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IMDbPro

Esther and the King

  • 19601960
  • ApprovedApproved
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
775
YOUR RATING
Esther and the King (1960)
Two decades before she would gain fame and some fortune as Alexis Carrington on Dynasty (1981), Dame Joan Collins starred as Esther in this melodramatic, routine Biblical story. The setting is Persia in the fourth century B.C., as Esther comes to the attention of the recently widowed King Ahasuerus. The King has been trying to stifle and defeat the campaign of hatred fomented against the Jews by his evil minister Haman. Before the King can pair off with Esther and defeat the villainous Haman, there are several intervening adventures and an additional, attractive woman who competes for attention.
Play trailer1:56
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31 Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • History
Two decades before she would gain fame and some fortune as Alexis Carrington on Dynasty (1981), Dame Joan Collins starred as Esther in this melodramatic, routine Biblical story. The setting ... Read allTwo decades before she would gain fame and some fortune as Alexis Carrington on Dynasty (1981), Dame Joan Collins starred as Esther in this melodramatic, routine Biblical story. The setting is Persia in the fourth century B.C., as Esther comes to the attention of the recently wid... Read allTwo decades before she would gain fame and some fortune as Alexis Carrington on Dynasty (1981), Dame Joan Collins starred as Esther in this melodramatic, routine Biblical story. The setting is Persia in the fourth century B.C., as Esther comes to the attention of the recently widowed King Ahasuerus. The King has been trying to stifle and defeat the campaign of hatred ... Read all
IMDb RATING
5.4/10
775
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • Raoul Walsh
    • Mario Bava(Italian version)
  • Writers
    • Raoul Walsh(screenplay)
    • Michael Elkins(screenplay)
    • Ennio De Concini(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Joan Collins
    • Richard Egan
    • Denis O'Dea
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Raoul Walsh
    • Mario Bava(Italian version)
  • Writers
    • Raoul Walsh(screenplay)
    • Michael Elkins(screenplay)
    • Ennio De Concini(uncredited)
  • Stars
    • Joan Collins
    • Richard Egan
    • Denis O'Dea
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 21User reviews
    • 10Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:56
    Trailer

    Photos31

    Joan Collins in Esther and the King (1960)
    Esther and the King (1960)
    The Great Commandment (1939)
    Orson Welles and Joan Collins in Esther and the King (1960)
    Joan Collins and Richard Egan in Esther and the King (1960)
    Joan Collins in Esther and the King (1960)
    Esther and the King (1960)
    Esther and the King (1960)
    Esther and the King (1960)
    Esther and the King (1960)
    Joan Collins and Richard Egan in Esther and the King (1960)
    Walter Williams in Esther and the King (1960)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Joan Collins
    Joan Collins
    • Estheras Esther
    Richard Egan
    Richard Egan
    • King Ahasuerusas King Ahasuerus
    Denis O'Dea
    Denis O'Dea
    • Mordecaias Mordecai
    Sergio Fantoni
    Sergio Fantoni
    • Hamanas Haman
    Rik Battaglia
    Rik Battaglia
    • Simonas Simon
    • (as Rick Battaglia)
    Renato Baldini
    Renato Baldini
    • Klydrathesas Klydrathes
    Gabriele Tinti
    Gabriele Tinti
    • Samualas Samual
    Rosalba Neri
    Rosalba Neri
    • Kereshas Keresh
    Walter Williams
    • Hegaias Hegai
    • (as Robert Buchanan)
    Daniela Rocca
    Daniela Rocca
    • Queen Vashtias Queen Vashti
    Folco Lulli
    Folco Lulli
    • Tobiahas Tobiah
    Ennio Antonelli
    • Jewish Manas Jewish Man
    • (uncredited)
    Elio Bonadonna
    • Gladiatoras Gladiator
    • (uncredited)
    Omero Capanna
    Omero Capanna
    • Soldieras Soldier
    • (uncredited)
    Pietro Ceccarelli
    • Bald Gladiatoras Bald Gladiator
    • (uncredited)
    Aldo Cecconi
    Aldo Cecconi
    • Jewish Fighteras Jewish Fighter
    • (uncredited)
    Calogero Chiarenza
    • Villageras Villager
    • (uncredited)
    Vincenzo De Palo
    • Villageras Villager
    • (uncredited)
    • …
    • Directors
      • Raoul Walsh
      • Mario Bava(Italian version)
    • Writers
      • Raoul Walsh(screenplay)
      • Michael Elkins(screenplay)
      • Ennio De Concini(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Producer and Director Raoul Walsh did not like Daniela Rocca and did not believe she was a good actress or dancer. Walsh had Rocca's double perform Vashti's dance. He also gave one of Rocca's lines to another actress.
    • Goofs
      The ruins of an ancient Roman building complex are used as Simon's hideout. The ruins were disguised with some Persian elements (a broken statue, some sculptures on the walls), but Roman columns are visible. Most of the exterior/interior sets, however, are historically accurate representations of ancient Persian architecture.
    • Quotes

      Hegai: A plain white gown. Such simplicity! Was it your choice?

      Esther: Yes.

      Hegai: Indeed. One might think you have no desire to win a queen's crown. A most becoming modesty. It pleases me. An unassuming virtue that needs rewarding.

      [to the servants]

      Hegai: Fetch me the cloak of gold!

      [to the maidens]

      Hegai: You may rest, my little doves.

      [Hegai brings the golden cloak]

      Esther: I am grateful, but I don't wish to be so favored.

      Keresh: I will accept it.

      Esther: Oh, yes. Yes, give it to her.

      Hegai: [to Keresh] Speak only when you're spoken to!

      Keresh: Take care, eunuch! I have mighty friends.

      Hegai: In the brothels of the street of the soldiers, no doubt!

      [to Esther]

      Hegai: Here, my child. I ask you to wear it. Please.

      [wraps the cloak around Esther]

    • Connections
      Referenced in Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre (2000)

    User reviews21

    Review
    Top review
    The king and E.
    They say it's more Mario Bava's work than Raoul Walsh's whose métier was not really the biblical epic .The cinematography ,often dark,recalls some of the Italian director's horror movies,particularly Haman's henchman's murders.And I think that Joan Collins was better at playing a Villainess as she did in Hawks' "land of the pharaohs" .

    The part of Simon-played by Ric(k) Battaglia ,a specialist of the cheap Italian sword and sandal ,who played such figures as Orlando(Roland) or Vercingetorix- was made from start to finish by the screenwriters ,to create a dilemma for the heroine.The Bible,anyway,is given a rough ride :nothing is told ,for example ,about the fact that Mordecai -not Esther's uncle ,but actually her cousin,which does not make a big difference anyway- did not want to make a deep bow to Haman.

    Richard Egan ,on the other hand, is a good king ,he has style ,and he is as convincing a monarch as he is the good doctor,Pollyanna's friend ,the same year.
    helpful•2
    1
    • dbdumonteil
    • Apr 13, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 14, 1960 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Italy
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Story of Esther
    • Filming locations
      • Titanus Appia Studios, Rome, Lazio, Italy
    • Production companies
      • Twentieth Century Fox
      • Galatea Film
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 49 minutes
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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