Movie Review: "David and Bathsheba"

Rated: Not Rated (US) / PG (Canada)
Starring: Gregory Peck and Susan Hayward
Released: August 10, 1951

Synopsis: The classic Bible story comes to life in this epic film adaptation! As God's anointed King of Israel, David (screen legend Gregory Peck) has everything a guy could ask for...but, when he sees the lovely Bathsheba (Susan Hayward) bathing on the roof, he knows he must have her.  There's one big problem, though: She is married...to one of David's best soldiers! When David and Bathsheba have an affair, the king tries to cover up his mistake...but, it isn't long until it catches up with him! What will become of David, once known as "a man after God's own heart"?

The Good: They don't make Bible movies like this much anymore.  Despite its age, this movie feels appropriately epic most of the time, and features wonderful performances by everyone, especially the two leads.  Flashback scenes featuring Samuel anointing David and the infamous battle with Goliath were a nice touch.  Even if you consider yourself a more modern film fan, you should give this a try!

The Bad: As good as this is, I did have one slight complaint: The actor who played Goliath was a bit over-the-top, in an almost cartoonish way.  Also, some Bible readers may take issue with the liberties the film takes with the original text...but, doesn't every flick based on the Word do that to a degree?

Content Concerns: Like many movies, this film features sex and violence...but, those are a big part of the original Biblical account.  The adult themes are handled with old-school decorum, but, this movie isn't kid stuff.

Conclusion: David and Bathsheba is by far the oldest movie I've reviewed on this site; still, just like the Bible itself, it stands the test of time.  Even if you were bored to death by Charlton Heston's Moses, you might enjoy this one, though it helps to be familiar with the original story.  Maybe I'm just a sucker for entertainment, but, I liked it nonetheless.

Score: 4/5