Solomon and Sheba (1959)
Yul Brynner: Solomon
Photos
Quotes
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Solomon : Nothing must come between us.
Sheba : Not even our gods? I knew this moment would come, for the things we believe in are not the same.
Solomon : I had hoped that in time you would come to accept Jehovah.
Sheba : As King of Israel, would you abandon the god of your people for mine?
Solomon : Still, I dared hope.
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Solomon : [holding Abishag dead in arms] Oh, no. Oh, no. Why? The sin was mine. Why did you not strike me?
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Solomon : In the last few days, I have shown you much of Israel. But you have not told me anything of your own country.
Sheba : At the moment, my own land seems as distant as the stars.
Solomon : In my youth, I used to dream of visiting all the faraway kingdoms of the earth.
Sheba : And now, instead, the rulers of those countries come to you.
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Solomon : Why did you come to Jerusalem?
Sheba : Why do you ask me such a question now?
Solomon : Because from the the first time you looked behind those lovely eyes is the brain of a very clever woman who would never have travelled 800 leagues without a purpose.
Sheba : You have found me out. I will confess to you. The Pharaoh is paying me a fabulous price to spy on you. To deliver to him all of your secrets.
Solomon : I have considered that, but Israel has no real secrets from Egypt. Pharaoh is aware of our weaknesses and our strength.
Sheba : How could I hope to deceive you? I have been trying to entrap you. With these. To bind you to me in soft chains so that I may do with you as I will.
Solomon : Now perhaps we are approaching the truth. Every woman exacts her price from a man.
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[Abishag enters Solomon's chambers, trying to dissuade him from attending Sheba's pagan ritual]
Solomon : My door was closed. Must you intrude upon my privacy?
Abishag : Can you shut out your conscience by closing the door?
Solomon : Say what you must, then please leave me alone.
Abishag : I come seeking the man I once knew. The man who was noble, gentle and kind, the man who walked with God.
Solomon : Those are mere words, Abishag.
Abishag : I entreat you to listen. When I was a child, you were the world and I adored you. But time passed, and love changed even as I did. My love became that of a woman for a man. But the man became a king, and in his eyes, the woman was still a child. I know how strongly it calls to you. Listen to your people. Their love calls to you, as I call in my love. Listen to them if not to me.
Solomon : Whether you or my people approve, I must go.
[Solomon walks to the doors, while Abishag stands against the doors, barring his way]
Abishag : You cannot go. Do not destroy yourself! I beg of you!
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Adonijah : Solomon! What are you doing here?
Solomon : On my way to Jerusalem, we got word the Egyptians were on the prowl again. I thought you might need some help.
Adonijah : You are better suited to singing songs than exploits on the field of battle.
Solomon : Our father David was a singer of songs, but he's also a mighty warrior.
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Solomon : Real wisdom lies in the ability to decide between the true and the false.
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Solomon : it interests me to learn what amuses you.
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Solomon : At times, a man feels drawn toward the dangers that confront him, even at the risk of his own destruction. Like a moth approaches a flame.
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Nathan : I charge you, Solomon, to cleanse yourself of this iniquity you have permitted to spawn in Israel. Abjure this woman of her idolatries. Tear down the abomination she has erected.
Solomon : I have given her permission to hold the sacred rite of her own religion, in the privacy of the Vale of Seth.
Zadok : A pagan revel. An orgy!
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Solomon : Vanity of vanities. All is vanity.
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Solomon : No matter how few of us are left, we'll fight on. If I cannot live as a king with honor, at least I can die as a king with honor.
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[last lines]
Solomon : His anger is but for a moment. But his love is forever. Weeping may tarry for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
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Solomon : Set them to burnishing their shields. Let them shine like mirrors!