Solomon and Sheba
| Solomon and Sheba | |
|---|---|
Lobby card
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| Directed by | King Vidor |
| Produced by | Ted Richmond |
| Screenplay by |
Anthony Veiller Paul Dudley George Bruce |
| Story by | Crane Wilbur |
| Based on |
Books of Kings Books of Chronicles |
| Starring |
Yul Brynner Gina Lollobrigida |
| Music by | Mario Nascimbene |
| Cinematography | Fred A. Young |
| Edited by | Otto Ludwig |
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Production
company |
Edward Small Productions
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| Distributed by | United Artists |
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Release date
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Running time
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141 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $5 million |
| Box office | $12,200,000 |
Solomon and Sheba is a 1959 American epic historical romance film directed by King Vidor, shot in Technirama (color by Technicolor), and distributed by United Artists. It stars Yul Brynner as Solomon and Gina Lollobrigida as Sheba; and features George Sanders as Adonijah, Marisa Pavan as Abishag, and David Farrar as the Pharaoh. The film is a dramatization of events depicted in The Bible—the tenth chapter of the First Kings and the ninth chapter of Second Chronicles. The screenplay by Anthony Veiller, Paul Dudley, and George Bruce, was based on a story by Crane Wilbur.
The film's theme differs substantially from Biblical sources and is highly fictionalized, most notably in representing the Queen of Sheba as an ally of ancient Egypt in opposition to King Solomon of Israel, and in her having a love affair with Solomon.
Under the rule of King David, Israel is united and prosperous, although surrounded by enemies, including Egypt and its allies. The ageing King favours Solomon to succeed him, but his elder brother Adonijah (George Sanders), a warrior, declares himself King. When David learns of this, he publicly announces Solomon to be his successor. Adonijah and Joab, his general, withdraw in rage, but Solomon later offers his brother the command of the army, knowing that it may be used against him.
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