Esther and the King
Esther and the King | |
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Directed by |
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Screenplay by |
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Based on | Book of Esther |
Produced by | Raoul Walsh |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Mario Bava |
Edited by | Jerry Webb |
Music by | |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | 20th Century-Fox |
Release date |
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Running time | 109 minutes |
Countries | |
Language | English |
Esther and the King (
An
Plot
In
Cast
The film's on-screen credits list the cast in the following order and sections:
- Starring
- With
- Denis O'Dea as Mordecai
- Sergio Fantoni as Haman
- Rik Battaglia (as Rick Battaglia) as Simon
- Renato Baldini as Klydrathes
- Gabriele Tinti as Samuel
- Rosalba Neri as Zeresh
- Walter Williams (as Robert Buchanan) as Hegai[3]
- Also starring
- Daniela Rocca as Vashti
- Folco Lulli as Tobiah
Production
In December 1950, 20th Century-Fox studio executive Darryl F. Zanuck announced his intention to produce The Story of Esther as a follow-up to David and Bathsheba, which he was producing at the time.[4] He entrusted Frank and Doris Hursley with the task of writing the screenplay.[5] George Jessel expressed interest in producing the film.[5]
In February 1951, Henry King was assigned to direct the film. In October, producers Joseph Bernhard and Anson Bond purchased the script from the Hursleys and were planning the film as a 20th Century-Fox release.[5]
In February 1952, Hedy Lamarr bought the Hursley script for $25,000; Arthur B. Krim of United Artists negotiated the deal for her.[6] Lamarr wanted to portray Esther and produce the story as an independent feature and United Artists release, with the possibility of filming it in Italy.[6] She eventually decided to produce it in Rome as the first episode of a British television series titled The Great Love Stories, but the project changed and the story was not filmed.[7]
The 1960 Writers Guild of America strike, which began in January, forced 20th Century-Fox to cease production temporarily.[8] Fox president Spyros Skouras and producer Buddy Adler asked director Raoul Walsh if he could "make a film very quickly for them, because they had nothing at all, the studios were practically shut. That's why we made Esther in Italy."[8]
Release
Esther and the King premiered in New York City at the RKO Palace Theatre on November 18, 1960.[9][10]
The film grossed 126% and was considered a hit film of the 1960-61 season.[11]
Critical response
James D. Ivers, writing for Motion Picture Daily, was enthusiastically positive: "All the trappings of a Biblical spectacle, exotic sets and costumes, a moving and dramatic story, and the skilled and experienced hand of Raoul Walsh make this a worthy and potentially successful entry in the present cycle of historical epics."[12] Ivers also commended the performances of the leading actors: "Joan Collins plays Esther with beauty and some depth, Richard Egan is properly virile as a soldierly but unstatesmanlike King Ahasuerus, and Denis O'Dea is dignified and devout as Mordecai."[12] The supporting actors who earned notice were a "satisfactory" Rik Battaglia, a "sufficiently menacing" Sergio Fantoni and a "somewhat overly voluptuous" Daniela Rocca.[12] Ivers also admired the technical aspects of the film: "Color by DeLuxe and excellent camera work by Mario Bava give an eye-filling background to the straightforward story."[12]
Some critics disliked the film. Bosley Crowther of The New York Times wrote that the "beautiful Bible story of Esther" had "been thumped into a crude costume charade."[10] Harrison's Reports found that the film "has a hackneyed script and two incompetent lead players [Collins and Egan]," but it praised O'Dea's portrayal of Mordecai.[13]
In recent years, Rosalba Neri's performance has been evaluated as "memorable."[14]
Home media
In 2014,
References
- ^ Mario Bava: All the Colors of the Dark by Tim Lucas, Published by Video Watchdog
- ^ Plot Synopsis by Eleanor Mannikka from allmovie.com website
- ^ Lucas 2013, p. 341.
- ^ "Studio Size-Ups: 20th Century Fox - Zanuck Announces Busy Work Plan For New Year". Film Bulletin: 26. December 18, 1950.
- ^ a b c "Esther and the King - Notes". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
- ^ a b "Hedy Another Indie Set at UA as Krim Negotiates Story Buy". Variety. 185 (11): 5. February 20, 1952.
- ISBN 9781429908207.
- ^ a b Moss 2011, p. 374.
- ^ "RKO Palace To Open 'Esther' on Nov. 18". Motion Picture Daily. 88 (71): 2. October 11, 1960.
- ^ a b Crowther, Bosley (November 19, 1960). "Screen: Costume Charade:' Esther and the King' Is New Film at Palace". The New York Times. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
- ^ "Grosses: The Hits of '60-'61". Boxoffice Barometer: 31. March 26, 1962.
- ^ a b c d Ivers, James D. (November 21, 1960). "Review: Esther and the King". Motion Picture Daily. 88 (97): 6.
- ^ ""Esther and the King" with Joan Collins, Richard Egan and Denis O'Dea". Harrison's Reports. XLII (48): 190. November 26, 1960. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
- ^ Hughes 2011, p. 69.
- ^ "Esther and the King DVD". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved November 10, 2018.
Bibliography
- Hughes, Howard (2011). Cinema Italiano - The Complete Guide From Classics To Cult. London - New York: I.B.Tauris. ISBN 978-1-84885-608-0.
- ISBN 978-0-9633756-1-2.
- Moss, Marilyn Ann (2011). Raoul Walsh: The True Adventures of Hollywood's Legendary Director. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 9780813133942.
External links
- Esther and the King at IMDb
- Esther and the King is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive
- Esther and the King at AllMovie
- Esther and the King at the TCM Movie Database
- Esther and the King at the American Film Institute Catalog
- Esther and the King at Rotten Tomatoes