Gregory Peck in "David and Bathsheba" (1951)

King David ben Jesse (Gregory Peck), the second king of Israel, returns to Jerusalem after a military victory over the Philistines. En route, a cart bearing the Ark of the Covenant hits a rut and threatens to capsize. Uzzah, a captain in David's own army, reaches out to prevent the Ark from falling to the ground. He abruptly dies. While the prophet Nathan declares this the will of God, a skeptical David pronounces it the result of heat-stroke combined with too much wine. David becomes attracted to Bathsheba (Susan Hayward), the wife of Uriah the Hittite (Kieron Moore), another captain in David's army.
The attraction is mutual, although both know an affair would break the law of Moses. When Bathsheba discovers she is pregnant from the affair, David sends for Uriah, hoping the Hittite captain will spend time with his wife and thus cover her pregnancy. David's wife Michal (Jayne Meadows), who knows of the affair, tells David that Uriah did not go home. He slept at the castle, as a sign of loyalty to his king. The frustrated David orders Uriah to be placed on the front line, and for his own troops to withdraw, thus leaving Uriah to die, which he does. David sends a dispatch to tell Bathsheba of her husband's death, and the two plan their marriage.
Nathan informs David that the Israelites are dissatisfied with his leadership. They want David's sons to rule. Nathan goes on to mention that David has forgotten his role as a servant of the Lord. Shortly after David marries Bathsheba, a drought hits Israel and the couple's newborn child dies. Nathan returns to tell David that God is displeased with him. However, he will not die as the law demands, but will be punished through misfortune in his family. David takes full responsibility, insisting Bathsheba is blameless, but the people still want her killed. David plans to save Bathsheba, but she tells David they are both equally at fault.
David is reminded of the Lord and quotes Psalm 23 as he plays his harp. David tells Bathsheba she will not die. He accepts God's justice for himself. A repentant David, seeking relief from the drought as well as forgiveness, enters the Holy of Holies. He begs God not to punish Israel for sins which their king alone committed. David touches the Ark as a suicide attempt. There is a clap of thunder, followed by flashbacks to David's youth, depicting his anointing by Samuel, his battle with Goliath, and the like.
King David removes his hands from the Ark. Outside, rain falls on the dry land.
A 1951 American Technicolor epic film directed by Henry King, produced by Darryl F. Zanuck, screenplay by Philip Dunne, based on the Second Book of Samuel, cinematography by Leon Shamroy, starring Gregory Peck, Susan Hayward, Raymond Massey, Kieron Moore, James Robertson Justice, Jayne Meadows, John Sutton, Dennis Hoey, and Francis X. Bushman. Goliath is portrayed by 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) Lithuanian wrestler Walter Talun. Released by 20th Century-Fox.
Nominated for five Academy Awards: Best Art Direction - Color, Best Cinematography - Color, Best Costume Design - Color, Best Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture, and Best Story and Screenplay,
While Twentieth Century-Fox owned the rights to the 1943 book David written by Duff Cooper, the film was not based on that book. Darryl F. Zanuck had owned the rights to a Broadway play, "Bathsheba" (1947). After the success of Cecil B. DeMille's "Samson and Delilah" (1949) for Paramount Pictures, Zanuck commissioned Philip Dunne to write a script based on King David. Dunne's original concept was for a film that would encompass David's life in three main chapters: David as a boy fighting Goliath; a more mature David and his friendship with Jonathan ending with his affair with Bathsheba; and an older David and his relationship with his son Absalom. Dunne estimated that his treatment would make a four-hour film, but Zanuck was not enthusiastic. Dunne then pitched the idea of a film solely based on David and Bathsheba, which Zanuck loved. Dunne conceived the story as a modern play exploring the corruption of absolute power. The film is noticeably devoid of the epic battles and panoramas frequently seen in biblical movies. Zanuck opted to use stars already under contract with Twentieth Century-Fox.
By giving Bathsheba a more active role, it reflects tensions and questions about gender identity in America in the aftermath of World War II, when women had entered the work force in large numbers and experienced a greater degree of independence and economic self-sufficiency.
The film was banned in Singapore as the country's censorship board were troubled by the unflattering portrait of David, an important prophet in Islam, as a hedonist susceptible to sexual overtures.
Variety wrote, "This is a big picture in every respect. It has scope, pageantry, sex (for all its Biblical background), cast names, color-everything. It's a surefire boxoffice entry, one of the really 'big' pictures of the new selling season."

