SOLOMON AND SHEBA - 1959

Solomon and Sheba - 1959

Director: King Vidor

Stars: Yul Brynner, Gina Lollobrigida and George Sanders

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 Pharaoh agrees to cede a Red Sea port to the Queen of Sheba is 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, Pharaoh, Adonijah, the leaders of the Twelve Tribes and his own God make life difficult for Solomon who is tempted by Sheba to stray.

TAGLINES

Behold! The love story of the ages!
Only once in 3000 years...anything like...

RELEASE DATES:

USA 24 December 1959 (premiere)
USA 25 December 1959
Australia 10 December 1959

TECHNICAL

Runtime: 139 min  | 141 min (TCM print)
Sound Mix: Mono (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)
Colour: Colour (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio: 2.20 : 1

Co-producer/star Tyrone Power had completed shooting more than half of the film when he collapsed during a duelling scene with George Sanders and died a few minutes later. Power was replaced in the role of Solomon by Yul Brynner, who refilmed all of Power's scenes. Power, however, is still visible in the film in long shots.