Samson & Delilah (1950)

Customer Reviews: 24 votes Average Rating: 4.5

2008-05-16 Still not on DVD? WHY????

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful

People have been asking for years and no one's listening! I don't want a South Korean/HongKong import. Is it too much to ask? If they can release some tripe, recent TV shows, they can put this classic out on DVD.

2006-10-16 MOVIE SYNOPSIS

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

This dazzling biblical epic, based on the Old Testament story of the legendary strongman and the treacherous woman who betrayed him, became an instant classic in the "only by DeMille" tradition. Victor Mature stars as Samson, a proud and strong slave who gallantly fights for the love of a beautiful Philistine (Angela Lansbury). In a spectacular sequence, the rippling Samson fights a lion with his bare hands in order to gain the woman's hand in marriage as her sister, Delilah (Heddy Lamar), jealously looks on. On the evening of their wedding feast a battle erupts between Samson and jealous Philistines, tragically killing the young bride. Shattered, Samson declares vengeance on the Philistines as Delilah vows to avenge her sister's death. Samson becomes a legendary fighter of superhuman strength, unbeatable by even the greatest Philistine warriors. Only one thing can stop him--the love of a beautiful woman. DeMille creates a sumptuous oasis of Hollywood glamour in which Delilah and Samson swoon in this romantic epic that recalls the finery and splendid overblown production values of Joseph L. Mankiewicz's legendary CLEOPATRA. DeMille's passion for disaster is vividly employed in the stone-shattering climax. The film also features eye-popping costume creations from legendary designer Edith Head.

2006-06-25 Still waiting for this movie on DVD with closed caption

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

I have enjoyed this classic movie. It's really silly to have 2-hour movie on 2 VHS tapes which take up too much space in my video cabinet. I deducted 1 star for this reason.

Studio, if you read this, I hope you will have this movie transferred to DVD with closed-caption included, of course, in the near future. I wonder why it wasn't done so since it's as good as other classic movies like Ben Hur, Ten Commandments, The Robe, Demetrius and the Gladiators, Spartacus, etc. and I have those DVDs in my collection already.

2006-03-30 Samson & Delilah (1950) DVD , DVD DVD????? WHEN?

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

I saw the the movie when it played in the theater.
I got the VHS version on 2 separate tapes which is frustrating to change tapes.

I see other movies on DVD by Victor Mature like Demetrius & The Gladiators, The Robe.
Other movies like Ten Commandments, Ben Hur.
All these releases on DVD and NO SAMSON & DELILAH!!!!!!ON DVD!!!!!!

When in the world are they going to release this movie on DVD???

I loved this movie and I keep asking, WHEN IS THIS MOVIE, "SAMSON & DELILAH" with Victor Mature & Hedy Lamaar are going to be released???? WHEN???
PLEASE MAKE IT SOON!!!!

2006-03-27 Another DeMille Spectacle

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

"Samson and Delilah" is a high quality 1949 epic spectacle directed by Cecil B DeMille, starring Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr as the title characters. The story of Samson and Delilah is adapted from the biblical Book of Judges.

This is a delightful epic and moving story which was very successful. It is characterized by excellent cast, production and colourful costumes plus good acting. This DeMille's Biblical epic has unforgettable scenes and is well known for the beauty of its leading lady and the spectacular toppling of the temple.

The setting of the film is during the period when the Israelites were ruled and oppressed by the Philistines. During this time, God's angel appeared to Manoah and his sterile wife, Israelites residing in the city of Zorah. This angel tells them that they will have a son who will deliver the Israelites from the Philistines. The child was not to shave or cut his hair. Later the son, Samson, is born and he is reared according to the dictates of the angel.

Samson grew to be an Israelite of incredible strength and was a scourge of the Philistines. All the attempts by the Philistines to capture him had failed. Samson is utilized his massive strength to combat his enemies and perform heroic feats unachievable by ordinary men such as wrestling a lion; slaying an entire army with nothing more than a mule's jawbone and breaking down an entire building.

Along the way, Samson commits sins which results in his disastrous end. Whilst he was in Gaza, he falls in love with Delilah, a beautiful, charming and scheming lady. The Philistines approach Delilah and induce her to try to find the secret of Samson's strength. Eventually Samson tells Delilah that he will lose his strength at the loss of his hair. Delilah shaves Samson's hair and Samson is captured by the Philistines, who blind him. Samson is imprisoned by the Philistines, and is put to work grinding grain.

One day the Philistine leaders assemble in a temple for a religious sacrifice to their god Dagon for having delivered Samson into their hands. As their merriment grows, they summon Samson so that he may entertain them. Once inside the temple, Samson asks the servant who is leading him to the temple's central pillars if he may lean against them.

Then Samson prayed to God asking to be strengthened just once more, so that he can get revenge on the Philistines and for him to die with the Philistines. God gave him back his strength and he brought down the temple on the rulers and all the people in it.

This is a highly recommended movie. You should also see another DeMille spectacle, the Ten Commandments, if not yet done so.

Submit your opinions

1 - 5 | Next >>>