While a slew of biblical films came out of the 1950s, the universal favorites are Ben-Hur and The Ten Commandments. Even though two powerhouse actors star in the film adaptation of King David's story and it was really successful at the time, David and Bathsheba might not be one you'll want to watch every year. It's just a little corny, dated, and over-the-top in a bad way. It could have easily starred Victor Mature, and then no one would have ever remembered this movie was even made.
Gregory Peck stars as King David, a man with many wives and the love of his people, but is still unsatisfied. Will rejoining his troops on the front lines of battle restore his old passions, or does he just need the love of a good woman to make him feel alive? As he ponders this one evening, he walks out on his balcony and sees Susan Hayward taking a bath in her house—with the windows open. I guess that answers that question.
To me, the most memorable aspect about this movie is what it was able to sneak past the Hays Code. The kisses were longer than three seconds, there were blatant discussions about sex, and in one scene, both leads are lying down and Gregory Peck covers her body with his own as he kisses her! All these steamy elements were violations of the Hollywood censorship code, and I'm pretty amazed that this movie was released with a seal of approval.
So, even though Gregory Peck is handsome and Susan Hayward is beautiful, this isn't my favorite of either of their films. Susan Hayward is one of my all-time favorite actresses, but I was forced to focus on how fantastic she looked to spare any criticism of her overpowering Brooklyn accent and the mediocre quality of the rest of the movie.
Gregory Peck stars as King David, a man with many wives and the love of his people, but is still unsatisfied. Will rejoining his troops on the front lines of battle restore his old passions, or does he just need the love of a good woman to make him feel alive? As he ponders this one evening, he walks out on his balcony and sees Susan Hayward taking a bath in her house—with the windows open. I guess that answers that question.
To me, the most memorable aspect about this movie is what it was able to sneak past the Hays Code. The kisses were longer than three seconds, there were blatant discussions about sex, and in one scene, both leads are lying down and Gregory Peck covers her body with his own as he kisses her! All these steamy elements were violations of the Hollywood censorship code, and I'm pretty amazed that this movie was released with a seal of approval.
So, even though Gregory Peck is handsome and Susan Hayward is beautiful, this isn't my favorite of either of their films. Susan Hayward is one of my all-time favorite actresses, but I was forced to focus on how fantastic she looked to spare any criticism of her overpowering Brooklyn accent and the mediocre quality of the rest of the movie.