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Samson and Delilah (1949)

6.7
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Ratings: 6.7/10 from 2,850 users  
Reviews: 51 user | 12 critic

When strongman Samson rejects the love of the beautiful Philistine woman Delilah, she seeks vengeance that brings horrible consequences they both regret.

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(screenplay), (screenplay), 3 more credits »
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Title: Samson and Delilah (1949)

Samson and Delilah (1949) on IMDb 6.7/10

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Won 2 Oscars. Another 4 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
...
...
...
...
Prince Ahtur
Olive Deering ...
Miriam
Fay Holden ...
Hazelelponit
Julia Faye ...
Haisham
...
Saul (as Russell Tamblyn)
William Farnum ...
Tubal
Lane Chandler ...
Teresh
Moroni Olsen ...
Targil
Francis McDonald ...
Story Teller (as Francis J. McDonald)
William 'Wee Willie' Davis ...
Garmiskar (as William Davis)
John Miljan ...
Lesh Lakish
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Storyline

Though his people, the Israelites, are enslaved by the Philistines, Samson, strongest man of the tribe of Dan, falls in love with the Philistine Semadar, whom he wins by virtue of a contest of strength. But Semadar betrays him, and Samson engages in a fight with her real love, Ahtur, and his soldiers. Semadar is killed, and her sister Delilah, who had loved Samson in silence, now vows vengeance against him. She plans to seduce Samson into revealing the secret of his strength and then to betray him to the Philistine leader, the Saran. Written by Jim Beaver <jumblejim@prodigy.net>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

philistine | fight | soldier | sister | wedding | See more »

Taglines:

HISTORY'S MOST BEAUTIFUL AND TREACHEROUS WOMAN! (original print ad - all caps)


Certificate:

Approved | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

January 1950 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Cecil B. DeMille's Samson and Delilah  »

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Western Electric Recording)

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1
See  »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

A false story has circulated that George Reeves auditioned for the role of Samson in Samson and Delilah but lost the role to Victor Mature. Reeves was never under consideration for the role of Samson. However, he was given a role as the wounded messenger at the recommendation of Mature, who was very loyal to his friends from his student days at the Pasadena Community Playhouse. Many of the smaller roles in Samson and Delilah, were also played by Mature's friends from Pasadena. See more »

Goofs

After Samson puts Delilah down on the stairs in the prison house and walks away from her, she is seen getting up twice. See more »

Quotes

Delilah: No man leaves Delilah.
See more »

Crazy Credits

As Samson and Delilah starts, the title is written on scroll, that is opened, to be read. The remaining opening credits, after the scroll and title, are normal. Closing credits are normal, also. See more »

Connections

Referenced in Sunset Blvd. (1950) See more »

Soundtracks

"THE FAT PHILISTINE MERCHANT"
Written by Victor Young and Jesse Lasky Jr.
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
This Movie Is About Star POWER!
17 November 2005 | by (Lone Pine, CA) – See all my reviews

I've seen this movie many times. It is not extraordinary in any technical manner; the magic it weaves, is about the the stars, Hedy Lamarr and Victor Mature. Hedy Lamarr absolutely was a fantastic choice for this role. Imagine Betty Hutton playing Delilah; yes folks, it almost happened, and I am sure the movie would turned out to be absolutely ridiculous. Paramount did not spend big bucks for this movie, this is quite obvious; but with Lamarr as Delilah and Mature's Samson, this became a major example star-power. George Sanders won the acting laurels here. He was the quintessential powerful man; who understood that he could never completely dominate Delilah. Angela Lansbury was O.K., in a minor role. Edith Head effectively designed the costumes for Hedy; sexy, but not overwhelming (think Irene Shariff's over the top designs for Liz Taylor in Cleopatra). Hedy was sultry, sexy in a subtle and an utterly believable way; Mature was strong, the epitome of masculine strength, and totally confident that he could control and have his way with any woman. If Paramount and DeMille had agreed to add at least $1-2,000,000 to the budget; I think the film would have even been a bigger blockbuster than it was. Folks, this films was among the top five moneymakers, after its first release. Only Gone With The Wind, The Best Years of Our Lives, Duel In The Sun, and maybe Snow White. As of 1/51, S&D was in the top money-makers of all time. Pretty good for a half-bakrd effort and investment from Paramount and DeMille. Lamarr+Mature = 9/10, in my book.


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