Samson and Delilah Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		0.5
Overall		3.0

Samson and Delilah Blu-ray Movie Review

Good content and strong 1080p picture quality help mask no supplements and iffy sound.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman March 3, 2014

There was a time when the Biblical epic was a staple of Hollywood, a sure-fire moneymaker, and amongst the best-made movies around. Films like The Ten Commandments and The Robe lifted studio revenues and lifted audience spirits alike. Not preachy but certainly inspired by a higher purpose, these films revered their sources. Audiences, in turn, revered the pictures. That double-sided reverence has left an indelible mark on the cinema landscape, proof that quality filmmaking, meaningful storytelling, and high viewership all go hand-in-hand. And those sorts of movies, and that sort of audience-movie symbiosis, are no longer the antiquated properties of the 1950s. The Biblical epic is making a fairly strong comeback these days. The TV miniseries The Bible captured a huge number of small-screen viewers. Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ saw believers and non-believers alike flock to cinemas. Son of God seems primed to find a similarly sized audience. There was, and remains, an unmistakable thirst for Biblically based entertainment, and the wonder of Blu-ray has made it easier than ever before to enjoy the classics and the newcomers both in quality of presentations that come as close to mimicking they way they looked on release day as modern media allows, be that release day six months ago or sixty years ago. Cecil B. DeMille's decades-old Samson and Delilah arrives on Blu-ray in one such modern package, beautifully restored and ready to not only entertain an audience that's obviously hungry for spiritually inspired filmmaking but also to share one of the Bible's most captivating tales of action, love, lust, and faith in pristine 1080p high definition video.

"Protect me."

It's 1,000 years before the time of Christ. The Philistines rule over the Danites with an iron fist. Amongst the Danites is Samson (Victor Mature), a man of incredible strength, a man said to be fused with both positive and negative attributes, a man who yearns for freedom for his peoples. Samson's desire to marry a Philistine woman named Semadar (Angela Lansbury) is frowned upon by those from both tribes. Semadar's sister Delilah (Hedy Lamarr) is particularly against the coupling; she wants the mighty Samson for herself. When Samson performs a feat of great strength and impresses the Philistines, he is granted a marriage to Semadar. The wedding goes awry; Semadar is killed and Samson becomes a fugitive. The Danites are heavily taxed in an effort to flush Samson out of the shadows. When he re-emerges, he lays waste to the Philistine army. Delilah, upset at her sister's death and that Samson did not choose her, uses her power of seduction to deduce the source of Samson's great strength in hopes of rendering him helpless and exacting revenge.

As far as the "big" Biblical epics go, Samson and Delilah certainly ranks in the second-class. It lacks both the scope and emotional and spiritual pull of the biggest films, but that doesn't make it a significantly lesser watch. It's a rather entertaining, if not occasionally dry, telling of one of the Bible's most fascinating stories, ranking up there with Old Testament favorites like "Daniel in the Lion's Den" and "Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors" in terms of wide exposure, particularly in Sunday school classes. That familiarity certainly doesn't lessen the story's dramatic impact nor impede one's ability to enjoy the film. It's rather well done in all areas, gloriously and painstakingly costumed and art directed. The film picked up Oscars in both categories (amongst several additional nominations) and is a visual feast for the eyes in every scene. It's smoothly directed and traditionally scored, both favorable to its era and lending to the film a steady yet robust cadence that accentuates the story's core elements of love, lust, betrayal, revenge, spiritual awareness, outward barriers, and inward remorse. It's nicely acted, perhaps a bit forced in places but, like all of its other pieces, very well done given the approach to the filmmaking medium of its era. The actors often push their performances towards a stage play presence rather than a more dynamic, inwardly focused effort that's more the norm for top actors and films in today's cinema landscape.

The story's core themes carry the day, though, beyond even the Oscar-winning stylings, sturdy technical merits, and good acting. The film isn't quite so layered as its themes, and it certainly sells the (tame) violence and (again tame) sultry romance aspects first and foremost, but beyond all of that lies some interesting takes on trust, self worth, and faith on one side and desire, betrayal, and forgiveness on the other. Samson and Delilah are both fairly complex characters given a rather simple façade in the film as it certainly incorporates all of these thematic layers but doesn't necessarily dissect them front-and-center, leaving the audience to decipher much of the subtext for itself. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect is the juxtaposition of the literal and metaphorical punishment Samson receives in the final act, a punishment that both blinds him to life but also reflects his straying from Godly principles, betraying his faith for earthly ends.

Samson and Delilah Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Samson and Delilah looks fantastic on Blu-ray. Paramount's 1080p transfer is presented in its native 1.37:1 aspect ratio, which features "black bars" flanking either side of the image when displayed on a 1.78:1 viewing surface. The picture is gorgeously filmic and a pleasure to behold. Details are crisp and refined in nearly every scene. Weaved baskets, muddy terrain, rocks, robes, armor, and all of the meticulously crafted props and set pieces look magnificent. The transfer never hiccups in its presentation of the most complex textures. There are a handful of slightly softer and smoother shots, but such are very few and far between. Colors are bright and even. Bold reds and other more vibrant colors nicely contrast with the more barren, earthy backgrounds that feature so prominently in the film. Black levels are deep and honest, while flesh tones present no major concerns. The image is reinforced by a light grain layer that helps solidify details and lends a quality cinematic flavoring. Overall, this is a beautiful high definition presentation and one of the best looking classic titles available on the Blu-ray format.

Samson and Delilah Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Samson and Delilah's Dolby TrueHD 2.0 lossless soundtrack doesn't live up to today's exacting standards, but it yields a serviceable listen. The antiquated material struggles to find the sort of lifelike clarity enjoyed by more modern presentations. The overture music plays with a limited range and questionable clarity, coming across as slightly muddled throughout the scale and absent much of a low end. Dialogue plays with sufficient accuracy and good stage presence but can go ever-so-slightly scratchy in places. Various action sound effects -- crashes, sword play, and the like -- also come across as rather unkempt and poorly defined. Still, the material satisfies given its age and limitations. This is no dynamic, front-line track, but it gets listeners through the film with no major drawbacks.

Samson and Delilah Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Samson and Delilah contains only the film's theatrical trailer (HD, 2:04).

Samson and Delilah Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Samson and Delilah isn't a crown jewel in the Biblical epic landscape, but it's a rock-solid entry, an entertaining and beautifully made picture about one of the Bible's most interesting stories. It's a rather superficial film but one with plenty of subtext available for the more curious viewer to explore. It's well acted and finely tuned, certainly a must-see for fans of classic cinema and Biblical storytelling on the big screen. Paramount's Blu-ray release of Samson and Delilah features pristine video, serviceable audio, and a trailer. The lack of a broader supplemental section is disappointing, but the film and its video quality is enough to earn this release a recommendation.