JoeKarlosi The acclaimed Cecil B. DeMille had to be one of the corniest directors who ever lived. Here is his very colorful biblical semi-epic, SAMSON AND DELILAH, a flawed film but with occasionally powerful moments, starring Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr as the two title leads. Basing its story on the Bible's Book Of Judges, Samson is a rugged and self-absorbed 'Danite' whose people are dominated by the Philistines. Yet he wishes to marry the Philistine Semadar (Angela Lansbury), the older sister of the stealthy Delilah, who loves Samson and wants him for herself. Samson harbors a faith in what Philistines call "his invisible god", who Samson believes has given him the gift of super-human strength through his long hair. The Philistines consider the unbeatable Samson to be a lingering thorn in their sides, so once Delilah is spurned, she sets her price to seduce Samson and learn the secret of his brute power, and render him helpless. But her undying love for him is something that will return to haunt her.We should consider that this film was made in 1949 and it certainly seems antiquated now, and even in comparison to other biblical movies done as early as ten years after. For one thing, it begs to be shot in Widescreen, but this was not the norm in its day. It's perhaps a bit too long, can be monotonous at times, and is better in its second half than its first. But the best moments are truly exciting, such as Samson's killing of a lion with his bare hands (still looks pretty good today, quickly edited to limit its shortcomings), Samson single-handedly fighting an entire army of Philistines armed only with the jawbone of an ass, and the satisfying grand finale where Samson mightily brings down the Temple of Dagon. Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr surely look just right for their roles, and I don't think Mature's performance is bad in the film (though his character seems rather selfish and unagreeable and thus not as heroic as he should be). George Sanders gets a lot of praise for his understated playing of The Saran of Gaza, but it's a bit too laid back under these conditions for me. **1/2 out of ****

dougdoepke It's hard not to mock this comic book version of the Bible's Book of Judges. However, if you can put up with the non-stop palaver, exterior sets and spotty acting, there is a big payoff at the end. That's when the heathens' temple of Dagon collapses in grand fashion thanks to Samson's eye-bulging strength and the Israelites' vengeful god. Catch all those cheering heathens getting suddenly creamed by ten-ton cardboard rocks. It's a Technicolor doozy and a real tribute to Paramount's special effects department.Nonetheless, the movie's other big action sequence— Samson swinging the jawbone—makes you wonder if the Philistines ever discovered the use of the spears they carry. Too bad that the staging there is about as credible as Wiley and the Roadrunner. Still, I could gaze into LaMarr's very non-Semitic blue eyes all day long. She and the hunky Mature definitely incarnate Hollywood's over-the-top imagination. But pity the clunky lines they have to recite. Stuff like "The Philistine dogs over our green fields do pass". Hollywood was always at its dialog worst when putting poetic excess like this into the mouths of unfortunate ancients and ethnics.Okay, I tried not to mock the movie, but it's just too hard to resist. On the other hand, the production remains a colorful eyeful, along with fancy costuming still fit for a royal court. Plus, there's the incomparable George Sanders at his snooty best. But these Biblical epics were too often commercial traps Hollywood just couldn't resist— that is, guaranteed big bucks in return for comic book treatments. Unfortunately, this is one of them.(In passing— contrary to the movie's version, this is how Samson actually got the cloaks to pay off his riddle wager: " And the spirit of the LORD came upon him {Samson}, and he went down to Ashkelon and slew thirty men of them {Philistines}, and took their spoil {cloaks}, and gave change of garments unto them which expounded the riddle." Judges 14:19. In short, De Mille and Co. turned the unacceptable mass murder in the Bible into the movie's rather comical crime of thievery, presumably to make the story more acceptable to ticket- buying audiences. How fitting.)

dimplet The best part of this movie is reading the reviews here, which are quite insightful, particularly: jpdoherty from Ireland, and jmbelf from Maryland.Yeah, it was entertaining when I was a little kid, which says something about the level of sophistication of the targeted audience of the time. What I find interesting is the possible relation between Samson and Delilah in 1949 and Quo Vadis in 1951. I guess the studios saw a potential audience in Biblical tales around that time. And you've got to admit the Good Book knows how to tell a tall tale or two, so it made sense to mine this. What is odd is how the studios seemed to turn gold into leaden dialogue.I thought Quo Vadis was hokey, but this takes the cake. Next to Samson and Delilah, Quo Vadis looks positively Shakespearean. I love Hedy Lamarr, a love at first sight when I saw her in the semi- silent Ecstasy. Yummmmmm, Hedy! She sure looks great here with her blue eyes, but she doesn't sound so great. Her acting is a bit odd. It's lively, but not really believable. As to the legendary Cecille B. DeMille, one look at this, and it is clear he hadn't quite made the transition from silent movies. And the outdoor sets have a tacky pre-Star Trek TOS look of fiberglass rocks and sand coated canvas. Angela Lansbury and George Sanders deliver competent performances. Victor Mature does not impress me. George Reeves would have been a hoot in the lead; it needs someone who knows how to do the strongman smile. All Mature knew how to do was frown. I wonder if some Hollywood execs kicked themselves after seeing Reeves as Superman, and said that should have been our Samson! My advice if you are considering watching Samson and Delilah is to make sure you do it before you turn 12. If you are an adult with a normal IQ, it may be too late.

vitaleralphlouis First seen in 1949 when I was still a kid, and again on DVD last night, deMille's "Samson and Delilah" has actually improved with age. Although this was a standout success in 1949, the fact is that quality movies were commonplace in 1949; seldom and few in 2010. (Resident Evil 3D" does nothing for me, thanks.With perfect photography, an exceptional script, inspired direction, you can add onto that the casting of Victor Mature, Hedy Lamarr, George Saunders -- each perfect for the part, each giving the performance that marked their career.The special effects were magnificent (unlike today's boring computer generated foolishness) and give a spectacular conclusion to the story.Try to imagine the unholy mess that today's anti-religious and talent-free empty-heads would make. Never mind.As others pointed out, this is the kind of picture to see on the giant screen. I'd like to add that it's the kind to enjoy in the magnificent movie palaces of yesteryear -- as we did at Loew's Capitol in Washington, DC in 1949 (plus a stage show). Most of these, like the Phillistine temple in the movie, have been converted to rubble and dust. However, you can enjoy "Samson and Delilah" on exceptionally high quality DVD made in South Korea. Look for it. The price and postage are low and shipment is quick. If Paramount Pictures is asleep-at-the-wheel about issuing a DVD, just look elsewhere.