Solomon and Sheba

Synopsis: Shortly before his death in ancient Israel King David has a vision from God telling him that his younger son Solomon should succeed him as king. His other son Adonijah is unhappy and vows to attain the throne. Meanwhile the Egyptian Pharoah agrees to cede a Red Sea port to the Queen of Sheba if she can find a way to destroy Solomon, whose wisdom and benevolent rule is seen as a threat to more tyrannical monarchs in the region. Sheba, Pharoah, Adonijah, the leaders of the Twelve Tribes and his own God make life difficult for Solomon who is tempted by Sheba to stray.
Director(s): King Vidor
Production: United Artists
  1 nomination.
 
IMDB:
6.2
NOT RATED
Year:
1959
141 min
454 Views


This is the borderland that lies between | the countries of Egypt and Israel.

As it is today, so it was 1,000 years | before the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.

Even then, these boundaries | were kept ablaze

with the fires of hatred and conflict.

Each side prided themselves | on the efficiency of their spies

but kept themselves | always on the alert.

Soldiers of David, commanded by his | son and heir Adonijah, prince of Israel.

- A chariot moving along the road. | - Stop the fool, whoever he is.

- Prince Solomon. | - Is my brother here?

Prince Adonijah is at the top of the hill. | Follow me.

Solomon! What are you doing here?

On my way to Jerusalem, we got word | the Egyptians were on the prowl again.

I thought you might need some help.

You are better suited to singing songs | than exploits in battle.

Our father David was a singer of songs, | but he"s also a mighty warrior.

- Where are the Egyptians? | - They thought to trap me,

to rush in on our camp and kill us | while we slept, but we"re not sleeping.

Give me your orders.

This is not your kind of game, brother.

I never thought of it as a game. | I fight by your side.

- Then the sword of victory, Solomon. | - And the shield of God, Adonijah.

Spread out, and kill them all.

- Now we attack. | - Attack.

Sound the retreat.

Once again, the Pharaoh will have reason | to remember the name of Adonijah.

Let him write it in the blood of his dead.

Too long | this soil has been bathed in blood.

Have you lost your taste for blood | now that the battle is over?

After seeing the glory of victory,

the glory of peace makes itself known.

Peace is for women and children.

Let me cleanse my mouth | of the stench of the Egyptians.

To a new victory | won by the Prince of Israel.

- To the warrior prince, Adonijah. | - To Adonijah.

To your glory, brother. | May it increase the glory of Israel.

There would be greater glory if I were | not shackled by command of my father.

Defend but never attack.

When I am king, there will be no | privileged sanctuaries for my enemies.

I"ll pursue them into their own cities.

- We"ll hunt them down like dogs. | - We"ll rout them out.

Highness, this one was found | among the dead, but he is no Egyptian.

Put him down.

The Pharaoh has mercenaries, | but I have never seen one like him.

- From where do you come? | - I have the honour to serve Her Majesty.

- The Queen of Sheba. | - The Queen of Sheba?

We"re a long way from the land of Sheba. | 800 leagues.

Where goes the Queen of Sheba | there go I, a soldier of her guard.

Why does a Sheban | fight with Egyptians against Israel?

I fight where my queen commands.

And it pleased my queen to lead | her troops against a band of barbarians.

I"ll send your hide to this brave queen | of yours as a token of my esteem.

No. Grant him the respect | one soldier should have for another.

Bind up his wounds.

So spare him.

Out of regard for the tender heart | of my dear brother.

This queen amuses herself | by leading men across our borders

to slay Israelites | as she might attend a circus.

I doubt if she found | much amusement here.

Hezrai.

What brings the king"s chancellor here? | More orders?

No, Highness. If that were so, | mine would be a far happier mission.

Your father, King David, | lies at the point of death.

He lapsed into a coma | and has not regained consciousness.

His physicians could give me | no word of hope to bring you.

Josiah, we ride to Jerusalem.

- Hail Adonijah, King of Israel. | - Hail Adonijah. Hail the king.

It is not your right to proclaim the king. | These are the words of the Law:

"He shall be anointed | with the waters of Gihon

and crowned in the presence of the | priest and the elders of the tribes. "

Your law may be the Word, Chancellor. | Mine is the sword.

Hail Adonijah.

And why do you remain silent? | Am I not David"s rightful heir?

- Your first thought is not for our father? | - Life is for the living.

When I know David is no longer living, | I will be the first to acknowledge you.

I will follow you, Highness.

We could reach Jerusalem | by dawn tomorrow.

Let Solomon concern himself with | the dead. My thoughts are for the living.

I have business with this Sheban queen.

We must ride fast to overtake her.

Horses!

Hai! Hai!

Hai! Go!

Go! Go!

Halt!

Stand aside.

In Israel, I give the orders.

I regret that we did not meet last night | when you visited my encampment.

Who are you?

- The king of Israel. | - He lies.

Whoever he is, he is an impostor.

The king is an old man, | weak with the burden of his years.

Is that why you thought it safe | to join forces with the Egyptians?

Give me leave, | and I will clear them from the road.

You think you could do better now | than you did last night?

David lies dead in Jerusalem. | I, Adonijah, am his heir.

- We want no dealings with the Israelites. | - Let him speak, Baltor.

- What favour do you seek of me? | - If we were dealing in favours,

- I could bring you the heads of your dead. | - Kill him!

- Your own head is not too secure. | - Silence, Haran.

I pursued you not to ask favours | but to grant them.

And what favour could an Israelite | grant the Queen of Sheba?

A kingdom twice as large | as she now rules.

Renounce your alliance with the Pharaoh. | Let your banners fly beside mine.

When I have overthrown him, I will give | you all his lands that border on your own.

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Anthony Veiller

Anthony Veiller (23 June 1903 – 27 June 1965) was an American screenwriter and film producer. The son of the screenwriter Bayard Veiller and the English actress Margaret Wycherly, Anthony Veiller wrote for 41 films between 1934 and 1964. more…

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