Molke Soleiman (2010)

Actors: Kwong Wing Chan (composer), Hossein Mahjoub (actor), Mehdi Faghih (actor), Mahmood Pakniat (actor), Elham Hamidi (actress), Seth Leslie (actor), Amin Zendegani (actor), Shahriar Bahrani (writer), Shahriar Bahrani (director), Zahra Saeedi (actress), Javad Taheri (actor), Mohammadreza Moyeeny (editor), Somayyeh Rahnemun (actress), Mahdi Zavari (miscellaneous crew), Sirous Saber (actor),

Genres: Drama, History, War,

Solomon (1997)

Actors: Vivica A. Fox (actress), Maria Grazia Cucinotta (actress), Max von Sydow (actor), Anouk Aimée (actress), Vadim Glowna (actor), Thom Hoffman (actor), Umberto Orsini (actor), Roger Hammond (actor), David Suchet (actor), Dexter Fletcher (actor), G.W. Bailey (actor), Stefan Gubser (actor), Ben Cross (actor), Luca Bernabei (producer), Stefania Rocca (actress),

Plot: David, now an old man, is still king of Israel. Among his sons, the ambitious Adonijah and the clever Solomon. The two young men are fierce rivals, since both are prospective heirs to the throne and only one can be successful. During a hunting expedition, Adonijah challenges his younger brother Solomon to a chariot race. While Solomon, though brave, still retains a modicum of caution, the daredevil Adonijah is eager to win at all costs -- and loses control of his chariot. Solomon takes the seriously injured Adonijah back to Jerusalem. On the way there they meet the attractive Abishag, who despite her youth is versed in the use of healing herbs. She actually succeeds in helping the prince. Adonijah falls in love with Abishag -- but Bathsheba arranges things so that she works for David, hoping that her youth, her beauty and her healing powers will soothe the old king's suffering. Several members of the influential priesthood and also the respected army general Joab, who served David loyally for many years, support Adonijah's claim to the throne-- even though David has still not made any decision with regard to a potential successor. The battle-experienced Joab regards Solomon as an indecisive weakling, under whose leadership the kingdom would soon fall apart. When the prophet Nathan finds out about Adonijah's conspiracy he informs Bathsheba and Solomon, who urge David to take immediate action. And so it comes to pass that preparations to anoint the future king of Israel are made both at the Spring of Enrogel, where Adonijah and his men are encamped, as well as in Jerusalem. The festive procession for Adonijah has already been assembled and the people enticed with delicious delicacies to cheer him on, when the news of Solomon's coronation reaches Enrogel. The people promptly acknowledge the will of King David and stream off to Jerusalem in their hordes to greet Solomon, their future ruler. Adonijah remains behind with a handful of loyal followers. He realizes that he has lost -- for the time being. Humbly he places his life in his brother's hands. Adonijah is forgiven on one condition: that he always remains loyal to his brother Solomon. The great King David is dead, and his son Solomon has succeeded him as the rightful ruler of Israel. Adonijah now has a request to make of Bathsheba: he wants to marry Abishag. Solomon hears about this seemingly innocent wish, and recognizes it as a renewed ploy on behalf of his brother to reclaim the throne -- Adonijah's marriage to the last woman to share King David's bed would strengthen his political position considerably. Solomon knows that he has to act quickly and decisively if he is to secure his own power. He has his brother Adonijah and the latter's closest associate Joab executed. After this radical decision, Solomon withdraws to present sacrifices. In a dream the Lord appears to him and grants him the fulfillment of a wish, whatever it may be. Solomon merely asks for wisdom -- in order to become a good ruler and judge. War with Egypt is looming. To arm his kingdom against the territorial ambitions of its powerful neighbors, Solomon not only introduces several reforms but also decides to marry the daughter of the pharaoh. The Egyptian princess does not remain Solomon's only wife, however: as time goes by the king marries numerous noble women from many different countries for political and economic reasons. In this way he preserves peace for his people, and creates great prosperity. By allowing the women to continue practicing their domestic customs and religious rituals in Jerusalem as well, he comes into regular conflict with the priesthood, who see the foreign religions as endangering Israel's sole covenant with the Lord. The wisdom granted to Solomon by God becomes fully evident when the king sits in judgment. One day two harlots each claim to be mother of the same baby. Solomon's decision seems utterly cruel: he says that the child should be cut in two so that each woman receives half. Solomon can now determine who the real mother is from her reaction: she will not allow her child to be harmed. Solomon hands the child back to its true mother amid cheers of approval. One of the most important tasks handed down to Solomon by his father David is building the great Temple to house the Ark of the Covenant. It has to be larger and more magnificent than all other temples in the world, and Solomon now sets about fulfilling his father's wish. He places Jeroboam in charge of the Israelite workers as chief overseer. Seven years later, the work is completed. The expensive construction materials have been brought from far-off lands, and the people of Israel have paid exceedingly high taxes without complaint in order to finance the construction work. The Ark of the Covenant can now finally be taken to the Temple in a triumphant procession. After so many years of wandering, the Israelites' most sacred possession now has a fixed home of its own. People stream to Jerusalem from across the entire country to celebrate the great day. Abishag, now married, comes too and brings her family. Solomon has decided to mingle among the people in disguise, and he and Abishag are overjoyed when they accidentally meet again after so many years. The Temple makes Jerusalem and its king famous throughout the world. Even the dark-skinned Queen of Sheba sets off with a large retinue to visit the wise and cultivated Solomon and admire his magnificent city. The admiration turns out to be mutual: Solomon, captivated by her beauty, falls deeply in love with her. The two of them have a child, Menelik, but one day the Queen of Sheba decides to leave. She does not want Menelik to be deprived of the regal dignity awaiting him in his home country. Solomon stays behind, with a heavy heart. The king has now achieved everything he set his heart on, but with the passing of the years the wise Solomon gradually becomes a melancholy, skeptical old man who regularly questions his very existence. Material things seem to represent the only reality for him. He also refuses to adopt any kind of steady policy, especially in religious matters. With his foreign wives, Solomon sacrifices to foreign gods, and this incurs the wrath of the priesthood. The loyal Jeroboam appeals to his king's conscience, but to no avail. During one of Solomon's sorties in disguise among his people, a simple farmer reminds him of the first of the Ten Commandments revealed by the Lord to Moses: "You shall have no other gods before me." At another decisive moment, God Himself speaks to Solomon and announces the punishment for his sinfulness: the kingdom will collapse after Solomon's death. The king has grown old and weary. He has lost touch with the people of Israel, who are suffering from heavy taxation and forced labor. Solomon has treated his long-standing companion Jeroboam, to whom he entrusted the administration of the northern tribes, with murderous anger ever since a prophet predicted the division of the kingdom to him. The king no longer has the strength to change things -- he just leaves them as they are. The consequences of this become clear shortly after his death. Solomon's son and successor Rehoboam treats the country's leaders with arrogance, and provokes the division of the kingdom into two parts: the only tribe still loyal to him is that of Judah, while all the others unite under Jeroboam. The prophecy has been fulfilled. The kingdom that Solomon received from his father David, and invested with such might and magnificence, is now divided.

