Samson and Delilah (1984 film)

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.

Samson and Delilah
DVD cover
Genre	Adventure Fantasy Action
Based on	Husband of Delilah by Eric Linklater
Written by	John Gay
Directed by	Lee Philips
Starring	Max von Sydow Belinda Bauer Antony Hamilton Daniel Stern Victor Mature
Music by	Maurice Jarre
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
Production
Executive producer	Gregory Harrison
Producer	Franklin R. Levy
Cinematography	Gerry Fisher
Editor	George Jay Nicholson
Running time	95 minutes
Production company	Catalina Productions
Original release
Network	ABC
Release	April 1, 1984 (1984-04-01)

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."^[1] It was entirely shot in Mexico.^[2] Monty Cox trained the male African lion in this production.

Accolades

Year	Award	Result	Category	Recipient
1984	Emmy Award	Nominated	Outstanding Achievement in Hairstyling	Jan Van Uchelen[3]
1985	BAFTA Award		Best Short Film	Mark Peploe

In other media

It was spoofed by RiffTrax on September 22, 2023.^[4][5]