Surprisingly incoherent and boring

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Admirable film.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

From a Swords & sandals film from "50-60 decades the expectations are so clear than it seems nothing new to say. the Biblical movies from the same period are predictable, too. in this case, the things are different. because the axis is the dialogue. because the fight scenes are not the basic ingredient and the love story, well known, is gived in the right way. Gregory Peck gives a real different David and his admirable performance represents the lead motif for see the film who is not exactly a correct adaptation of the book of Samuel, but a precise exploration of vulnerabilities of power, sin and responsability. David of Peck is not the hero or the statue. and the fine manner to present a fascinating portrait of a relation who seems so familiar is one of the great virtues of Henry King.

While a slew of biblical films came out of the 1950s, the universal favorites are Ben-Hur and The Ten Commandments. Even though two powerhouse actors star in the film adaptation of King David's story and it was really successful at the time, David and Bathsheba might not be one you'll want to watch every year. It's just a little corny, dated, and over-the-top in a bad way. It could have easily starred Victor Mature, and then no one would have ever remembered this movie was even made.Gregory Peck stars as King David, a man with many wives and the love of his people, but is still unsatisfied. Will rejoining his troops on the front lines of battle restore his old passions, or does he just need the love of a good woman to make him feel alive? As he ponders this one evening, he walks out on his balcony and sees Susan Hayward taking a bath in her house—with the windows open. I guess that answers that question.To me, the most memorable aspect about this movie is what it was able to sneak past the Hays Code. The kisses were longer than three seconds, there were blatant discussions about sex, and in one scene, both leads are lying down and Gregory Peck covers her body with his own as he kisses her! All these steamy elements were violations of the Hollywood censorship code, and I'm pretty amazed that this movie was released with a seal of approval.So, even though Gregory Peck is handsome and Susan Hayward is beautiful, this isn't my favorite of either of their films. Susan Hayward is one of my all-time favorite actresses, but I was forced to focus on how fantastic she looked to spare any criticism of her overpowering Brooklyn accent and the mediocre quality of the rest of the movie.

Unlike the classic biblical masterpieces of Technicolor days, "The Ten Commandments", "Samson and Delilah", "Sodom and Gomorrah", etc, this biblical film is not about the power and wrath of God. Instead, it's a very intimate story of a man's fall from grace and how he tries to find it again.While it can be approached literally as the story of King David's sins which brought drought, death and pestilence upon Israel, it is truly a secular story of a man who has lost his boyhood innocence. The power of the film rests in Gregory Peck's hypnotizing performance toward the end when, having hit rock bottom, he must answer for his life.Whatever religion you subscribe to, or none at all, this is such a powerful human theme because inevitably we all lose our way. Peck plays King David as a sort of religious skeptic, always investigating the scientific explanation behind supposedly supernatural events. And that diffuses the "biblical" aspect of the film so that we may enjoy it on any level.ABOUT THE PLOT... If you've studied the Bible, then you probably know the story and how it turns out. But if you're totally ignorant of the tale like I was, then I guarantee you'll have a great time. The suspense of not knowing how this volatile situation will play out is breathtaking. With that in mind, I won't say a thing about the plot, and I suggest you avoid any discussion of it. All you need to know is it's about 2 people named David and Bathsheba.About acting, technique and music. Very nice with only 1 minor complaint. In keeping with the times (1951) this can be a melodramatic film, and by that I point the finger at the music. Certain powerful, dramatic scenes are made a little syrupy with the characteristic lush Hollywood symphonic music of the Technicolor age. However, there are a few amazing scenes where Gregory Peck delivers his monologues in absolute silence, with a tight, stationary camera on his face, and those are the aforementioned scenes that are so strong they'll bring a tear to your eye.Directed by Henry King who, despite his masterpieces, never won an academy award in his 50 year career, "David and Bathsheba" is so impressive it makes me want to immediately run to the video store and check out his other films, particularly those he made with his favorite leading man Gregory Peck ("Twelve O'Clock High", "Snows of Kilimanjaro", etc). Susan Hayward did a great job, too. But this is really Peck's film, and King wasn't shy about using Peck to the fullest. Don't hesitate to see this film if you ever get the chance.

I'm surprised this film doesn't get more recognition. Possibly the best of the old classic bible films. Excellent cinematography and effects considering it was filmed in 1951. Gregory Peck is believable and excellent as King David. The dialogue is a bit trite at times, but still generally strong. Susan Hayward is beautiful and solid in her role as Bathsheba, and Raymond Massey is a delight as Nathan. A bit plodding at times, but an engaging telling of one of the most famous stories of all time. The scenes of David playing the harp while reciting the 23rd Psalm and the David and Goliath scene must have a challenge to put on film, but they are amazingly well done. A moving story, a classic movie.