Samson and Delilah (1949) ( Samson & Delilah ) [ Blu-Ray, Reg.A/B/C Import - Sweden ]

In the history of filmmaking, no other director handled the genre of religious epics with more panache and reverence than Cecil B. DeMille. Yet, in his entire celebrated career the director made only six such movies: THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1923), KING OF KINGS (1927), THE SIGN OF THE CROSS (1932), THE CRUSADES (1935), SAMSON AND DELILAH (1949), and his own remake of THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956). The fifth film in DeMille's religious canon is his most passionate, and its style and structure was responsible for inspiring the highly successful Italian sword and sandal sub-genre a decade later. From the moment that scroll unfurls introducing the opening title - CECIL B. DEMILLE'S SAMSON AND DELILAH - you know you're going to be in for a thoroughly satisfying viewing experience. Offering rip-roaring action, colorful spectacle, and sensual romance all presented in an engaging storytelling manner, this is a masterpiece of the kind only DeMille could make. The picture manages to stay quite faithful to the Bible account in Judges 13-16, with only a few instances where Jesse L. Lasky, Jr. and Fredric M. Frank's script takes dramatic license. For instance, the film depicts Samson's bride and Delilah as sisters whereas the Bible doesn't substantiate such a relationship between them. Also, in the movie Samson is blinded by a red-hot blade held close to his eyes, while in the actual account they're bored out of their sockets. Aside from these textual deviations the film is a largely accurate, vivid dramatization of the most famous romantic betrayal in recorded history. Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr flesh out definitive portrayals in the lead roles; Mature is beefy and totally at ease playing the straying strongman whose weakness is women, and Lamarr is the epitome of the beautiful seductress who betrays him. The two actors are so well-suited in the leads that it's difficult to imagine someone else in their place. The supporting players are also top-notch: George Sanders is superb as the cynical Saran who has both envy and respect for Samson, Angela Lansbury plays Samson's fickle bride-to-be Semadar, and Henry Wilcoxon makes a strong impression as Samson's jealous rival, Ahtur. The production values of SAMSON AND DELILAH are of the highest quality by 1949 standards, and the film won deserved Oscars for Hans Dreier and Walter Tyler's art direction, Sam Comer and Ray Moyer's set decoration and Edith Head's costumes. Gordon Jennings' special effects department created some spectacular visuals, which still pass muster today. The big climax set in the Philistine Temple of Dagon is a triumph of convincing miniature high-speed photography and integrated live action. George Barnes' Technicolor cinematogaphy is lush and artfully lit, reminiscent of the paintings by Rembrandt and Vermeer. I'd be amiss if I didn't give high praise for Victor Young's fabulous music score which, in my opinion, is one of the finest ever written for a Hollywood film. Everything about this DeMille extravaganza is done with an expertise and a showmanship that defined an era of great cinematic entertainment. Paramount Home Video has finally released SAMSON AND DELILAH on DVD and Blu-ray in meticulously restored condition, and it looks and sounds terrific - as good as it must've been on its initial release. Both editions contain Victor Young's overture and exit music. Menu options include scene selections, optional mono audio tracks in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese with corresponding subtitles. The sole extra is the original theatrical trailer available only on the Blu-ray. Something many people today forget is that Cecil B. DeMille was one of the founding fathers of America's film industry. He made movies that were enormously popular because he had an innate understanding of what the public wanted as well as the creative ability to deliver it. SAMSON AND DELILAH demonstrates that inimitable DeMille touch to the fullest degree. My highest recommendation.

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Finally the studios are beginning to restore and rerelease some of the classics of their most opulent era. Cecil B. DeMille, as a producer-director became synonymous with the legendary beginnings of Hollywood itself. DeMille loved the spectacle, and he loved Technicolor. Both can be seen dripping off of the screen in the beautiful DVD restoration of Samson and Delilah, allegedly made from DeMille's own personal reference print of the movie. While perhaps not to be taken seriously as Biblical history, the director has drawn, as he frequently was fond of doing, from Biblical source material for the scenario of what is still a compelling story. DeMille loved nothing better than story telling through spectacle and as a producer he was fond of plucking a good story from a Biblical account and then embellishing it by writing the story large on the motion picture screen. Some say that DeMille's pictures lacked subtlety, and were embellished with the titillating. But to appreciate his work, such as in Samson and Delilah, one has only to sit-back and enjoy the pageantry and scope of DeMille's cinematic story telling. While the director's name would have been a proverbial "household name" in his lifetime, many of today's generation may not be too familiar either with DeMille's reputation for spectacle, nor recognize his name as a moviemaker. Sampson & Delilah is a story theme out of another popular era, for sure, but it is an excellent introduction to the legendary DeMille's work. If only one enjoys the opportunity to view the acting of the legendary Hedy Lamarr and relish her beauty, or enjoy Victor Mature's portrayal of the hunky and mercurial Samson, the time viewing this beautiful "restoration" will not be wasted. It's true that the story line was conceived in an era when the Biblical epic was a more mainstream popular entertainment, but this mid-20th Century spectacle holds up fairly well in our era of digital cinema special effects and is worth viewing by modern day audiences, perhaps those not even born during DeMille's lifetime. DeMille was once head of production at Paramount, and he threw all of the studio's resources into this production, much as he did with his better known "Ten Commandments", and other epic productions. It's a great showman's show.

Blu-ray com Áudio e Legendas PT-BR

Movie was brand new and sealed. Great movie hard to get! Packaging was very protective and perfect, received in excellent condition. Thank you Amazon for working with other sellers under Amazon guarantee! Amazon is great! Amazon is my first go to for everything! Makes my life so much easier and Amazon Prime is so worth the monthly small charge for so much included!

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Enjoyed it them and still enjoyed now

Arrived quickly and very happy!-this film is a classic and so I was looking forward to getting it on bluray,the picture quality is fantastic and totally remastered!-the best its ever looked. The bluray disc is REGION FREE and plays on UK bluray players no problem..My only 'gripe' about this bluray is the fact its 4:3 ratio and not widescreen.. I 100% recommend this bluray to fans of this film,its never looked so good as it does on bluray.