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IMDbPro

King David

  • 19851985
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 54m
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
2.4K
YOUR RATING
Richard Gere in King David (1985)
AdventureBiographyDrama
The Biblical story of Israel's greatest King.The Biblical story of Israel's greatest King.The Biblical story of Israel's greatest King.
IMDb RATING
5.3/10
2.4K
YOUR RATING
    • Bruce Beresford
    • Andrew Birkin(screenplay)
    • James Costigan(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Richard Gere
    • Edward Woodward
    • Alice Krige
    • Bruce Beresford
    • Andrew Birkin(screenplay)
    • James Costigan(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • Richard Gere
    • Edward Woodward
    • Alice Krige
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 28User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Photos52

    Richard Gere in King David (1985)
    Richard Gere and Alice Krige in King David (1985)
    Richard Gere and Alice Krige in King David (1985)
    Richard Gere in King David (1985)
    Richard Gere and Alice Krige in King David (1985)
    Richard Gere and Alice Krige in King David (1985)
    Richard Gere in King David (1985)
    Richard Gere in King David (1985)
    Richard Gere and Alice Krige in King David (1985)
    Alice Krige in King David (1985)
    King David (1985)
    Richard Gere in King David (1985)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Richard Gere
    Richard Gere
    • David
    Edward Woodward
    Edward Woodward
    • Saul
    Alice Krige
    Alice Krige
    • Bathsheba
    Denis Quilley
    Denis Quilley
    • Samuel
    Niall Buggy
    Niall Buggy
    • Nathan
    Cherie Lunghi
    Cherie Lunghi
    • Michal
    Hurd Hatfield
    Hurd Hatfield
    • Ahimelech
    Jack Klaff
    Jack Klaff
    • Jonathan
    John Castle
    John Castle
    • Abner
    Tim Woodward
    Tim Woodward
    • Joab
    David de Keyser
    David de Keyser
    • Ahitophel
    Ian Sears
    • Young David
    Simon Dutton
    Simon Dutton
    • Eliab
    Jean-Marc Barr
    Jean-Marc Barr
    • Absalom
    Arthur Whybrow
    • Jesse
    Christopher Malcolm
    Christopher Malcolm
    • Doeg
    Valentine Pelka
    Valentine Pelka
    • Shammah
    Ned Vukovic
    • Malchishua
      • Bruce Beresford
      • Andrew Birkin(screenplay)
      • James Costigan(screenplay) (story based upon The Books of Samuel I and II Chronicles I and the Psalms of David)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Rachel Weisz was offered a large part in this film when she was only 14, but her parents would not allow her to do it.
    • Goofs
      The "Star of David" on the shields and military standards is inaccurate. The symbol only came into common usage as a religious/national symbol many decades later. (Some believe during the middle ages) Assuming that this symbol represents David, as the name suggests, this would not be an Israelite symbol until the time of David's Kingship. This is out of place during the reign of King Saul.
    • 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?* *Ransom?* Saul, for this you have betrayed your own soul in the sight of God. His instructions were plain enough: "... Spare nothing from the sword."

      [beheads the Amalekite king]

      Samuel: ... When our tribes clamored for a king, to make us like other nations, I answered them: "We are not like other nations. The Lord of Hosts is both our God and our King." The people said, "We want a king we can see. We want a king of our own flesh and blood."

      [holds up the severed head]

      Samuel: Here are your kings of flesh and blood. Here is a king you can see.

      [throws the head at Saul's feet]

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: King David/Lady Hawke/Fraternity Vacation (1985)

    User reviews28

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    One of the better Biblical adaptations
    This is one unjustly maligned film. For the most part, the acting is well above average. Edward Woodward's love/hate relationship (enfasis on the hate) with David comes across excelently. Richard Gere does an adequate job. I can't stand his style on most films that I have seen him but here he is just fine. The Jonathan character is heroic and handsome, while the actor who portrays the prophet Nathan does as best a job as anyone could do. Some minor problems/irritations, the location of Jerusalem should have been a more scenic and lush one, not desert-like. Jerusalem might be semi-desert today but 3,000 years ago it was a beautiful land flowing with milk and honey. Highlights include David's dance before the Ark of the Covenant, the battle scene versus the Phillistines where King Saul is killed with his sons (Mel Gibson must have seen it) is Braveheart light, but realistic nonetheless. There are many more, I just wish it could have been longer due to them skipping a whole part of his later life all the way up to his deathbed. One of the better Biblical adaptations nonetheless.
    helpful•15
    7
    • JasonT413
    • Nov 19, 2002

    Details

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    • Release date
      • March 29, 1985 (United States)
      • United Kingdom
      • United States
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Abruzzo, Italy
    • Production companies
      • Barclays Mercantile Industrial Finance
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 54 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Stereo

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