Samson et Dalila

This is the third version of the Biblical tale that I've watched - or fourth, if you include the peplum SAMSON (1961); the best of the lot, clearly, remains Cecil B. De Mille's 1949 spectacular.

Since this is part of a series of made-for-TV films highlighting famous stories from the Bible, one is surprised to find a celebrated and talented director such as Nicolas Roeg involved - though they all managed to attract a vast array of international and upcoming stars. That said, Roeg's career has been steadily on a downhill slide ever since the mid-80s - surely one of the saddest declines in recent memory! This film was actually written by the director's frequent collaborator Allan Scott (including the masterpiece DON'T LOOK NOW [1973]), but the magic is seldom in evidence on this particular occasion - and the end result is as bland as its TV origins suggest...

Even so, it's not entirely worthless if clearly overly-padded at a length of nearly 3 hours: while the look of the film is curiously drab, the star cast offers compensations - best of all, perhaps, are Dennis Hopper (as a prescient Philistine General), Michael Gambon (the Philistine ruler) and Daniel Massey (as a learned Jewish elder). Still, though Liz Hurley is ideally cast as Delilah, her performance is too modern - and, consequently, the character's ultimate redemption lacks conviction; as for Eric Thal's Samson, the script may have made him more conflicted than Victor Mature's take in the De Mille version - but again, rather than evoke the traits one should associate with this Biblical character, the actor's boyish looks merely bring to mind the pumped-up heroes of juvenile sword-and-sorcery films and TV series of recent vintage...

Incidentally, I only rented this because my father had been whining about "The Bible Collection" on DVD for months (I brought him MOSES [1995] at the same time but, even if it featured Ben Kingsley, Frank Langella and Christopher Lee, opted not to watch it myself); eventually, he too - who had caught many of Hollywood's classic historical epics when new - was ultimately unimpressed, and readily admitted that these newer incarnations offered no competition!

Biblical epics, since there have been many of them made so far, can be divided into three main subcategories: the high camp spectacles, the loose and distorted interpretations, and the truthful biblical productions. While the best example of the first group are the films made by the showman named Cecil B DeMille, the best example of the third group is SAMSON AND DELILAH (1996), one of the new international biblical productions. Among other new productions, including ABRAHAM (1994) with Richard Harris, MOSES (1995) with Ben Kingsley and JEREMIAH (1998) with Patrick Dempsey, this movie stands out as particularly entertaining, not because it is directed by Nicholas Roeg (who is a good director), but because of its very specific content, exceptionally interesting and up-to-date.

The story of Samson is the story of strength, calling, love, suffering, revenge, lust, treason, and, finally, forgiveness. When I was a child and listened to biblical stories, I was particularly touched by this very one. Then, as a boy, I was interested primarily in Samson's strength. It appealed to me as a story of a man who could win alone over the army. Yet, when I grew up, I noticed that there is something more than the story of a giant. I noticed some remarkable psychological aspects of his life story. Samson loved his people, the Israellites, but, since he loved the stranger flesh, lust drove him to his enemies, the Phillistines. When lust turned into love, treason appeared... and we all know how miserable his fate with short hair and blinded eyes was...

This very specific content is a pearl for making a movie. While Cecil B DeMille focused primarily on spectacle in his 1948 movie, Nicholas Roeg focuses on the psychological aspect. In this film, a viewer may lose the time distance because of some very profound, universal thoughts presented. "I think that I know myself so well but sometimes, I think that I do not know myself whatsoever" ... The best and richest reflections are the ones by Generale Tariq (Dennis Hopper), a Phillistine, who, though being an eminent person on the royal court at Gaza, claims to be the wrong person in the wrong place and at the wrong time. Although he is reasonable, he doubts his deeds and "the great victory" over such a weak enemy. He is also the only Phillistine who predicts the end - "Go, boy! Leave the gates of Gaza immediately!" which he says just before the temple falls, and it falls so realistically in the film! This role is wonderfully played by Dennis Hopper. Delilah (Liz Hurley) first sees the benefits galore from betraying Samson, but as their love proceeds, she hesitates to dare treason. In the end, she totally regrets but it is too late... Prince Sidqa (Ben Becker) is a proud young man who, unlike his teacher of fighting Generale Tariq (Dennis Hopper), sees the victory in slaying rather than tactics. The Israellites are rather primitive people, not only because they don't use iron, the new weapon of their masters, but because they cannot manage alone, without Samson. "God desires war now", which they shout after the claimed sign in the sky. Yet, there are proper characters. Nevertheless, it is clear that the Phillistines are showed as people searching for something rather than knowing everything. Therefore, the reality of that period is very accurate in the film in spite of the fact that some characters are fictitious.

