SAMSON AND DELILAH
US, 1984, 100 minutes, Colour.
Antony Hamilton, Belinda Bauer, Max Von Sydow, Maria Schell, Stephen Macht, Victor Mature.
Directed by Lee Philips.
Samson and Delilah is a mid-'80s telemovie, written by John Gay, author of many telemovies and adaptations of classics. Lee Philips, the director, has directed many telemovies.
The film pales in comparison with Cecil B. de Mille's epic. Of interest, Victor Mature, the original Samson, appears as Samson's father with Maria Schell in a guest role as his mother. Samson is played by Australian model Antony Hamilton - who did not have a subsequent career in films. Delilah is played by Australian-born actress Belinda Bauer (Dorian Gray, Winter Kills). Max von Sydow receives top billing as the Philistine lord. Jose Ferrer has a guest role as the high priest. Included in a very modern American-sounding cast is Daniel Stern as Samson's friend.
Many of the expected biblical incidents are there, but the film spends a lot of time with Samson and Delilah cavorting romantically with each other. There is the hair-cutting sequence as well as the destruction of the temple - rather more rapidly than might be desired for this kind of epic.
1. Entertaining biblical drama? '80s style? Memories of Cecil B. de Mille's original?
2. Location photography, the atmosphere of ancient Israel? The more modern style of costumes, buildings, chariots and weapons? Atmosphere of luxury - especially for the Philistines? Maurice Jarre's biblical score?
3. Audience familiarity with the biblical characters, stories? With Cecil B. de Mille's film? With other versions of Samson and Delilah? How biblical in style was this presentation?
4. The atmosphere and setting, the voice-over introduction? The background of Hebrew religion? Samson as a leader in Israel, his religious loyalty, his personal story, conflict with the Philistines? The destruction of the Philistines and their gods?
5. The sketch of Samson's parents, their faithfulness, pride in their son, concern about him, their journeys, their final grief? Samson's friends, the jocose opening with their throwing him into the pond, the preparation for his wedding? The background of Israel in its times?
6. Samson, son of his parents, religious leader, his friends, the marriage? The fight with the lion and the encounter with Sidka and Delilah? The attack of the Philistines, the complications of battle and diplomacy? His entanglement with Delilah, his passion for her - and the many love scenes? The clash with Sidka, the high priest? The hostility of the Philistines? His becoming their victim? His hopes in leading Israel and his disappointment? Betraying the secret of his strength to Delilah, his haircut, captured, eyes put out, grinding the mill? Brought into the temple - Delilah's final words? His destruction of the Philistines, his body being brought home?
7. Delilah, the courtesan, her place in Philistine society? Her faithful servant and his interventions? Sidka and his relationship with Delilah? Watching Samson, infatuated, her relationship with him? The pressure from Sidka, getting Samson's secret, cutting his hair? Her change of heart, words to him in the temple, escaping death? Returning with his body - and her change of heart?
8. Sidka, the Philistine leader, proud, ambitious? His troops, battles? Friendship with the priest, the advice of the priest? Wanting to entrap Samson? Success - and the celebrations in the temple, and the irony of his being crushed by the statue of Dagon? The world of the Philistines, wealth, corruption? Pagan? The film highlighting the triumph of Hebrew religion over paganism?
9. The popularity of this kind of biblical epic - for television audiences?
