Samson and Delilah (1984 film)
Samson and Delilah | |
---|---|
dvd cover | |
Genre |
Adventure Fantasy Action |
Written by |
Eric Linkletter (Book) John Gay |
Directed by | Lee Philips |
Starring |
Max von Sydow Belinda Bauer Antony Hamilton Daniel Stern Victor Mature |
Music by | Maurice Jarre |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language(s) | English |
Production | |
Executive producer(s) | Gregory Harrison |
Producer(s) | Franklin R. Levy |
Cinematography | Gerry Fisher |
Editor(s) | George Jay Nicholson |
Running time | 95 mins. |
Production company(s) | Catalina Productions |
Distributor | ABC |
Release | |
Original network | ABC |
Original release | April 1, 1984 |
Samson and Delilah is a 1984 television movie adaptation of the biblical story of Samson and Delilah, starring Max von Sydow, Belinda Bauer, Antony Hamilton, Daniel Stern and Victor Mature. Mature played Samson in the 1949 film and had a small cameo as the father of Antony Hamilton's Samson. This was his final acting role. Based on the novel Husband of Delilah by Eric Linkletter, Samson and Delilah originally aired on ABC.
Plot
Mostly the same as the original biblical story, but with notable differences such as, once again, the expanded role of Delilah (Bauer), the introduction of the garrison commander (Stern) who is friends with Samson (Hamilton), more focus upon Samson's relationship with his first wife, a different handling of the 30 garments bet, and, perhaps the most crucial alteration is to the climax. In the original story, maintained in the 1949 film and the 1996 TV remake, is that Samson only regains his strength after his hair has grown long again, thus allowing him to tear down the Philistine temple. Here, however, Samson is taken to the Philistine temple just after his hair has been cut short, and he prays to God to restore his immense strength despite his short hair, and God complies, allowing Samson enough strength to tear down the stone pillars, thus destroying the temple.
Unlike the 1949 and 1996 adaptations, Delilah survives to mourn Samson alongside his followers.
Cast
- Antony Hamilton.....Samson
- Belinda Bauer.....Delilah
- Angélica Aragón.....Nija
- David Byrd.....Elon
- David S. Eisner.....Arin
- José Ferrer.....The High Priest
- Jennifer Holmes.....Varinia
- Stephen Macht.....Maluck
- Victor Mature.....Manoah
- Clive Revill.....Raul
- Rene Ruis.....The Temple Man
- Maria Schell.....Deborah
- Brandon Scott.....The Magician
- Daniel Stern.....Micah
- Max von Sydow.....Sidka
Production
Mature says he told the producer "I'll play Samson's mother if the price is right."[1]
Award nominations
Year | Award | Result | Category | Recipient |
---|---|---|---|---|
1984 | Emmy Award | Nominated | Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling | Jan Van Uchelen |
1985 | BAFTA Award | Best Short Film | Mark Peploe |
References
- ↑ CRITIC AT LARGE: MATURE STILL HAS A HUNK OF A TIME Champlin, Charles. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 29 Mar 1984: m1