Solomon and Sheba
Solomon and Sheba

Movie spotlight

Solomon and Sheba

1959
Movie
139 min
English

Near death, King David has a vision that his poet son, Solomon, should succeed him, rather than hot-headed Adonijah. Furious, Adonijah departs the court, swearing he will become king. Other rulers are concerned that Solomon's benevolent rule and interest in monotheism will threaten their tyrannical, polytheistic kingdoms. The Queen of Sheba makes an agreement with the Egyptian pharaoh to corrupt Solomon for their mutual benefit.

Insights

IMDb6.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes45%
Google Users70%
Director: King VidorGenres: Drama, Adventure, History, Romance

Plot Summary

The biblical King Solomon of Israel faces a crisis when the Queen of Sheba arrives, bringing with her seduction and political intrigue. Sheba seeks to secure her kingdom and personal ambitions, while Solomon grapples with his faith, his desires, and the fate of his people. Their encounter ignites a passion that threatens to consume Solomon's reign and lead to war.

Critical Reception

While a visually impressive epic for its time, 'Solomon and Sheba' received mixed reviews, often criticized for its historical inaccuracies and dramatic pacing. However, the performances of Yul Brynner and Gina Lollobrigida, along with the film's grand spectacle, garnered some attention.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its lavish production design and impressive scale.

  • Criticized for a ponderous plot and inconsistent dramatic tension.

  • The chemistry between Brynner and Lollobrigida is a highlight for some viewers.

Google audience: Google users found the film to be an ambitious historical drama with strong performances, though some felt it lacked the depth and pacing of other epics. The visual grandeur was often noted positively.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Costume Design.

Fun Fact

The film's original King Solomon, Tyrone Power, died of a heart attack during filming, and Yul Brynner was brought in to replace him. This necessitated reshooting many scenes.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
Wuchak

Wuchak

_**Hollywood’s account of wise King Solomon’s reign in Israel, including his folly**_ In the 10th Century BC, elderly King David’s reign is ending and there’s a dispute between siblings Adonijah (George Sanders) and Solomon (Yul Brynner)...

John Chard

John Chard

It is said that Solomon is wise. But no matter how wise he may be, he is still human, with a human weakness. Solomon and Sheba is directed by King Vidor and collectively written by Anthony Veiller, Paul Dudley, George Bruce and Crane Wil...