Samson And Delilah (Domestic)

Movie came on time and was clear, well wrapped and excellent quality.

My husband has enjoyed watching this movie ever-so-often. Thank you for help in making it available for your patrons.

In the history of filmmaking, no other director handled the genre of religious epics with more panache and reverence than Cecil B. DeMille. Yet, in his entire celebrated career the director made only six such movies: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1923), KING OF KINGS (1927), THE SIGN OF THE CROSS (1932), THE CRUSADES (1935), SAMSON AND DELILAH (1949), and his own remake of THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956). The fifth film in DeMille's religious canon is his most passionate, and its style and structure was responsible for inspiring the highly successful Italian sword and sandal sub-genre a decade later. From the moment that scroll unfurls introducing the opening title - CECIL B. DEMILLE'S SAMSON AND DELILAH - you know you're going to be in for a thoroughly satisfying viewing experience. Offering rip-roaring action, colorful spectacle, and sensual romance all presented in an engaging storytelling manner, this is a masterpiece of the kind only DeMille could make. The picture manages to stay quite faithful to the Bible account in Judges 13-16, with only a few instances where Jesse L. Lasky, Jr. and Fredric M. Frank's script takes dramatic license. For instance, the film depicts Samson's bride and Delilah as sisters whereas the Bible doesn't substantiate such a relationship between them. Also, in the movie Samson is blinded by a red-hot blade held close to his eyes, while in the actual account they're bored out of their sockets. Aside from these textual deviations the film is a largely accurate, vivid dramatization of the most famous romantic betrayal in recorded history. Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr flesh out definitive portrayals in the lead roles; Mature is beefy and totally at ease playing the straying strongman whose weakness is women, and Lamarr is the epitome of the beautiful seductress who betrays him. The two actors are so well-suited in the leads that it's difficult to imagine someone else in their place. The supporting players are also top-notch: George Sanders is superb as the cynical Saran who has both envy and respect for Samson, Angela Lansbury plays Samson's fickle bride-to-be Semadar, and Henry Wilcoxon makes a strong impression as Samson's jealous rival, Ahtur. The production values of SAMSON AND DELILAH are of the highest quality by 1949 standards, and the film won deserved Oscars for Hans Dreier and Walter Tyler's art direction, Sam Comer and Ray Moyer's set decoration and Edith Head's costumes. Gordon Jennings' special effects department created some spectacular visuals, which still pass muster today. The big climax set in the Philistine Temple of Dagon is a triumph of convincing miniature high-speed photography and integrated live action. George Barnes' Technicolor cinematogaphy is lush and artfully lit, reminiscent of the paintings by Rembrandt and Vermeer. I'd be amiss if I didn't give high praise for Victor Young's fabulous music score which, in my opinion, is one of the finest ever written for a Hollywood film. Everything about this DeMille extravaganza is done with an expertise and a showmanship that defined an era of great cinematic entertainment. Paramount Home Video has finally released SAMSON AND DELILAH on DVD and Blu-ray in meticulously restored condition, and it looks and sounds terrific - as good as it must've been on its initial release. Both editions contain Victor Young's overture and exit music. Menu options include scene selections, optional mono audio tracks in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese with corresponding subtitles. The sole extra is the original theatrical trailer available only on the Blu-ray. Something many people today forget is that Cecil B. DeMille was one of the founding fathers of America's film industry. He made movies that were enormously popular because he had an innate understanding of what the public wanted as well as the creative ability to deliver it. SAMSON AND DELILAH demonstrates that inimitable DeMille touch to the fullest degree. My highest recommendation.

Great Biblical movie about love and betrayal.

This is the theatrical account of the Biblical story of the man named Samson, a Danite from the Israelite tribe of Dan, and for 40 years the Philistines had held his people in bondage. Samson's calling from birth was to begin the deliverance of Israel from Philistine oppression. When Samson fell for Delilah, a woman from the Valley of Sorek, it marked the beginning of his downfall and eventual demise. It didn't take long for the rich and powerful Philistine rulers to learn of the affair and immediately pay a visit to Delilah. Samson was judge over Israel at the time and had been taking out great vengeance on the Philistines. Hoping to capture him, the Philistine leaders each offered Delilah a sum of money to collaborate with them in a scheme to uncover the secret of Samson's great strength. Using her powers of seduction and deception, Delilah persistently wore down Samson with her repeated requests, until he finally divulged this solemn promise of secrecy. Having taken the Nazirite vow at birth, Samson had been set apart to God. As part of that vow, his hair was never to be cut. When Samson told Delilah that his strength would leave him if a razor were to be used on his head, she cunningly crafted her plan with the Philistine rulers. While Samson slept on her lap, Delilah called in a co-conspirator to shave off the seven braids of his locks. Subdued and weak, Samson was captured. Samson was never to tell anyone the secret of his strength was his locks. When he told her the secret he was renouncing his God, who then punishes him by delivering him to his enemies. Spiritually, Samson lost sight of his calling from God and gave up his greatest gift, his amazing physical strength, to please the woman who had captured his affections. Now that Samson is their prisoner, they feel they can do whatever they want to him. Rather than killing him, the Philistines preferred to humiliate him by blinding him of eyesight, and subjecting him to hard labor in a Gaza prison. As he slaved at grinding grain, his hair began to grow again, but the careless Philistines paid no attention. And in spite of his horrible failures and sins of great consequence, Samson's heart now turned to the Lord. He was humbled, he prayed and God answered. During a pagan sacrificial ritual, the Philistines had gathered in Gaza to celebrate. As was their custom, they paraded their prized enemy prisoner into the temple to entertain the jeering crowds. Samson braced himself between the two central support pillars of the temple and pushed with all his might. Down came the temple, killing Samson and all of the people in it. Through his death, Samson destroyed more of his enemies in this one sacrificial act, than he had previously killed in all the battles of his life. It's interesting to know that actor Hedi Lamarr, who portrayed Delilah; ended up going completely blind herself before she died. This movie was always a classic for me, and I had to have a copy. I took away a star because the DVD copy was blurry throughout the movie. I felt they could have done more to restore this video to it's original rich display, comparable with the restoration of the 10 Commandments Blu-ray edition. Update: In late December of 2014, I was able to purchase Samson and Delilah on Blu-ray. This film is much more pleasant to watch, as a result of this movie being totally restored. The definition is crystal clear, and comparable with the superb video restoration of the Ten Commandments. I am very happy with this new upgraded copy and now give it five stars.

Loves it good quality can watch when wanted

Old time favorite

Good for the entire family. No bad language.

Blu-ray com Áudio e Legendas PT-BR

旧約聖書に誠実でした。

Enjoyed it them and still enjoyed now

Arrived quickly and very happy!-this film is a classic and so I was looking forward to getting it on bluray,the picture quality is fantastic and totally remastered!-the best its ever looked. The bluray disc is REGION FREE and plays on UK bluray players no problem..My only 'gripe' about this bluray is the fact its 4:3 ratio and not widescreen.. I 100% recommend this bluray to fans of this film,its never looked so good as it does on bluray.

Classic movie bought for a classic lady - great quality that was transferred over the years. We made a senior citizen very happy.