The performances are particularly remarkable. Dennis Hopper, already mentioned, is very appealing in the role of Tariq; Liz Hurley is a beautiful Delilah with a huge potential in acting talent; Eric Thal is accurate as Samson since he looks very good and portrays a real man of strength betrayed and conquered; Ben Becker gives an authentic performance as Prince Sidqa expressing his pride and extremely sick ambition; yet, Michael Gambon portrays the king, Re Hamun, as someone who is not an absolute monarch but someone open to advice, particularly the advice of Tariq. Therefore, SAMSON AND DELILAH may be considered to be a masterwork of performances.

The reality of the biblical period (more than 1,000 years before Christ) in the times of judges is presented accurately. The costumes as well as some details from people's every day life make a wonderful journey to that, such a distant period (consider the iron used by Phillistines). There is also a historical emphasis on different lifestyles and believes of primitive at that time but monotheistic Israellites and modern but polytheistic Phillistines.

See SAMSON AND DELILAH. You don't have to be a fan of the Bible! The story is so great that it cannot be treated as the biblical story only. And that is what the film does. Strength, power, lust, murder, revenge, treason, forgiveness... Isn't that universal? 7/10

This movie can be graded differently. If you are looking for a movie that stays true to the content of the bible, this movie is very subpar. They rewrite many scenes of the bible. I understand maybe adding scenes (like filler scenes) but to take parts from the bible and then re-write them can be upsetting. If you are looking for a movie that somewhat tells the story as a whole of sampson, then i can see giving it 5 or 6 stars. I unfortunately saw the 1949 version and because of such, I couldn't help but compare these two, and it made this movie look like a kids play. Three boring hours this movie was. Two of the three hours was pure talk.

So-so rendition upon the Biblical story dealing with the long haired strongman who fatally falls in love with tempter Delilah . Middling rendition based on the bouncing judge Samson (Eric Thal) who defeated Philistines, but was betrayed by Delilah (Elizabeth Hurley) robbing him his strenght by shearing his hair . Samson is born and as foretold he grows into a boy (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) with amazing strength. As time passes, Samson becomes an attractive young man and young women begin to interest him more and more. Samson was a valiant and hunk judge from the tribe of Manasseh. His violent and troublesome existence is told in the Bible, books 13 to 16, book of Judges. Here are narrated the usual episodes about his life as his loving affairs, fight against a roaring lion , removing enormous doors, firing land and harvests, his impressive battle thousands of Philistine soldiers by using a donkey jaw , falling down the temple of Dagon along with the giant sculpture of the pagan idol and many other things . Samson was the strongest man alive in Israel , fighting his two main enemies , ruler Re Hamun (Michael Gambon ) and Generale Tariq (Dennis Hopper) and he unfortunately falls in love for a Philistine girl, but after being rejected by the mighty hero, Delilah discovers his dark secret based on an incredible strength provided by the hair, as she informs his enemies and while shearing his curls. According to the biblical account, Samson was given supernatural strength by God in order to combat his enemies and perform heroic feats such as killing a lion, slaying an entire army with only the jawbone of an ass, and destroying a pagan temple. Samson had two vulnerabilities, however: his attraction to untrustworthy women such as Delilah and his hair, without which he was powerless. One day the Philistine leaders assembled in a temple for a religious sacrifice to Dagon, one of their most important deities, for having delivered Samson into their hands. They summon Samson so that people can gather on the roof to watch. Once inside the temple, Samson, his hair having grown long again, asks the servant who is leading him to the temple's central pillars if he may lean against them . He pulled the two pillars together , and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people . Thus he killed many more as he died than while he lived .

