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Solomon and Sheba (1959)

6.1
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Ratings: 6.1/10 from 1,350 users  
Reviews: 28 user | 6 critic

Shortly before his death in ancient Israel King David has a vision from God telling him that his younger son Solomon should succeed him as king. His other son Adonijah is unhappy and vows ... See full summary »

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(story), (screenplay), 2 more credits »
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Title: Solomon and Sheba (1959)

Solomon and Sheba (1959) on IMDb 6.1/10

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
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Pharaoh
John Crawford ...
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Baltor
José Nieto ...
Ahab (as Jose Nieto)
Maruchi Fresno ...
William Devlin ...
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Josiah
Jean Anderson ...
Takyan
Laurence Naismith ...
Hezrai (as Lawrence Naismith)
Julio Peña ...
Zadok (as Julio Pena)
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Storyline

Shortly before his death in ancient Israel King David has a vision from God telling him that his younger son Solomon should succeed him as king. His other son Adonijah is unhappy and vows to attain the throne. Meanwhile the Egyptian Pharoah agrees to cede a Red Sea port to the Queen of Sheba is she can find a way to destroy Solomon, whose wisdom and benevolent rule is seen as a threat to more tyrannical monarchs in the region. Sheba, Pharoah, Adonijah, the leaders of the Twelve Tribes and his own God make life difficult for Solomon who is tempted by Sheba to stray. Written by Ron Kerrigan <mvg@whidbey.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

king | queen | death | tribe | israel | See more »

Taglines:

Behold! The love story of the ages! See more »

Genres:

Drama | History | Romance | War

Certificate:

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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

25 December 1959 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Salomon und die Königin von Saba  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)
 »

Company Credits

Production Co:

 »
Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (TCM print)

Sound Mix:

(35 mm prints)| (70 mm prints)

Color:

(Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.20 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Co-producer/star Tyrone Power had completed shooting more than half of the film when he collapsed during a duelling scene with George Sanders and died a few minutes later. Power was replaced in the role of Solomon by Yul Brynner, who refilmed all of Power's scenes. Power, however, is still visible in the film in long shots. See more »

Goofs

The film makes heavy use of the Star of David as Solomon's symbol. It is seen on the shields of Solomon's army, and on articles of clothing worn by Solomon and members of his court. However, the Star of David did not appear in Jewish literature until the 12th Century A.D., and did not become a Jewish symbol until the 17th century. See more »

Quotes

Pharaoh: And how will you destroy Solomon?
Sheba: It is said that Solomon is wise. But no matter how wise he may be, he is still human, with a human weakness.
Pharaoh: Surely the way of a woman is beyond understanding.
Sheba: The way of a woman is simple, my lord. It is always to follow the way of a man.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Strip Jack Naked: Nighthawks II (1991) See more »

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User Reviews

 
Kind Vidor's last movie is worth a look.
16 March 2004 | by See all my reviews

A heavy budget, a star that died with 75% of the movie completed. Recipe for disaster right, not in this case as Yul Brynner, the "great bald one" as he was known , except with hair here makes a convincing Solomon and Vidor scores in his direction. This movie sets itself up from the beginning as the story of two brothers and a case for redemption for that is what this movie is about. Solomon as everyone, Christian or not knows was wise as the common adage states. He inherited the Kingdom of Israel from his father as chosen by God to replace his older brother, the warrior played by the great supporting and sometimes leading man George Sanders in one his nefarious performances. Solomon prays for wisdom which God grants him and Israel prospers. Neighbors become jealous and scared as a redeemed Sanders courtesy of Brynner builds Israel's army to a sizable number. They also fear their teachings of equality to all men and their notion of One God. Sheba is sent or chooses to tempt Solomon with riveting consequences. The problem with these movies in our modern eyes is that the writers have them talk in the way texts and related scriblings depicted dialogue back then which is as poetry with innuendoes and rhyme. This today is often seen as camp, such the case of recent Swords and Sandals like Gladiator avoiding these dialogue. The movie also bears a certain resemblance to De Mille's classic Samson and Delilah which kickstarted the whole genre. That said, a "Shield of light" action sequence is worth a look to see how it was staged and shot. Gina Lollobrigida is absolutely stunningly photographed and the performance is quite good. All in the one, one of the master's last can be your first intro into his ouevre.


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