King David (1985) on Netflix
PG-1319851h 54mAdventureBiographyDrama
King Saul rules Israel, but the prophet Samuel anoints David, youngest of Jesse's sons, as the next king. When the Philistine champion Goliath challenges Saul's army, David steps forward.
- Netflix3.6/5
- IMDb5.3/102,791 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes8%
Trailer
Plot summary
Israel, around 1000 B.C. King Saul has broken his covenant with God by failing to destroy the Amalekites, and the prophet Samuel declares that Israel will need another king. Samuel anoints David, the youngest of Jesse's sons, though David asks that God tell him directly instead. Prophets speak for God, and a king needs their blessing before taking any major action. While the war with the Philistines is costly and Saul's army is far outnumbered, Saul sends for David, following the instructions Samuel left at his death. The Philistines then bring out their champion, the giant Goliath, and David volunteers to face him.
Cast
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about King David (1985)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- Beresford wanted American actors for a contemporary feel, and the producer said he personally chose Richard Gere for the lead; but a later report said Beresford wanted an unknown and Gere was forced upon him.
- King David was originally going to be shot in Israel, but that was dropped as impractical because Israel had no buildings older than the Roman Empire; after Morocco and Tunisia were considered, the production settled on Italy.
- On King David, both director Bruce Beresford and star Richard Gere came down with viruses, extras went on strike for more pay, and the script being shot was the ninth draft.
- Beresford wanted Jack Thompson to play King Saul, but the producers overruled him and wanted Sean Connery; Connery asked for too much money, so Edward Woodward was cast instead.
- Filming with 2,000 extras, it suddenly began to snow, and Beresford said there was no saying he could not shoot in it, because the people could not be got back again.
- In 1978 Michael Eisner of Paramount said he wanted the studio to make a Biblical film, and it chose the King David script; according to writer Andrew Birkin, the studio was attracted by its parallels to Star Wars, with David as Luke Skywalker and Samuel as Obi-Wan Kenobi.
