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:

army | battle | king david | nudity | kissing while having sex | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Biography | Drama | 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, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$5,111,099, 31 December 1985

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

Second of three films that actor Edward Woodward made with director Bruce Beresford. The movies include Breaker Morant (1980), King David (1985) and Mister Johnson (1990). All three pictures had two-word titles and were all made in around five year intervals.

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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 The Story of David (1976)

User Reviews

One of the better biblical-related-movies

First of all, I can't quite understand all the negative response this film has gotten, but perhaps it's because I'm not a fan of the Bible. And might I add, the Bible is not some sort of documentary, it's a fictional book just like many other books. Most likely based on some experiences, some dreams and some tales told by nameless people from the past. The thing I like about this film, is that it portrays the persons as actual people, flawed and emotional. One has to be a cold-hearted, immoral murderer to obey the laws of the "god" as he is portrayed in the Bible. And I get the feeling he (if he has a gender), I rather call greater forces "it" personally, or "she" as females are better at creating life than males; I get the feeling that he would be rather disappointed at the humans, and the ones who probably misread all the signs he gave. But, we'll never know, so it doesn't really matter. When David follows his heart, I think he does the only right thing a person can do. One can read signs whatever way one wants, therefor it's impossible to know what a "god" would want. If there is one, or several, we simply don't speak the same language. And, to avoid horrible mistakes, I would rather follow my own heart and best judgement, than to murder and sacrifice and make enemies at the rate that the prophets would have David do. I think David in this movie is a very sympathetic person, and it's a well acted film about religion and it's complexity.