Jeff Chandler suited Biblical pictures down to the ground, with his noble profile, booming voice, authoritative presence and booming voice... It's surprising he appeared in so few of them. I guess he made most of his movies for Universal who didn't make that many (too expensive).
This was one of his last films - he's dyed his hair black for the first bit! Though for the rest of the film he has head gear. He plays David, post Goliath - it's the section where Saul tries to kill him and he's mates with Jonathan. Really Chandler is too old but he brings his old Chandler-esque qualities.
It's not particularly well written or directed but sticks to the story and is enjoyable as, in the words of one critic, a Sunday school version of the tale. And the story is decent. I did wish the budget was bigger during the battle scenes. Also the script fails to hone in on any interesting character dynamics.
It is helped by location work in Israel and the cast who include Donald Pleasance (he's terrific in Biblical films), Barbara Shelley from Hammer horror and Richard O'Sullivan from Man About the House.
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