Two decades before she would gain fame and some fortune as Alexis Carrington on Dynasty (1981), Dame Joan Collins starred as Esther in this melodramatic, routine Biblical story. The setting ... Read allTwo decades before she would gain fame and some fortune as Alexis Carrington on Dynasty (1981), Dame Joan Collins starred as Esther in this melodramatic, routine Biblical story. The setting is Persia in the fourth century B.C., as Esther comes to the attention of the recently wid... Read allTwo decades before she would gain fame and some fortune as Alexis Carrington on Dynasty (1981), Dame Joan Collins starred as Esther in this melodramatic, routine Biblical story. The setting is Persia in the fourth century B.C., as Esther comes to the attention of the recently widowed King Ahasuerus. The King has been trying to stifle and defeat the campaign of hatred ... Read all
- Simon
- (as Rick Battaglia)
- Hegai
- (as Robert Buchanan)
- Jewish Man
- (uncredited)
- Gladiator
- (uncredited)
- Soldier
- (uncredited)
- Bald Gladiator
- (uncredited)
- Jewish Fighter
- (uncredited)
- Villager
- (uncredited)
- Villager
- (uncredited)
- …
- Directors
- Raoul Walsh
- Mario Bava(Italian version)
- Writers
- Raoul Walsh
- Michael Elkins
- Ennio De Concini(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaProducer and Director Raoul Walsh did not like Daniela Rocca and did not believe she was a good actress or dancer. Walsh had Rocca's double perform Vashti's dance. He also gave one of Rocca's lines to another actress.
- GoofsThe ruins of an ancient Roman building complex are used as Simon's hideout. The ruins were disguised with some Persian elements (a broken statue, some sculptures on the walls), but Roman columns are visible. Most of the exterior/interior sets, however, are historically accurate representations of ancient Persian architecture.
- Quotes
Hegai: A plain white gown. Such simplicity! Was it your choice?
Esther: Yes.
Hegai: Indeed. One might think you have no desire to win a queen's crown. A most becoming modesty. It pleases me. An unassuming virtue that needs rewarding.
[to the servants]
Hegai: Fetch me the cloak of gold!
[to the maidens]
Hegai: You may rest, my little doves.
[Hegai brings the golden cloak]
Esther: I am grateful, but I don't wish to be so favored.
Keresh: I will accept it.
Esther: Oh, yes. Yes, give it to her.
Hegai: [to Keresh] Speak only when you're spoken to!
Keresh: Take care, eunuch! I have mighty friends.
Hegai: In the brothels of the street of the soldiers, no doubt!
[to Esther]
Hegai: Here, my child. I ask you to wear it. Please.
[wraps the cloak around Esther]
- ConnectionsReferenced in Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre (2000)
This is the classical and biblical story of Esther , a book in the Old Testament and King Artexerxis , a powerful Babylonian king . This is breathtaking movie in every sense : filmmaker used spectacular palaces , luxurious gowns , stirring dances full of beauties , and lots of extras . Writing and direction , however are average . ¨Esther and the king¨ is in the greatest Cecil B DeMille tradition , the best in mass audience , displaying great production design and lavishly made . There is romance , battles and intrigue as is common with many Old Testament accounts . Epic , rambling events and spectacle are regularly blended in this flick realized in Peplum style , if raggedly and tortuously scripted story of Esther and the King . Wooden acting by Richard Egan and marvelous Joan Collins , though this vehicle first was announced for Hedy Lamarr in 1953 . Here Esther is portrayed as one who is not only fun-loving but brave and wise and Artexerxes is portrayed as a man who carefully measures his decisions and falls deeply in love with Esther . It boasts superior secondary cast plenty of known American/Italian actors . As support cast is pretty well , such as Dennis O'Dea , Rick Battaglia , Gabrielle Tinti , Rosalba Neri , Folco Lulli , Renato Baldini and Sergio Fantoni as Haman who was hanged on his own gallows . There is another version about these deeds titled ¨One night with the king¨ (2006) by Michael O. Sajbel with Tiffany Dupont as Hadassah / Esther , Luke Goss as King Xerxes , John Noble as Prince Admantha , Omar Sharif as Prince Memucan , John Rhys-Davies as Mordecai and James Callis a Haman, the Agagite
This long epic Italian/USA co-production shot in Cinemascope and color by De Luxe well photographed by Mario Bava . Evocative and moving musical score by Angel Francesco Lavagnino . The motion picture financed by Galatea Production and realised by Twenty Century Fox Corporation was professional but middlingly directed by Raoul Walsh . Raoul was an expert on action , thriller , Film Noir , Western genres . He made several adventure/epic movies as ¨Blackbeard pirate¨, ¨Sea Devils¨, ¨Captain Horacio Hornblower¨, ¨The world in his arms¨ and this ¨Esther and the king¨ and at the same time collaborated , but uncredited , in ¨Helen of Troy¨ by Robert Wise .
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Details
- Runtime1 hour 49 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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