Keywords: 10th-century-b.c., ancient-israel, armor, battle, battlefield, biblical, character-name-in-title, chariot, chariot-race, combat
Genres: Adventure, Biography, Drama, History,

Solomon (1995)

Actors: Brian Nissen (writer), Lex de Azevedo (composer), Richard Rich (director), James Koford (editor), Richard Rich (producer), Jared F. Brown (producer), Terry L. Noss (producer), Ray Porter (actor), Ray Porter (actor), Thomas J. Tobin (producer), Bernie Van De Yacht (miscellaneous crew), Seldon Young (producer), Therese Alexus (miscellaneous crew), Helena Collins-Liuag (miscellaneous crew), Gregory Daven (miscellaneous crew),

Plot: King David was renowned for his wisdom. On his deathbed, he anoints his younger son, Solomon, to be King of Israel. Solomon's older brother tries to wrest away the crown. But Solomon displays God-given wisdom and courage when he confronts his brother, saying, "If I must be king I will not live in fear. Kill me now if that is your plan, or else go home and never challenge God's will again." Faced with Solomon's courage, his brother says he will obey God's will. Solomon prays to God for the wisdom of King David, confiding, "I feel no wiser than a little child." The Lord appears to Solomon and tells him, "Solomon, because thou asked for wisdom to do good, and not for personal gain, I will give you a wise and understanding heart. Behold, there shall be none wiser than you." Solomon's wisdom is soon put to the test when two women appear at his court. Both claim to be the mother of a small infant. Solomon calls for a sword and orders that the child be cut in two. "Give each mother one half," he declares. One woman says, "We must obey the will of the King." The other woman cries out, "The child is hers! I lied! Please, give the child to her." Solomon gives the child to the second woman, saying, "A true mother will do anything to save the life of her child." From every nation they come to seek the wisdom of Solomon, and the greatness of Israel is increased. Solomon lives for many years and, to show his gratitude, builds a great temple to God's glory. Background: Wisdom always demands courage. Fortunately, these gifts from God come together. God tells us that He will bless us with the strength we need, if we come to him as Solomon did - as a child - and put our complete trust in Him.

Keywords: bible, character-name-in-title, independent-film
Genres: Animation, Biography, Family, Short,

Solomon and Sheba (1959)

Actors: Gina Lollobrigida (actress), Jean Anderson (actress), Finlay Currie (actor), Félix de Pomés (actor), Harry Andrews (actor), David Farrar (actor), Yul Brynner (actor), Laurence Naismith (actor), José Nieto (actor), Julio Peña (actor), Tyrone Power (actor), John Crawford (actor), George Sanders (actor), Virgilio Teixeira (actor), Tyrone Power (producer),

Plot: Shortly before his death in ancient Israel King David has a vision from God telling him that his younger son Solomon should succeed him as king. His other son Adonijah is unhappy and vows to attain the throne. Meanwhile the Egyptian Pharoah agrees to cede a Red Sea port to the Queen of Sheba is she can find a way to destroy Solomon, whose wisdom and benevolent rule is seen as a threat to more tyrannical monarchs in the region. Sheba, Pharoah, Adonijah, the leaders of the Twelve Tribes and his own God make life difficult for Solomon who is tempted by Sheba to stray.

Keywords: 10th-century-b.c., altar, ancient-israel, armor, army, assassin, attack, based-on-book, based-on-novel, based-on-the-bible
Genres: Drama, History, Romance, Romance, War,
Taglines: Behold! The love story of the ages! Only once in 3000 years...anything like...

Quotes:

Adonijah: You and your Sheban slut have defiled the fair name of Israel.

Pharaoh: And how will you destroy Solomon?::Sheba: It is said that Solomon is wise. But no matter how wise he may be, he is still human, with a human weakness.::Pharaoh: Surely the way of a woman is beyond understanding.::Sheba: The way of a woman is simple, my lord. It is always to follow the way of a man.

Abishag: How interesting your encampment is. Are your people always so carefree and gay?::Sheba: We enjoy life and pleasure. Don't you?::Abishag: Oh yes, we do. But we are... an austere people. We tend to be more serious.::Sheba: And your king... is he also serious?::Abishag: King Solomon has a great responsibility.

Solomon: In the last few days, I have shown you much of Israel. But you have not told me anything of your own country.::Sheba: At the moment, my own land seems as distant as the stars.::Solomon: In my youth, I used to dream of visiting all the faraway kingdoms of the earth.::Sheba: And now, instead, the rulers of those countries come to you.

Solomon: From the first, I knew that behind those lovely eyes is the brain of a very clever woman, who could never have traveled eight hundred leagues without a purpose.::Sheba: You have found me out. How could I hope to deceive you? I have been trying to entrap you, with these (shakes arms), to bind you with soft chains, so that I may do with you as I will.::Solomon: Every woman demands a price from a man.

Solomon: Nothing must come between us.::Sheba: Not even our gods? I knew this moment would come, for the things we believe in are not the same.::Solomon: I had hoped that in time you would come to accept Jehovah.::Sheba: As King of Israel, would you abandon the god of your people for mine?::Solomon: Still, I dared hope.

Elder: I charge you, Solomon, to cleanse yourself of this iniquity you have permitted to spawn in Israel.::Another elder: Abjure this woman and her idolatries. Tear down the obscene abomination she has erected!

God: But if he turn away and forsake my statutes, then I will pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given, and this house which is high shall be an astonishment to everyone who crosseth it, so that he shall say, "Why has the Lord done naught onto this land and onto this house?" And it shall be answered, "Because they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of Egypt, and raised them on hallowed grounds, and worshiped them, and served them - therefore has he brought all this evil upon them."

The Queen of Sheba (1921)

Actors: Tom Mix (miscellaneous crew), Herbert Heyes (actor), Fritz Leiber (actor), Robert Livingston (actor), Herschel Mayall (actor), George Nichols (actor), G. Raymond Nye (actor), George Siegmann (actor), Betty Blythe (actress), Nell Craig (actress), William Fox (producer), J. Gordon Edwards (writer), J. Gordon Edwards (director), Al Hoxie (actor), Erno Rapee (composer),

Genres: Adventure, Drama,
Taglines: Gigantic Spectacle and Story of the World's Greatest Love