Solomon & Sheba | 
| Actors: Yul Brynner, Gina Lollobrigida, George Sanders, Finlay Currie, David Farrar
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $7.51
You Save: $7.47 (50%)
New (39) Used (8) Collectible (1) from $5.99
Rating:  24 reviews
Sales Rank: 11256
Format: Color, Dubbed, Dvd, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Dubbed)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 139 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.6
MPN: MGMDM110304D
UPC: 883904103042
EAN: 0883904103042
ASIN: B0010YSDAE
Theatrical Release Date: 1959
Release Date: March 25, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
The voluptuous queen of sheba plots the overthrow of the famed king solomon. Studio: Tcfhe/mgm Release Date: 09/23/2008 Starring: Yul Brynner Marisa Pavan Run time: 139 minutes Rating: Nr
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| Customer Reviews: Read 19 more reviews...
 Solomon & Sheba June 6, 2009
G. D. Williams (USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Solomon and Sheba, a 1959 offering from United Artists, gave the movie audiences of the world a glimpse into the Golden Age of Israel. King David entrusted the united kingdom of Israel to his young son Solomon.
Of course, this did not sit well with Solomon's half brother, Adonijah who was the eldest. The contrast between the two sons was striking-Solomon was a poet and a peaceful soul; Adonijah was a warrior ever looking to fulfill his bloodlust. He was only happy when his sword dripped with blood.
The film shows the building of Solomon's Temple, a marvel of industry for the time. Meanwhile, Adonijah and Joab, David's nephew, secretly plotted to seize the throne.
Down the road in Egypt, the Pharaoh plotted with the Queen of Sheba to overthrow Solomon. He feared the united kingdom of Israel and its ever increasing military presence as well as the lost of trade. In the final analysis, war usually results from economic factors.
Everyone wanted to travel to Jerusalem to see the magnificent city of Jerusalem with its Temple and Solomon's palace. Also, they yearned to hear the words of wisdom from Solomon that had given him global renown.
When the Queen of Sheba arrives in Jerusalem, she brings her vast caravan with expensive gifts for the King as well as her gods which she hoped would lead to his downfall. The Queen was an intoxicating beauty which a god would be unwilling to resist.
Yul Brynner and Gina Lollobrigida give two stellar performances. The Spanish cinematography is beautifully filmed.
The wrath of Jehovah on the Temple as the result of Solomon's sin is awe-inspiring. The climax battle between Solomon and Adonijah leading the Egyptian army is spectacular. The stoning of the Queen of Sheba at the ruins of the Temple is poignant.
One has to keep in mind that these biblical film epics are loosely based on the Bible and other sacred texts. Regardless of this technicality, it is a great film if this is a genre that you enjoy.
The dialogue has been criticized for being too wordy, too poetic. Keep in mind this was 1959, not 2009. Actors and viewers were expected to be readers of the written word.
 Not a great film, not a great DVD February 5, 2009
bookworm (Chicago IL)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
A big spectacle movie with cartoon-like acting. I wish MGM or whatever corporation did the DVD production had pulled out some more of the Tyrone Power footage (shot before his death 2/3 of the way through filming) and added it to the bonuses. Since the film itself does not have the greatest reputation, I would think that the addition of some cinematic history would really make this DVD more worthwhile. Too bad. If there is more footage other than the bits you can see spliced into the film in long shots (look for puffier hair), it would be great to see it someday.
Fun and Funny January 23, 2009
Lex (Virginia)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This movie has very little historical value to it. It loosely based on the Bible and that you have to remember.
Yul Brynner plays Solomon and Gina Lollobrigida plays the Queen of Sheba, who's never directly given a name. She starts out trying to destroy Solomon, but ends up falling in love with him.
The sets are outlandish, the dialogue is too. The acting which is OK seems completely, and is, out of date. But for all of that it's still a watchable movie. The ending could have used a little work though, as could the action scenes, but still a watchable movie.
Shlomo and Sheba... June 21, 2008
Patrick Selitrenny (Switzerland a.k.a. Helvetia Felix)
0 out of 7 found this review helpful
Well, besides being a big ham, unless of course you are a big fan of the Bible and the Scriptures, this is a worthless effort in story telling.
Nowadays we have much more specific indications on who Solomon was and how the Queen of Sheba came into play. There are even sources that really and strongly doubt the two ever actually met.
So, premises apart, and taken into consideration that it is a Yul Brynner / Gina Lollobrigida vehicle, it is still watchable, especially for its "saucy" values of the time (1959).
A bit like "The Prodigal", this is by no means a serious attempt at translating the Bible into a historic document.
It is just Big Circus meets Big Actors. There is even poor George Sanders standing by, lending a hand at this.
Poor man, he must have been desperate in doing so.
Anyway, if the pay is right, why not...
It is barely good enough for Popcorn and Soda and for keeping your kids laughing for a couple of hours in front of your TV set.
Other than that, consider, it is cheap, so if you decide to buy it, it won't be a big dent in your purse, just do not expect something really intellectual out of this one.
And Yul in a wig is ridiculous at best.
Stick to "The King and I" or other better pictures, like "The Magnificent Seven" and even the Sci-Fi thriller "Westworld", if you really like to see Yul at his best.
Image, Screen Ratio and Sound as conventional as ever for MGM/UA products.
As said, cheap.
On DVD at last! March 27, 2008
Gary A. Smith (Los Angeles, ca USA)
0 out of 4 found this review helpful
SOLOMON AND SHEBA finally gets a U.S. DVD release and the wait was worth it! The movie hasn't looked or sounded this good since the day it was released back in 1959. Gina Lollobrigida at her most beautiful and Yul Brynner with hair...plus a cast of thousands. Who could ask for more? Great entertainment in the DeMille tradition.
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