Expensively mounted Biblical production with all star-cast and spectacularly filmed in North Africa . Breathtaking story set in Biblical times with emphasis in lavish costumes and crowds . Justly before his death in ancient Israel King David (Max Von Sidow) has a vision from God saying him that his younger son Solomon (Ben Cross) , should succeed him as king . His other son Adonijah (Ivan Kaye) is mean and promises to achieve the kingdom by whatever way . King David names his younger son, Solomon his heir and -Bathsheba's (Anouk Aimée) son- facing his older son Adonijah. King Solomon acts with wisdom and benevolent and his government is seen as a threat to more tyrannical monarchs in the region and subsequently building the templo of Solomon . But Joab utilizes the ambitious Prince Adonijah in her plots , making life dangerous for Solomon . Later on , Joab (David Suchet) and Adonijah agree schemes and to encounter manners to overthrow Solomon . Meantime , the Queen of Sheba (Vivica Fox) arrives in Jerusalem, supposedly for a friendly meeting , Solomon slowly falls in love with her.
An overblown all-star treatment of the stories in the Old Testament dealing with David , Salomon , Sheba and Adonijah . Lavish spectacle about Solomon and his lover Sheba based on historical events . Ben Cross and Vivica Fox play a sultriest couple , including some sexy scenes , as when they are bathing and swimming get together . There is also a fine support cast such as Max Von Sydow , David Suchet , Ivan Kaye , Umberto Orsini , G.W. Bailey , Michael Culkin , Stefania Rocca ,and Dexter Fletcher as Rehoboam . There's so much visual padding full of armours , weapons, carriages , and crowd scenes . Based on Biblical events with sad final as the kingdom that Solomon received from his father David, and invested with such might and magnificence, is divided between Jeroboam and Rehoboam . Director gives this film the feel of great spectacle , but there is little human touch to any of the deeds . Very good and evocative photography by Raffaele Mertes filmed in Tunez and Morocco . Evocative and impressive musical score by Patrick Williams and Ennio Morricone . Rating : 6 , passable and acceptable.
There is another known rendition in 1959 ¨ Solomon and Sheba ¨(original title) with Yul Brynner , though Tyrone Power died during the shooting in Spain and some shots still show him , he was replaced by Brynner who remade his early scenes, and Gina Lollobrigida , George Sanders , Harry Andrews , Marisa Pavan , John Crawford , Finlay Currie , David Farrar ...
