DAVID & BATHSHEBA (DVD/SENSORMATIC) DVD

David and Bathsheba
David and Bathsheba is a respectable, slightly stodgy cinematic adaptation of the Old Testament story. King David (Gregory Peck), much beloved by his subjects and a war hero of long standing, falls victim to the sins of the flesh when he falls in love with Bathsheba (Susan Hayward), the wife of Uriah (Kieron Moore), one of David's most trusted soldiers. His downfall begins when David orders Uriah into a suicidal battle, knowing that this will clear the way for his relationship with Bathsheba. His infatuation leads him to neglect his kingdom and his people, and invokes the wrath of God. Only after his land has been devastated by God's hand does David offer atonement. The film's lavish production values compensate ever so slightly for the long-winded script. David and Bathsheba was the last major "flat-screen" Biblical epic; it was filmed in 1951 B.C. -- Before Cinemascope. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast Gregory Peck as King David Susan Hayward as Bathsheba Raymond Massey as Nathan Kieron Moore as Uriah James Robertson Justice as Abishai Jayne Meadows as Michal John Sutton as Ira Dennis Hoey as Joab Walter Talun as Goliath Paula Morgan as Adulteress Francis X. Bushman as King Saul Teddy Infur as Jonathan Leo B. Pessin as David as boy Gwen Verdon as Specialty Dancer Gilbert Barnett as Absolom John Burton as Priest Lumsden Hare as Old Shepherd George Zucco as Egyptian Ambassador Paul Newlan as Samuel Bob Stephenson as Executioner Harry Carter as Executioner Johnny Duncan as Jesse's 3rd Son James Craven as Court Announcer

Crew George W. Davis - Art Director Lyle Wheeler - Art Director Jack Cole - Choreography Charles LeMaire - Costume Designer Edward Stevenson - Costume Designer Henry King - Director Barbara McLean - Editor Alfred Newman - Composer (Music Score) Ben Nye, Sr. - Makeup Thomas K. Little - Production Designer Paul S. Fox - Production Designer Leon Shamroy - Cinematographer Darryl F. Zanuck - Producer Paul S. Fox - Set Designer Thomas K. Little - Set Designer Fred Sersen - Special Effects Philip Dunne - Screenwriter

David and Bathsheba
Fans of Biblical epics will find a lot to like in David and Bathsheba; although there's little here that will appeal to those who don't look favorably upon the genre. The script is predictably overblown, filled with the kind of bombast and stilted melodrama that is to be expected. It's ridiculous, yet in its own strange way, it works. It is also, typically, both too reverent and too "Hollywood"-ized; also like most Biblical epics of the period, it takes advantage of its religious underpinnings to indulge in some lurid sensuality. The direction is big and broad, filling the screen appropriately yet ultimately rather sterile. But there's plenty of spectacle to fill the eyes, with gorgeous costumes, delicious Leon Shamroy cinematography, and fabulous sets -- and these things count for a great deal. David also has a stellar cast; if Gregory Peck is a trifle stiff, he still supplies the requisite power and charisma, and Susan Hayward is a delight as the luscious adulteress. (Stage fans will want to keep a sharp eye out for future musical theater star Gwen Verdon, who has a few moments in the spotlight as a specialty dancer.) Throw in a grand Alfred Newman score and some nifty battle scenes, and the result is a good, if occasionally dawdling, Hollywood excursion into the Good Book. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
 

Alfred Newman: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Drama or Comedy Score (nominated) Charles LeMaire: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Color Costume Design (nominated) Edward Stevenson: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Color Costume Design (nominated) George W. Davis: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Color Art Direction (nominated) Henry King: Directors Guild of America, Best Director (nominated) Leon Shamroy: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Color Cinematography (nominated) Lyle Wheeler: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Color Art Direction (nominated) Paul S. Fox: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Color Art Direction (nominated) Philip Dunne: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Story and Screenplay (nominated) Thomas K. Little: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Color Art Direction (nominated)

General Specifications: Language Options: English, French, Spanish Subtitle Options: English, Spanish Sound Processing: DD1: Dolby Digital Mono DD2: Dolby Digital Stereo Additional Features: cc "Once in 3000 Years" featurette with Gregory Peck & Susan Hayward Theatrical trailers & more! DVD Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1: Pre-1954 Standard MPAA Rating: NR DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 116 min   DVD Chapters: Disc #1 -- David and Bathsheba 1. Main Titles [1:20] 2. The Scouting Mission [3:28] 3. Battle Strategy [2:12] 4. Return to Jerusalem [3:48] 5. Dismissing Michal [:08] 6. A Sight to Behold [3:59] 7. Bathsheba [2:36] 8. A Love Like No Other [3:59] 9. A Black Day for Israel [4:43] 10. Mount Gilboa [3:48] 11. The Ark of the Covenant [2:36] 12. With Child [2:29] 13. A Word With Uriah [4:51] 14. Failed Plan [1:01] 15. Ordered to Die [5:50] 16. God's Word [2:19] 17. The Wedding [2:50] 18. Wrath [5:20] 19. Punishment [1:59] 20. Accepting Her Fate [4:38] 21. Fighting Back [2:39] 22. In the Tabernacle [2:43] 23. The Anointed One [2:38] 24. King David/End Titles [3:34]