Known Biblical episode, being here decently narrated with some nice scenes and other ones extremely absurd and disconcerting. Spectacularly horny as well as corny tale that uses the habitual landscapes from Ouarzazate, Morocco . Regularly starred by Eric Thal as the corpulent Samson, and gorgeous, charming Elizabeth Hurley playing the tempter , vindictive vixen Delilah. The movie boasts a good support cast, such as : Michael Gambon as the mean and powerful Re Hamun , Dennis Hopper who steals the show as a nefarious villain, Jonathan Rhys Meyers as a very young Sansone , Alessandro Gassman, Daniel Massey, Paul Freeman, Diana Rigg ,Debora Caprioglio , Sebastian Knapp , Pinkas Braun , among others . The motion picture was middlingly directed by Nicolas Roeg . Nicolas was an expert cameraman and filmmaker , he went to Australia for his solo debut as director Walkabout (1971) , which was also his last film as cinematographer, and throughout the next decade he produced a world-class body of work Don't look now (1973); The man who fell to Earth (1976); Bad timing (1980)) that revealed his uniquely off-kilter view of the world, expressed through fragmented, dislocated images and a highly original yet strangely accessible approach to narrative .

Other films dealing with this Biblic figure are the following ones : Samson and Delilah 1950 by Cecil B DeMille with Victor Mature, Hedy Lamarr, Angela Lansbury, Henry Wilconson. I grandi condottieri or The Biblical Judges 1965 by Marcello Baldi and Francisco Perez Dolz with Anton Geesink, Rosalba Neri, Ivo Garrani, Barta Barri, Fernando Rey. 1984 by Lee Philips with Anthony Hamilton, Belinda Bauer, Max Von Sidow, Stephen Match . Last one was Samson (2018) modern version of the Biblical romance by Bruce MacDonald and Gabriel Sabloff with Taylor James , Caitlin Leahy , Billy Zane , Jackson Rathbone , Greg Kriek , Auret , Lindsay Wagner and Rutger Hauer . Furthermore, this huge figure starred a lot of Sword and Sandals movies or Peplum, usually played by Steve Reeves, Reg Park, Alan Steel, Brad Harris, Gordon Scott and many others.

This made-for-television film, 'Samson and Delilah', is an interesting and thought-provoking adaptation that, despite its small-screen origins, powerfully captures the essence of the biblical narrative.

The film successfully navigates the core themes of the biblical story. Samson's journey from a divinely ordained 'Nazarite' to a tragic figure of his own making is meticulously portrayed. The film hits all the key plot points: his birth, the riddles, the killing of the lion, his acts of vengeance against the Philistines, his relationship with Delilah, and his ultimate downfall and final act of defiance. The film even includes the lesser-known detail of Samson's first Philistine wife, adding depth to his complicated character. Through these events, the film explores themes of betrayal, pride, redemption, and the consequences of straying from a divine path.

The film's Samsonite strength lies in its substance, not its style. Unlike many modern blockbusters that prioritize visual effects and grand spectacle, 'Samson and Delilah' focuses on character development and the emotional weight of the story. The performances, particularly Hurley's nuanced portrayals of Delilah as a woman caught between love and loyalty to her people and the Philistine's general, portrayed by Dennis Hopper, for similar reasons as to Delilah's, are the film's driving force. The production design and costumes are well-researched, creating an authentic-looking world without the need for excessive CGI. This approach allows the audience to connect with the human drama at the heart of the story rather than just being wowed by special effects.

The story's enduring relevance is made clear in the film's depiction of a never-ending cycle of conflict. The story of Samson is not just about a single hero; it's about a relentless, generational struggle between the Israelites and the Philistines. Samson's acts of retribution are met with equally brutal counter-retaliation, leading to a seemingly endless series of attacks and bloodshed. This cyclical pattern of violence, where each side's historical grievances fuel the next act of aggression, sadly mirrors conflicts we see today in certain regions in the Middle-East to this day, where historical tensions and retaliatory actions continue to perpetuate a cycle of suffering. The film serves as a somber reminder of how easily history can repeat itself when old hatreds are allowed to fester.

'Samson and Delilah' is an exceptional example of a biblical epic that succeeds by honoring its source material. It proves that a well-told story, driven by strong performances and a focus on character, can be more powerful than any amount of spectacle. The film remains a compelling and thought-provoking adaptation, offering timeless lessons on faith, betrayal, and the tragic consequences of unending conflict.