Friday, May 24, 2019

Through the Years : Samson and Delilah

The story of Samson and Delilah has been told many times on film, TV and the stage with an opera. The list is pretty long but here are some of the most memorable or known productions. Of course the 1949 version directed by Cecil B DeMille is the most famous one. Bodybuilder Steve Reeves auditioned for the role but DeMille thought Reeves' body was too sculpted and the future Hercules didn't get the part.

From SAMSON AND DELILAH (1922), directed by Alexander Korda, starring Maria Corda as Delilah and Alfredo Galoar as Samson

The classic 1949 version with Hedy Lamarr as Delilah and Victor Mature as Samson. 

Samson (Anton Geesink) has been rendered weak by Delilah (Rosalba Neri) after she and an assistant cut his hair. This one of two short stories in GREAT LEADERS OF THE BIBLE (1965).

Antony Hamilton and Belinda Bauer are Samson and Delilah in this 1984 TV version. Both actors were miscast.

Elizabeth Hurley and Eric Thal in the 1996 version of the fabled story. Unlike other productions, Delilah cuts Samson's hair while he's wide awake, as a dare of sorts. This scene is pretty good even if the final product is uneven.

Caitlin Leahy and Taylor James and Delilah and Samson in the 2018 release, SAMSON. I haven't seen it yet but I haven't heard good things about it.

3 comments:

Salgister said...

In the 1984, Victor Mature was Samson's father.

Anonymous said...

I think the Anthony Hamilton version is the only decent one since DeMille's. The 2018 film is awful.

Scott Ochiltree said...



Hedy Lamarr was perfect in the 1949 version.