David
From SPARK
One-sentence summary
A dramatic movie of the life of David, with some good representations of Scripture but a number of inaccuracies (182 min.).
Description
From DVD Cover
David, poet and musician. The simple shepherd chosen by God. The boy who defeated the giant Goliath and the man who defeated great armies. David, King of Israel.
Leonard Nimoy and Jonathan Pryce lead a talented cast in this vivid retelling of one of the Bible’s most powerful stories. Brave warrior David (Nathaniel Parker) leads his troops in battle against Israel’s enemies and, tragically, against his own son. The film’s human dimension is as vital as the combat: David’s rivalry with King Saul, his bond of friendship with Jonathan, and his illicit passion for the beautiful (and married) Bathsheba (Sheryl Lee) fill the screen with emotion. When David begs to know why he must suffer, the answer comes: “Perhaps it is those who God loves the most….that he punishes the most severely.””
Considerations
The film was well done in regard to acting, cultural settings, sound, etc. Scripture is quoted often throughout the film. A good number of Psalms are quoted as David is speaking or thinking. Saul’s disobedience and consequent punishment from God was clearly seen, as was David’s punishment for his affair with Bathsheba and arranging for her husband Uriah to be killed. The Lord’s prophets, Samuel and Nathan, are portrayed very well.
Limitations
There are a number of Biblical inaccuracies in the film such as: David being anointed as king by Samuel when they were alone in the desert (1 Samuel 16:13 says his brothers were present); David kills Goliath with only two onlookers (I Samuel 17 says the two armies were lined up for battle when it happened); in I Samuel 19 when Michal, Saul’s daughter, married David, she helped David get away from the men Saul sent to kill him by putting an idol in David’s place in the bed to fool them (the film had her maid servant in the bed and the men killed her). The character of Saul was played by a middle-aged, short, balding man, whereas in 1 Samuel 9 he is described as being an impressive young man a head taller than any other. The film shows Abigail telling her drunk husband Nabal that he is about to die (from poison she supposedly gave him). 1 Samuel 25 says that the next morning after he was sober, she told Nabal how she prevented David from killing all the men in Nabal’s household by giving food to him and his men the day before. Ten days later the Lord caused him to die. The circumstances around the Amalekites attacking Ziklag and taking captive the wives and families of David and his men are not portrayed accurately. Also, the way in which Uriah was killed was not according to scripture.
There were many scenes of violent killing throughout the film. The scenes of Saul and the Witch of Endor were quite vivid and scary - maybe too vivid for an audience familiar with sorcery and witch doctors. Much time and elaboration was given to the story of David, Bathsheba, and Uriah and also the story of Tamar, who was raped by Amnon, who was then killed by Absalom her brother in revenge. There were two scenes where David danced – one at his wedding to Michal and one more before the ark and the people. The second scene could be objectionable, as that is where he takes off his shirt and dances in a rather erotic style.
Guidelines for Use
Where to Obtain
Link to Producer or Source Organization
Cost
$84.95 for the set of 10 movies from ChristianCinema.com; $47.99 from Amazon.com
Producer/Owners
Author/Artist/Producer
TNT (Turner Network Television), a LUBE Production in association with LUX VIDE BETAFILM and RAI UNO ‘DAVID
Current copyright owner
1997 TNT Originals, Inc.
Other Information
Reviewed by
VMS Staff: Helen M.
Date
October 2007
