Samson et Dalila

Samson et Dalila

1981 · 111 min · ★ 8.5 · Music

While the rest of the Hebrews bewail their fate, Samson alone trusts in God's promise of liberty. Abimelech, the Philistine satrap of Gaza, enters to mock the Hebrews' God, proclaiming the superiority of Dagon, and the Hebrews are afraid of him. But calls them to show some defiance, so Abimelech attacks Samson with his sword. Samson seizes the sword and strikes him dead. The Hebrews scatter and the High Priest of Dagon appears, cursing the Hebrews. When a messenger reports that the Hebrews are ravaging the harvest, the High Priest forms a plan to use Delilah to overcome Samson's strength. Delilah's beauty is such that Samson can't resist her for long. She begs to know the secret of his supernatural strength, but he refuses, though he says he loves her. Delilah betrays Samson by having some Philistine soldiers seize him and throw him into a prison in Gaza, where his hair is cut off.

Directed by Kirk Browning · Written by Ferdinand Lemaire

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Cast

Plácido Domingo Samson
Shirley Verrett Dalila
Wolfgang Brendel Grand-Prêtre de Dagon
Kevin Langan Abimélech
Michael Ballam Premier Philistin
Stanley Wexler Second Philistin
Julius Rudel Conductor

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