King David (1985)

This is a movie about the life of Israel's king David.

Director:

Bruce Beresford

Writers:

Andrew Birkin (screenplay), James Costigan (screenplay)

Stars:

Richard Gere, Edward Woodward, Alice Krige

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Gere	...	David
Edward Woodward	...	Saul
Alice Krige	...	Bathsheba
Denis Quilley	...	Samuel
Niall Buggy	...	Nathan
Cherie Lunghi	...	Michal
Hurd Hatfield	...	Ahimelech
Jack Klaff	...	Jonathan
John Castle	...	Abner
Tim Woodward	...	Joab
David de Keyser	...	Ahitophel
Ian Sears	...	Young David
Simon Dutton	...	Eliab
Jean-Marc Barr	...	Absalom
Arthur Whybrow	...	Jesse

Storyline

Israel circa 1,000 B.C. The adult life of David, who would eventually become King of Israel, is presented. The blessing of the Prophets, as the voice of God, is required before the King can take any major action. It is because God is annoyed with King Saul for not following his word that the Prophet Samuel, taking his cues from God, surprisingly and unexpectedly anoints David, the teenaged and youngest of Jesse's four sons, the next King. Regardless, it isn't until David's encounter with Goliath that he and many of the Israelites believe he could and should be King. Believing the anointing of David undermines his rule, King Saul, whose army is far outnumbered by those of the enemy Philistines, takes one measure after another against David and by association at the peril of his army in battles against the Philistines. These moves by Saul do not sit well with many, but especially his son Jonathan, who supports David as the next King. Over David's eventual rule as King, he will have his ...

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | king david character | bathsheba character | army | battle | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Biography | Drama | History | War

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 March 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le roi David

Filming Locations:

Abruzzo, Italy

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$2,212,481, 31 March 1985

Gross USA:

$5,111,099

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,111,099

Company Credits

Production Co:

Barclays Mercantile Industrial Finance, Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Rankcolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Despite the film being a biblical story, the movie could not escape Richard Gere's American Gigolo (1980) screen persona, as King David of Israel had five wives.

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Goofs

Shown in the confrontation with Goliath, David using a sling strikes Goliath on the bridge of the nose and the rock glances off. According to the Bible, David struck Goliath on his forehead and the stone sank into his forehead and Goliath fell on his face to the ground. (1 Sam. 17:49)

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Quotes

[first lines]
Saul's guard: The king cannot speak with you now. He is engaged in the affairs of state.
Samuel: Since when have the affairs of state taken precedence over the affairs of God?
[shoves his way past and enters Saul's throne room]
Saul: ...Samuel. We welcome you. With God's blessing, our victory is complete.
Samuel: Is THIS how you show Him your gratitude... by robbing the Amalekites of their women and cattle? By holding their king in chains?
Saul: We were discussing a possible treaty. The king is to be ransomed...
Samuel: A *treaty?*...
[...]

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Connections

Version of David and Goliath (1960)

User Reviews

King David

Even Woodard's fascinating characterization of Saul cannot save this drab biblical epic about the King of Israel who took on Goliath. Gere is way out here as David, but he makes an effort. Beresford tries too hard to copy Lean or Kubrick in the battle scenes. It's almost too obvious.