Solomon and Sheba

With King David near death, a vision convinces him that Solomon should inherit the throne rather than the impatient Adonijah. Enraged, Adonijah rides away from court, swearing to seize power his own way. Across a world of ancient kingdoms, rulers grow nervous because Solomon governs with mercy and a growing conviction in one God, a philosophy that could undermine their tyrannical polytheistic regimes. The Queen of Sheba discovers a strategic opening and strikes a deal with the Egyptian pharaoh to sway Solomon for their mutual benefit. The film follows grand political maneuvering, charged romance, and spectacular battles as the crown trembles under pressure from rival powers. The audience sits with the spectacle while considering whether mercy can triumph over ambition.

Directed by King Vidor, the 1959 epic Solomon and Sheba presents a lavish retelling of ancient ambition. Yul Brynner stars as Solomon, with Gina Lollobrigida as Sheba, and a screenplay by Crane Wilbur and Anthony Veiller, and high drama throughout.

Produced on a budget of about five million dollars, the film grossed approximately 12.2 million worldwide, signaling solid box office performance for its era and helping solidify its status as a mid range historical epic in cinema history forever remembered.

Critics offered mixed assessments, with audiences averaging about 6.39 out of 10 from 100 votes. The movie leans into towering sets and romance while wrestling with power, faith, and political calculation. It presents Solomon as a principled ruler trying to balance mercy and strength, including lavish costumes and towering battles.

As a late 1950s biblical epic, the film captures the era's appetite for grand production values, expansive battles, and star prestige. Brynner's imposing Solomon and Lollobrigida's regal Sheba helped define a look for ancient worlds on screen and influenced later epic cinema. Its lasting image remains a spectacle of grandeur.