Movie spotlight
Told with authenticity and perception, David looks back on the life of a school caretaker in a Welsh mining town, from the marriage and birth of his son to the trauma of a pit accident. David was the first film produced by the BFI, in 1951, and the Welsh selection for the same year’s Festival of Britain screenings in London.
This historical drama recounts the biblical story of David, from his humble beginnings as a shepherd boy to his rise as King of Israel. It details his famous confrontation with the giant Goliath, his close friendship with Jonathan, his complex relationship with King Saul, and his eventual ascension to the throne. The film explores themes of faith, courage, leadership, and divine providence.
As an early Italian biblical epic, 'David' was generally well-received for its faithful adaptation of the source material and its earnest portrayal of the biblical narrative. While it may lack the grand spectacle of later epics, it was appreciated for its sincerity and performances, particularly Gino Cervi's portrayal of the titular hero.
Appreciated for its direct and sincere retelling of the biblical story.
Gino Cervi delivers a solid performance as the shepherd-turned-king.
A respectable early attempt at a biblical epic, focusing on narrative over spectacle.
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The film was made during a period when Italian cinema was exploring historical and biblical themes, often as a way to provide audiences with morally uplifting stories.
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Told by way of a gentle reflective retrospective, we are introduced to the kindly school caretaker "Rhys" (Dafyyd Griffiths), a budding poet, who has an habit of helping out the children at his school when they get into mischief. It's the y...