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King David

King David

Movie · 1985 · 3 people

Bruce Beresford directed King David, a Biblical epic of 1985 made by American and British producers, which follows the Hebrew Bible's account of the life of David, second king of the Kingdom of Israel. Paramount released the roughly 114-minute film in the United States on March 29, 1985; other countries saw it in 1986 and 1987.

The story opens with David, a young shepherd, chosen as king by the prophet Samuel. His victory over the giant warrior Goliath, his increasingly strained relationship with King Saul, his passion for Bathsheba after taking the throne, and the revolt of his son Absalom form the main links of the narrative. It rests largely on the books of Samuel and is set around Jerusalem. Richard Gere plays David. The ensemble includes Edward Woodward, Alice Krige, Denis Quilley, Cherie Lunghi, Hurd Hatfield, John Castle, Jean-Marc Barr and Gina Bellman; George Eastman and Ayşe Nene appear in cast listings as well.

Andrew Birkin and James Costigan wrote the screenplay, and Carl Davis composed the score. Reviews were mostly negative, citing the writing, the pace, some performances and the action sequences, though Gere's performance and the cinematography drew praise. Grossing $5.9 million worldwide against a $21 million budget, it failed commercially too. Beresford later voiced his dissatisfaction with the screenplay.

DirectorBruce Beresford
Production companyParamount Pictures Corporation
King David

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Cast

Only cast members with a profile on this site are listed.

Jean-Marc Barr Jean-Marc Barr Actor · 66 years old Ayşe Nene Actor · died at 77 George Eastman George Eastman Actor · died at 83

Through different eyes

Cinephile Looks at script, editing and directing choices; keeps a distance from formula films.

Bruce Beresford tries to turn David's life into a broad, serious-minded epic, but squeezing a whole life into about 114 minutes, from Goliath and the souring bond with Saul to the passion for Bathsheba and Absalom's revolt, reduces the story to a string of chapter headings. The negative reviews of its script and pacing are understandable: dramatic turning points pass before they can deepen. Even so, Richard Gere tries to carry the role through its inner conflicts, and the cinematography is genuinely impressive. Earning 5.9 million dollars against a 21-million budget shows the film failed to connect with audiences as well. Beresford's later dissatisfaction with the script points straight at the root of the problem.

Family Viewer Asks whether the whole household can watch it; cares about humour and heart.

King David tells the life of David from the Bible. A young shepherd defeating the giant Goliath is a story that will catch children's interest too. But the film is more than that: there's a passion for Bathsheba and a son's revolt against his father. These themes aren't really for little ones. It works for teenagers and for grown-ups curious about religious history. The pace drags in places too.

Action & Thriller Fan Puts pace, tension and set pieces first; little patience for slow drama.

Facing Goliath, the road to the throne, a son's rebellion... on paper it's an epic action feast. But King David barely uses that potential; even critics panned its action scenes, and it's easy to feel why. Most of the film moves through long talks and palace drama. Richard Gere does a good job and the images look great, but your pulse hardly rises.

These are not reader reviews: they are short editorial takes written from different viewer perspectives with AI assistance. Reader reviews are below.

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