[@lindarobinson2895]

Gregory Peck was one of my favorite actors while growing up, his grandson Ethan has that same quality as well.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Thanks for sharing. Welcome.

[@catherinemoore2188]

I was completely engulfed in this movie!! Excellent!!! Thank you Jesus ❤

[@HollywoodFan21]

Gregory Peck has an outstanding performance of King David role.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Roger that. Welcome.

[@celydolot2530]

It's a beautiful movie to watch. Thank you.

[@virginiastevens3782]

Lovely story of love , faith and the loosing of Gods love. But through Devine prayer Love shines through again and gives hope and the Glory back too God. Thank you wonderful movie. ❤️🇬🇧🙏

[@MaribelGuevara-sx4gu]

ok

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you think so. Welcome.

[@hemantdevkar6036]

Very nice movie... It's so old but seems fresh... Gregory Peck is wonderful...

[@dtaylor939]

Thank you for posting this lovely film, Donald.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

You are most welcome.

[@TheHopeofIsraelWorldwide]

Great movie so glad that Hope of Israel Worldwide Church of God Elder Terry gave me this link.

[@dorocaruso754]

What a Wow! movie with superb actors and storyline, Thanks for posting it. You made my Sabbath!

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you enjoyed it! Welcome.

[@ludmilalabagnoy3062]

I never knew the kind of person Bathsheba really was. A beautiful story of God's mercy and love towards sinners

[@marygraceborg1606]

Great movie, great actors, loved watching it.

[@doug3819]

Watching tonight. Much better than the actors and actresses today !

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you like it. Welcome.

[@Hondo0101]

This was very good. It shows God wants to show mercy not receive sacrifice.

[@SeeNoEvil777]

Talk about changing the story!

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Thanks for watching.

[@ronniebaker7782]

Wow this movie helped me to understand this story much clearer than I did before

[@lindaname9413]

Oh, please read the book. This is a story from Hollywood.

[@ronniebaker7782]

@@lindaname9413 I’m sure you’re right Hollywood has never gotten anything, right

[@marioceretti7328]

Italiàno

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad to hear that. Welcome.

[@tracycameron5099]

Thank you!

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Welcome!

[@rioalcones9136]

stil watching 2024 🎉👏

[@704JOE]

HELLLLLLL YEA

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Thanks for watching. Welcome.

[@ludmilalabagnoy3062]

There should be more films based on the Bible that should be watched. DAVID's prayers are so touching . "Let the boy live again..."

[@kimhewitt921]

Great stuff! Thank you👍

[@davidguilbertrozenman5025]

They should have told Gregory Peck that the name of King David's first wife was Michal, because he has pronounced Michael.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Welcome.

[@sophiezibi6056]

He is a gentleman with women and a great King!

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Thanks for the visit!

[@tmo.48]

Thank you❤

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Welcome 😊

[@user-vg7jc7hy6z]

Golden yrs well made such ability is remarkable

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Roger that. Welcome.

[@youlamatou]

Gregory Peck is very handsome here.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Roger that. Welcome.

[@lucybirot5623]

Thank you posting this film which clarified the story of David for me --- which shows that sometimes Hollywood does not obfuscate events but actually throws light on them. I enjoyed this film even though the wonderful Gregory Peck did not seem an obvious choice to play a biblical personage. ♥

[@michaelryan2562]

It’s not the factual bible story it’s been altered to fool some people don’t be one of the fooled by.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Welcome.

[@youtubeschoolworld]

Thanks

[@appymichael9099]

Beautiful Film Amen 🙏

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you think so. Welcome.

[@jeanneamato8278]

The Star of David on David’s shirt wasn’t around in his era. It’s 15th century or maybe later.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Good point. Thanks for watching.

[@alphafemale23.]

I love a good love story

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you like it. Welcome.

[@chopincam-robertpark6857]

Great stuff

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Glad you think so. Welcome.

[@hydrotilling7043]

Love ❤️ you friend 😊

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

You're the best!

