Overview
A tale of love and betrayal set against the backdrop of ancient conflict.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- sumptuous
- passionate
- theatrical
- classic movie night
- biblical epic marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as an exceptionally entertaining and visually magnificent biblical spectacle, while later responses have found it somewhat overlong and uneven.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Cecil B. DeMille stages ancient Gaza and Israel through sumptuous costumes, expansive sets, and large-scale action.
The Old Testament story is presented through romance, betrayal, revenge, and spectacular moral conflict.
Samson's extraordinary strength is tied to his religious identity and becomes the central secret pursued by Delilah and the Philistine authorities.
Delilah uses her love for Samson and her desire for revenge to plan his seduction and betrayal.
Films like Samson and Delilah, and why
The Ten Commandments
shared biblical spectacle, lavish period production design, religious drama, and tragic romance
Quo Vadis
shared sword-and-sandal adventure, romantic intrigue, heroic physicality, and widescreen spectacle
The Egyptian
shared ancient-world setting, conflicted romance, betrayal, and grand historical melodrama
Hercules
shared mythic heroism, elaborate costumes, and classical adventure spectacle
Movie Details
- Director
- Cecil B. DeMille
- Release Date
- 1949-12-21
- Runtime
- 134 min
- Rating
- 6.6 / 10 (260)
Cast
- Hedy Lamarr
- Victor Mature
- George Sanders
- Angela Lansbury
- Henry Wilcoxon
- Olive Deering
- Fay Holden
- Julia Faye
- Russ Tamblyn
- William Farnum
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Marquee TV Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Samson and Delilah about?
- A lavish biblical epic turns Samson’s superhuman strength and Delilah’s revenge into a sweeping tale of desire, betrayal, and faith.
- What is Samson and Delilah like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Samson and Delilah as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Samson and Delilah violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Samson and Delilah as moderate.
- What did critics think of Samson and Delilah?
- Critics broadly praised the film as an exceptionally entertaining and visually magnificent biblical spectacle, while later responses have found it somewhat overlong and uneven.
- Which films are like Samson and Delilah?
- Films with a similar feel include The Ten Commandments, Quo Vadis, The Egyptian, and Hercules.
- How long is Samson and Delilah?
- Samson and Delilah runs 134 minutes.
- Where can I watch Samson and Delilah?
- In United States, Samson and Delilah streams on Marquee TV Amazon Channel.
