King David

Play trailer

King David

PG-13

1985

1h 54m

History

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

8%

Tomatometer

12 Reviews

43%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

The prophet Samuel condemns Saul (Edward Woodward) and secretly anoints David (Richard Gere) king of Israel, according to the Old Testament.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

Variety Staff

Variety

Though the overall problems may not be of his making, Richard Gere is of little help in the title role. Granted, he could have been truly awful (which he isn't), but he doesn't seem comfortable, either.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

It seems a fundamental error to approach such a gory fantasia as though it were sober, four-square history.

Feb 9, 2006

Full Review

Vincent Canby

New York Times

Directed by Bruce Beresford in the worried manner of someone who feels it a triumph just to have gotten all the kings, prophets, soldiers, frond-waving townspeople, horses and donkeys on and off the screen on time.

May 20, 2003

Full Review

Lori Hoffman

Atlantic City Weekly

Rated: 3/5

Mar 16, 2007

Full Review

Susan Granger

www.susangranger.com

Rated: 1/5

Apr 5, 2006

Full Review

Chuck O'Leary

Fantastica Daily

Rated: 2/5

Oct 15, 2005

Full Review

Read all reviews

Roger S

Leaves so much to be told, but entertaining.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/27/23

Full Review

David E

From the time when Biblical epics were populated entirely with British accents and 1 well-known American actor to get people to see it. If you want to watch a film which gives the full story of David, one that demonstrates the full measure of his devotion to God, his passion, his military prowess, and his failures as a man, this is not the film for you. It jumps around through David's story with no sense and no consistency in the story telling that you don't know what's going on. It demonstrates no character development, no motivations for character actions. It's a 10-episode series condensed into 90 minutes. For those who are unfamiliar with the Biblical story, I'm sure very little of the film will make sense. It's a high-priced Hollywood disaster of a film. Skip it and watch The Chosen if you want a quality Bible-based production.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

12/23/22

Full Review

Audience Member

AMEN. THis Is tHe BEstEst MovIE EvER. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

For someone like me who doesn't have time to go and read the Bible, this is a good recap.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The compelling persona of David through the ages was his desire to know the heart of God. The film deletes scenes such as when God responds to David's desire to build a temple, leading him (and us) to know that God would rather dwell in our hearts rather than a building. Take these our and he film passion is eviscerated.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Well worth watching. Educational and entertaining.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

Bruce Beresford

Director

Richard Gere

David

Edward Woodward

Saul

Alice Krige

Bathsheba

Denis Quilley

Samuel

Niall Buggy

Nathan

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

Fat Man and Little Boy

50%

46%

Fat Man and Little Boy

Watchlist

Becket

75%

87%

Becket

Watchlist

Henry V

98%

89%

Henry V

Watchlist

Matewan

94%

93%

Matewan

Watchlist

1492: Conquest of Paradise

32%

50%

1492: Conquest of Paradise

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

View more photos

Synopsis

The prophet Samuel condemns Saul (Edward Woodward) and secretly anoints David (Richard Gere) king of Israel, according to the Old Testament.

Director: Bruce Beresford
Producer: Martin Elfand
Screenwriter: Andrew Birkin, James Costigan
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, Barclays Mercantile Industrial Finance
Rating: PG-13
Genre: History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2011
Runtime: 1h 54m
Sound Mix: Surround

Most Popular at Home Now