Saül et David

Marcello Baldi, among whose better known works of historical fiction are "Mole Men against the Son of Hercules" and "Goliath and the Dragon", does a decent job directing this epic biblical tale of the early history of the Kingdom of Israel. In one of the first scenes, Saul (Norman Wooland) and Samuel (Carlos Casaravilla) set the tone of the film as Samuel tells Saul that he has already lost Israel through his disobedience to Jehovah and that a new king is already on the rise. Wooland and Casaravilla are the class of the acting talent here, and throughout most of the film, Wooland is forced to carry the dialog.

In that first scene, the seeds of Saul's paranoia and betrayal begin to sprout and Samuel, after a meaningful pause, says "you are already beginning to torment yourself." This really sets the tone of the entire story. The film chronicles the decline of Saul and the rise of David and Israel.

As with most biblical epics, this film would be a bit hard to watch for anybody who does not already appreciate the story. While the story is an intriguing and powerful one, the film relies fairly heavily on its audience's faith and knowledge and does not go out of its way to entertain.

A lot of the acting is mediocre - especially Gianni Garko's David - unfortunate because so many of his scenes are shared with the often manic performance of Wooland. Anthony Mayans and Luz Marques are fairly good as Jonathan and Abigail.

Although nicely shot, edited and directed, this version of Saul and David is just a little too scholastic and slow for me. Although I believe many of the stories of the old testament to be worth paying attention to, I find a straightforward presentation of these stories difficult to watch. On the other hand, Wooland's rather different and somewhat disturbing take on Saul might make this film worth watching for some.

This Italian produced film about the young life of David and his relation with King Saul is not precise to the Old Testament, but nevertheless shows very movingly how King Saul's reign and life got tarnished by his own deviance and popularity growing on David's side. Norman Wooland's performance of Saul seems pitiful comparing to the Bible account and future performances by Anthony Quayle and Edward Woodward. It was nice to see that the actors used Jehovah's name through out the picture and also Antonio Mayans in a beautiful performance as Jonathan. He seemed to be good for biblical films especially after portraying St. John in King of Kings two years earlier. Gianni Garko didn't do so bad as David since the Bible does say that David was red haired, comparing with Richard Gere,Keith Michell and Jeff Chandler's portrayal.

A biopic about two first Israel Kings : Saul (Norman Wooland who gives overacting) and David (Gianni Garco) , including great battles , drama , love and hatred , being some moments carried out in slow moving . The picture focuses their epic lives retelling their complicated relationship , rebellion , fights and the intrincacies in taking over the kingdom of Israel . Saul and David are very human figures who are recorded in the Bible : Samuel , Books 1 ,2 . The continued threat and domination of invaders countries : Amalacitas , Amonitas , Moabitas and Philistines forced the Jewish tribes uniting under a strong king , Saul . As prophet Samuel (Carlos Casaravilla) under divine inspiration appoints Saul as king . Later on , David claimed his rights for his marriage to Saul's daughter , Michal (Pilar Clemens) . King Saul is jealous of the fame and adoration of David , who vanquished Goliath and defeated Philistines . Then , David flees from Israel and joins Philistines commanded by a tyrant (Aldo Sambrell) , subsequently , David regrets and unites Saul forces ; however , being too late . As Saul and his son and heir Jonathan (Antonio Mayans) were vanquished by Philistines ; as Saul was murdered by a blade slashed himself . As David become king of the Jewish . David must discover his faith in God in order to save his kingdom from drought , famine , enemies and himself from his many sins . The harpist David , conquers Jerusalem and being author of the Psalms and whose heir was the infamous Salomon who built the temple of Jerusalem .

This Biblical story packs intense drama , familiar confrontations , impressive combats and a strong battle of wills between Saul/Norman Wooland and David/Gianni Garco . Highlights of the movie are the bloody execution of the stubborn priests and the final battles shot in Almeria , a location by that time was filmed lots of Paella/Spaghetti Western. It contains nice set decoration , interior well filmed in Cinecitta , and decent art direction but some scenes seem to be a little bit boring that it makes stately pace . Duo protagonist is acceptable and support cast is plenty of Spanish actors such as Luz Marquez , Virgilio Texeira , Antonio Mayans , Aldo Sambrell , Bernabe Barta Barry , among others. The motion picture was professionally directed by Marcello Baldi but it has several flaws and gaps . Baldi written/directed other epics and Peplum in similar style as ¨Jacob the man who fought with God¨ , ¨Gedeon and Sanson¨, ¨Goliath and the dragon¨, ¨Maciste invincible¨ and ¨Venus against the son of Hercules¨.

Other movies concerning about these Biblic kings are the followings : ¨David and Bathsheba¨(51) by Henry King with Susan Hayward , Gregory Peck , Kieron Moore ; David and Goliath¨ by Ferdinando Baldi with Orson Welles , Ivo Garrani , Ivo Payer , ¨A story of David¨ (61) with Jeff Chandler , Basil Sidney , Donald Pleasance ; ¨King David¨(1985) by Bruce Beresford with Richard Gere , Cherie Lunghi , Edward Woodward , Alice Krige and ¨David¨(1997) by Robert Markowitz with Nathaliel Parker , Jonathan Pryce , Sheryl Lee , Leonard Nimoy , Ben Daniels

If you ignore the context when it was made, the critics are easy to come. It is slice of a long serie of Italian and American movies inspired by mzthology and - or by Bible episodes. And, without be great, it is a decent film, result of admirable effort to reflect the essence of the conflict between Saul and David, giving , in not bad manner, convincing reflection of psychological tension. Maybe, Gianni Garko was not the best David , but it is not comfortable to be partner of the powerful Norman Wooland , very preocuped for give to his Saul the exact nuances defining him in well way.

Surprisingly effective drama, based on the biblical book of Samuel, about the ascent of David of Bethlehem to the throne of Judah, from his defeat of the Philistine Goliath, while still a boy, until the death of King Saul. A co-production between Spain and Italy, «Saul and David» is an expansive show of open spaces, hundreds of extras and massive sets evoking the 10th century BC. The dramatic effect of the film can be overshadowed, if the viewer pays too much attention to the controversies about the veracity of the kingdoms, administrations and buildings made by Saul, David, and Solomon, which range from academic mockery to fanatical reverence. Neither position has to do with adventure, war, passions and even the homoerotic suggestion between David and Jonathan, Saul's son, in a 1964 film. It is a work in which the pen of maestro Tonino Guerra intervened, a film of agile editing, economical in its descriptions and modern in its ellipsis, with a good interpretation by the British actor, expert in Shakespeare and Arthur Miller, Norman Wooland in the role of Saul, and the Croatian Gianni Garko, dexterous and handsome according to descriptions of David. Few minutes less in the final third of the drama between the protagonists, which leads to death and the conclusion of the monarchical dispute, would have favored the total effect. However, as is it works. And I confess that I saw it only because I was looking for information... and I was caught at the same time reflecting on how big film spectacles were produced in the old days and only the name of two or three producers were credited ... not 14 or 20 like today.