Samson And Delilah Movie Views

General Goods

Samson and Delilah is a 1949 film made by Paramount Pictures (and one of few pre-1950 films by the studio to remain under its ownership), produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starring Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr as the title characters. Angela Lansbury, George Sanders and Henry Wilcoxon are also featured.

Samson, a Hebrew placed under Nazirite vows from birth by his mother, is engaged to a Philistine woman named Semadar. During a fight at their wedding feast, Semadar is killed and Samson becomes a hunted man. Shortly after the death of Semedar, the Saran of Gaza (Sanders) imposes heavy taxes on the Dannites, with the purpose of having Samson betrayed by his own people. Saran's plan works and frustrated Dannites hand over Samson to the Philistines. News of his capture reaches Saran and Delilah, Semadar's sister, and they are pleased to hear that the mighty Samson was captured.

However, before he does, he says these final words: My eyes have seen thy glory, oh God! Now let me die with my enemies. Samson topples the second pillar. Immediately the colossal statue of Dagon, which was supported by those two pillars, begins falling. Seeing their impending doom, many decide to run. Then the whole support of the statue of Dagon crumbles and the statue comes crashing down, falling on the upper levels on the temple, where some were situated. Saran decides not to run despite the warnings of his subjects; he just lifts his wine and says Delilah as the statue falls on him. Portions of the crumbling temple begin to fall, crushing many. Some die as they jump from the upper levels to avoid the statue. In the end the temple lies in rubble. Saul and Miriam are looking at the remains and Saul asks if he had to die.

Nancy Olson, under contract to Paramount Pictures, later claimed she was considered for the role of Delilah. Instead, she accepted what would become her most memorable role, starring in Sunset Boulevard. Ironically, DeMille's cameo in Sunset Boulevard shows him filming a scene from Samson and Delilah. Olive Deering would reprise her role of Mariam in the form of an ancestor in The Ten Commandments.