King David (film)
| King David | |
|---|---|
 Original film poster | |
| Directed by | Bruce Beresford |
| Produced by | Martin Elfand |
| Written by |
Andrew Birkin James Costigan |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Carl Davis |
| Cinematography | Donald McAlpine |
| Edited by | William M. Anderson |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release dates | March 29, 1985 |
Running time | 115 minutes |
| Country |
United Kingdom United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $21 million |
| Box office | $5,111,099 |
King David is an 1985 American drama film about the second king of the Land of Israel, David. It was directed by Bruce Beresford and starred Richard Gere in the title role.
Synopsis
The film follows the life of David, drawing mainly from biblical accounts, especially I and II Samuel, I Chronicles, and the Psalms of David.[1]
Cast
- Richard Gere as David
- Edward Woodward as Saul
- Alice Krige as Bathsheba
- Denis Quilley as Samuel
- Niall Buggy as Nathan
- Cherie Lunghi as Michal
- Hurd Hatfield as Ahimelech
- Jack Klaff as Jonathan
- John Castle as Abner
- Tim Woodward as Joab
- David de Keyser as Ahitophel
- Ian Sears as Young David
- Simon Dutton as Eliab
- Jean-Marc Barr as Absalom
- George Eastman as Goliath
- Arthur Whybrow as Jesse
- Christopher Malcolm as Doeg the Edomite
- Valentine Pelka as Shammah
- Ned Vukovic as Malchishua
- Gina Bellman as Tamar
- James Coombes as Amnon
- James Lister as Uriah the Hittite
- Jason Carter as Solomon
- Genevieve Allenbury as Ahinoam
- Massimo Sarchielli as Palastu
- Aïché Nana as Ahinoab
- Ishia Bennison as Maacah
- Jenny Lipman as Abigail
- Roberto Renna as Zabad
- Marino Masé as King Agag
- George Eastman as Goliath
- Anton Alexander as Runner
- Tomás Milián as Akiss (uncredited)
- John Barrard as Benjamite Elder
- Michael Müller as Abinadab
- Mark Drewry as Ishbosheth
- John Gabriel as King Jehosaphat
- Lorenzo Piani as Guardian
- Nicholas van der Weide as Young Solomon
- Shimon Avidan as Young Absalom
- Peter Frye as Judean Elder
- David Graham as Ephraimite Elder
- David George as Messenger
- Nicola Di Gioia as Hebrew
- John Hallam as Philistine Armour Bearer
Production
It was filmed in 1984 in Matera and Craco both in Basilicata, and Campo Imperatore in Abruzzo, the Lanaitto valley (Oliena) in Sardinia, Italy, and at Pinewood Studios in England.[2]
Reception
The film was not well received by the critics, with the New York Times calling it "...not a good film...". Review aggregate Rotten Tomatoes gave the film a 'rotten' 14% rating.[3] Richard Gere's performance in the film earned him a Golden Raspberry Award nomination for Worst Actor, which he lost to Sylvester Stallone for Rambo: First Blood Part II and Rocky IV.
Aftermath
Years later, Bruce Beresford said of the film:
I think there are a few things in it that are interesting. But, I think there are so many things that are wrong. We never liked the script... we never really caught the friendship between David and Jonathan. There weren't enough scenes between them. And David, himself - I think Richard Gere was miscast. He is a wonderful actor but he is much better in contemporary pieces.[4]
See also
- List of historical drama films
- Kings (U.S. TV series)
- List of films based on military books (pre-1775)
- Whitewashing in film