even if biblical epics aren't your usual speed. Well recommended.

The biblical films can be divided into two sorts of screen adaptations: accurate ones and sheer travesties. While the first group refer to movies that treat the biblical content seriously and result in accurate depictions, the latter ones refer to freely adapted Hollywood productions that are rather 'celebrities vehicles' than 'biblical stories.' And among such Old Testamental figures popular in cinema like Abraham, Jacob, Moses, there is also Solomon, the son of king David, a great ruler of Israel known for his wisdom, the king who built the Temple of the Lord in the city of Jerusalem. But is it the only thing to know about Solomon?

Of course, the significant factor for many people is the artistic side of the movie. Directed by Roger Young (known for having made quite a few biblical epics), the movie is made with a flair for history concerning sets, locations, wardrobe, music and the general mood of the distant past in which the action takes place. Pure imagination, at moments, that occurs convincing. Most of the scenes, including the funeral of David, the entrance of Queen Sheba, the wise judgment by Solomon or the daybreak of temple solemnity will stun you as a viewer and an epic buff. In spite of the fact that there aren't many extras in this movie, the producers make a perfect use of their budget limitations.

Besides, referring to the words of the Norwegian reviewer, I absolutely agree that the cast in the film are really unforgettable, including the famous celebrities as well as the unexperienced ones who are given the supporting roles. Ben Cross in the lead leaves a lasting impact on the viewer's imagination. He does a brilliant job portraying Solomon's weakness combined with wisdom, Solomon's deepening reason combined with growing tolerance. Vivica A. Fox calls our attention to the southern beauty that the famous Queen of Sheba must have been. She once again portrays a figure so popular in cinema and portrayed by Betty Blythe in 1921 and Gina Lollobrigida in 1959. There, however, the "Shebas" focused on the queen's "sex appeal" (using today's terms), Ms Fox, however, adds to it such virtues like affection and subtleness. Anouk Aimee is memorable as Bathsheba, now the elderly woman who is no longer absorbed by sensual love but what she concerns about is reign. Here, a note should be made of Max von Sydow as old king David in the first 50 minutes of the movie. But acting and visual merits are not all that make the film worth seeing.

SOLOMON is a new challenge for biblical movie buffs primarily because it is the first film that gives us a clear and a very accurate insight into Solomon, the king and Solomon, the man. Solomon, considered one of the wisest men of the Bible, is, at the same time, more revealed with his weaknesses and idolatry that appeared in the later years of his life and are indeed historical. The movie, in this case, seems to break a kind of cliché that arose at the Israeli king. Solomon, searching wisdom and asking for wisdom in the famous prayer to God, receives this and uses this for the goodness of his people. Yet, in the very depth of his heart, he lets himself be absorbed by personal choices over political ones; in other words, he begins to think of himself more as a man than as a king and that leads him to confusion and division of the kingdom. It is the Solomon who once built the Temple of the Lord and now finds everything vain. It is the Solomon whose heart was once devoted to one True God and now offers sacrifices to mute idols. It is not the Solomon absorbed by lust only, like it is in case of SOLOMON AND SHEBA, but the controversial personality that we find in the Bible. How universal it is!

Therefore, I would recommend everyone to see this film. Perhaps, it won't make you love biblical movies. Nevertheless, it will truly make you reflect that all the wisdoms of today's world are never able to achieve the spirit and psychology of a single biblical story.