Solomon and Sheba (1959)

Biblical epic completists will enjoy Solomon and Sheba, but those with a low tolerance for the genre are advised to stay well away. There are far worse films than Solomon, and far worse ones just among the Bible-based epics, but Solomon still is somewhat difficult to sit through. It's too long, although shorter than many other epics, but its length isn't so much a problem as its pace; it simply FEELS longer than it actually is, due in large part to director King Vidor's deliberateness. Vidor's heart simply doesn't seem to be in Solomon, and so even the action and adventure scenes don't have the sparkle and drive that they require. Vidor stated that part of the problem lay with the fact that he had to replace original leading man Tyrone Power, who he claimed understood the complexities of the character, with Yul Brynner, who sees the character as faultless and decisive, incapable of worrying about the rightness or wrongness of his actions. Brynner, sporting a toupee, does not give a very interesting performance, and even reliable George Sanders comes across as a bit tired (and a bit long in the tooth for his role as well). Gina Lollobrigida looks fantastic, but her performance is also nothing to write home about. Still, the physical production is impressive, and those who enjoy throngs of soldiers going at each other and Divinely-inspired battle plans should find plenty here to satisfy them. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide