Samson and Delilah is a 1984 television film adaptation of the biblical story of Samson and Delilah directed by Lee Philips and starring Max von Sydow, Belinda Bauer, Antony Hamilton, Daniel Stern and Victor Mature. Mature played Samson in the 1949 film and had a small cameo as the father of Antony Hamilton's Samson. This was his final acting role. Based on the 1962 novel Husband of Delilah by Eric Linklater, Samson and Delilah originally aired on ABC.
Contents
Plot
The film is mostly the same as the original Biblical story, but with notable differences such as, once again, the expanded and sympathetic role of Delilah (Bauer), the introduction of the garrison commander (Stern) who is friends with Samson (Hamilton), more focus upon Samson's relationship with his first wife, a different handling of the 30 garments bet, and, perhaps the most crucial alteration of the climax.
In the original story, maintained in the 1949 film and the 1996 film, Samson only regains his strength after his hair has grown long again, thus allowing him to tear down the Philistine temple. In this movie, however, Samson is taken to the Philistine temple just after his hair has been cut short, and he prays to God to restore his immense strength despite his short hair, and God complies, allowing Samson enough strength to tear down the stone pillars, thus destroying the temple. Delilah is saved through what looks like the intervention of God. She brings Samson back to his tribe to be buried.
Cast
Antony Hamilton as Samson
Belinda Bauer as Delilah
Angélica Aragón as Nija
David Byrd as Elon
David S. Eisner as Arin
José Ferrer as The High Priest
Jennifer Holmes as Varinia
Stephen Macht as Maluck
Victor Mature as Manoah
Clive Revill as Raul
Rene Ruis as The Temple Man
Maria Schell as Deborah
Brandon Scott as The Magician
Daniel Stern as Micah
Max von Sydow as Sidka
Production
Mature says he told the producer "I'll play Samson's father if the price is right." It was entirely shot in Mexico. Monty Cox trained the male African lion in this production.
In other media
It was spoofed by RiffTrax on September 22, 2023.