[@issac6803]

I think the star behind the king is that of his son Solomon as it is interwoven & king David star was inlaid. If memory serves

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Thanks for watching.

[@jennifermorris5884]

Beautifully done; excellent performances, costumes, etc. I always love Gregory Peck's performances. However, it definitely paints David & Bathsheba in a far more noble light than truth. And the punishment was not as one sided as this shows. The punishment for adultery was death for BOTH the adulterer and the adulteress (Leviticus 20:10-12). David's sin caused a long line of consequences, particularly because he tried to hide the sin. God forgave them and they didn't die, but they had to live with the consequences. Still, an entertaining and well done picture. Just read scripture to get the full picture. 😉

[@jennifermorris5884]

Also, every king of Israel was commanded by the Lord to write out the first five books of Moses (Torah or Pentateuch) when becoming king & read the rest of his life. (Deuteronomy 17:14-20) David would have been trained in Scripture. 🥰

[@lindaname9413]

That is why the Temple was not built by David. There was blood on his hands and the sword would not depart from his house. It was Solomon who was allowed to build the Temple.

[@jennifermorris5884]

@@lindaname9413 Exactly! Although David would never have gone into the Holy of Holies or touched the Ark of the Covenant, I do think the movie shows an accurate portrayal of David's heart when he repents. The prayer is beautiful!

[@tulayamalavenapi4028]

Too bad good God fearing persons read in an exclusive mind set. The beautiful Vedic wisdom of Bhagavad Gita (Song of God) has all the teachings of the Bible and it includes more on top of those teachings. Vedas say women are never to be punished. I would take that to mean not stoned to death in such a truly barbaric way. Bhagavad-gita is more than 5000 years old and intact, because the Sanskrit language is not subjected to degradation. I was born in a Christian family, and never heard that God accepted stoning women to death. 😢

[@PauloPereira-jj4jv]

​@@tulayamalavenapi4028... YOU haven't heard, but that WAS the law.

[@jerrywilliams5235]

The story is not keeping with the word of God,still a good movie.

[@user-wu9jc1ro3d]

สีสวยมากน่าเสียดายไม่มีคำบรรยาย

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Sorry, and thanks for the visit!

[@capoislamort100]

The movie is ok, It would’ve been much more epic had Cecil B Demille directed it. He knows how to make a spectacle with any story.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Great idea. Thanks for watching.

[@louissundapan328]

Pls play move movie related with type of movie

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

I posted: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnfFqqqwm8qgjJY & kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5jFhGeufLh1l7s

[@garryderish2465]

Susan Hayward was one gorgeous lady , and a fine actress, don't make them like that anymore

[@enminghee2926]

@15:53 "Your faith was strong but you needed proof, you saw her bathing on the roof, her beauty in the moonlight overthrew ya..."

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Hallelujah. Welcome.

[@brucesegerdahl7892]

It's just a movie take it easy 😂

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Thanks for the visit!

[@user-kh4wm4hc6c]

이 영화전에 "솔로몬과 시바의 여왕" 이 있었죠. 율 브리너&지나 롤로브리지다.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Thanks for the visit!

[@dennispeltier6142]

😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@benjaminsorel8998]

😅

[@ahmetakgul2753]

türce dilinde seyretmek

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Sorry, and thanks for the visit!

[@mhenry4248]

Gee, I didn’t know the people wore fingernail polish 3000 years ago 27:23

[@capoislamort100]

Not only that, there were no camels 🐫 at the time of king David.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Thanks for the visit!

[@mhenry4248]

@@DonaldPBorchersOG always enjoy the movies you post. Thanks so much!

[@serfardi]

David sin, and that's all in a nut shell.❤

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Ha! Thanks for the visit!

[@Neil-ru7kw]

Hogwash

[@PhilipShawn]

Expedience

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Thanks for the visit!

[@Kirkee7]

Hollywood licence as usual. David was never sceptical about the GOD he worshipped. This is a very poor rendering of the reality.

zanuck and total rubbish

[@lawsonj39]

Not sure what your criteria are. I'm a total nonbeliever, but I find the script and acting compelling. Very successful in keeping me engaged with the story.

[@DonaldPBorchersOG]

Thanks for sharing your opinion, and for the visit!