Esther and the King (1960)

Directors:

Raoul Walsh, Mario Bava

Writers:

Raoul Walsh (screenplay), Michael Elkins (screenplay),

Stars:

Joan Collins, Richard Egan, Denis O'Dea

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Joan Collins	...	Esther
Richard Egan	...	King Ahasuerus
Denis O'Dea	...	Mordecai
Sergio Fantoni	...	Haman
Rik Battaglia	...	Simon (as Rick Battaglia)
Renato Baldini	...	Klydrathes
Gabriele Tinti	...	Samual
Rosalba Neri	...	Keresh
Robert Buchanan	...	Hegai
Daniela Rocca	...	Queen Vashti
Folco Lulli	...	Tobiah

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

eunuch | sword fight | hero | jewish tradition | biblical epic | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

Italy USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 December 1960 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ester E o Rei

Filming Locations:

Titanus Appia Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Galatea Film, Titanus, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Queen Vashti: I am going to the feast. Prepare me.

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Connections

Version of Liken: Esther and the King (2006)

User Reviews

Peplum adaptation of Old Testament book

What do you get when you put middle-range American stars in the leading roles in a peplum film? Pretty good peplum, that's what. Contrary to what one might expect, "Esther and the King" is not a lavish Hollywood historical spectacle in the mode of DeMille, but is an Italian production using Joan Collins and Richard Egan to play the eponymous characters. For this reason the film is often characterized as a bargain-basement epic, whereas it is actually a peplum with a slightly higher than average budget. Appealing performances by the leads, a delightfully schlocky musical score, a good story, and atmospheric sets and cinematography makes this an enjoyable sword-&-sandal effort.