Main Cast: Yul Brynner, Gina Lollobrigida, George Sanders, Marisa Pavan, David Farrar
Release Year: 1959
Country: US
Run Time: 139 minutes
Plot
Romance, treachery, intrigue and spiritual awakenings abound in the Biblical film adaptation of Solomon and Sheba. Trouble begins between two brothers when poet Solomon (Yul Brynner) is chosen to be next in line to the throne by King David of Israel. His warrior brother Adonijah (George Sanders) is livid when Solomon becomes king. While Israel prospers under Solomon, Sheba (Gina Lollobrigida) conspires with the Egyptians to topple Israel. She is ambitious and seductive and finally gets Solomon to fall in love with her. When a pagan dance ritual turns into an orgy, the people turn against Solomon when the Temple of Jehovah is struck by lightning. After the righteous Solomon has fallen from the grace of God, Sheba renounces her pagan Gods and converts to Judaism. A cast of thousands depict the raging battle between the Israelites and the Egyptians. Directed by King Vidor at the cost of five million dollars, production was delayed when the original choice for the role of Solomon (Tyrone Power) died during the making of the film. Many scenes had to be redone with his replacement, Yul Brynner. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
Review
Biblical epic completists will enjoy Solomon and Sheba, but those with a low tolerance for the genre are advised to stay well away. There are far worse films than Solomon, and far worse ones just among the Bible-based epics, but Solomon still is somewhat difficult to sit through. It's too long, although shorter than many other epics, but its length isn't so much a problem as its pace; it simply FEELS longer than it actually is, due in large part to director King Vidor's deliberateness. Vidor's heart simply doesn't seem to be in Solomon, and so even the action and adventure scenes don't have the sparkle and drive that they require. Vidor stated that part of the problem lay with the fact that he had to replace original leading man Tyrone Power, who he claimed understood the complexities of the character, with Yul Brynner, who sees the character as faultless and decisive, incapable of worrying about the rightness or wrongness of his actions. Brynner, sporting a toupee, does not give a very interesting performance, and even reliable George Sanders comes across as a bit tired (and a bit long in the tooth for his role as well). Gina Lollobrigida looks fantastic, but her performance is also nothing to write home about. Still, the physical production is impressive, and those who enjoy throngs of soldiers going at each other and Divinely-inspired battle plans should find plenty here to satisfy them. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
Richard Day - Art Director, Alfred Sweeney - Art Director, Jaroslave Berger - Choreography, King Vidor - Director, Otto Ludwig - Editor, Malcolm Arnold - Composer (Music Score), Mario Nascimbene - Composer (Music Score), Freddie Young - Cinematographer, Ted Richmond - Producer, King Vidor - Producer, Alex C. Weldon - Special Effects, Crane Wilbur - Screen Story, George Bruce - Screenwriter, Anthony Veiller - Screenwriter, Paul Dudley - Screenwriter
The film's theme differs substantially from Biblical sources, most notably in representing the Queen of Sheba as an ally of ancient Egypt in opposition to King Solomon of Israel.
The plot of the film centres on rivalry between the sons of King David of Israel: Adonijah (George Sanders) and Solomon (Yul Brynner), when the poet Solomon is chosen as his heir by King David. His warrior brother Adonijah is furious when Solomon becomes king. While Israel prospers under Solomon, Queen of Sheba (Gina Lollobrigida) conspires with the Egyptian Pharaoh to undermine Solomon's rule by seducing Solomon and introducing Sheban pagan worship into Jerusalem.
Production
The film was shot in Madrid and Valdespartera, Zaragoza, Spain. It was the last film directed by Hollywood veteran King Vidor.
During filming in Madrid, the original star of the film, Tyrone Power, died of a heart attack after a grueling dueling scene with George Sanders. (The two had also filmed a sword fight in the 1942 film The Black Swan.) Yul Brynner took over the role, though Power can still be seen in long shots. The film is probably most noted for an orgy scene featuring Sheba (Lollobrigida) (see the lobby card) which was extremely licentious for Hollywood motion pictures of that era.
