King David
2012
Original language: Portuguese
- drama
- war & politics
The story
Our story begins in Bethlehem, an Israelite territory, in the year 1045 B.C. David is 10 years old and is preparing to herd his father Jesse’s flock of sheep. Being the youngest of seven brothers, David is tasked with being the household servant. He’s been relegated beneath his brothers because they all have the honor of being brave warriors for King Saul.
What it’s like
Sun-bleached desert hills, dusty stone villages and torchlit palace halls give this period drama a broad, painted epic look, with wide establishing shots of shepherds' pastures and sweeping views of armies massing on ridgelines. Costumes are rich in ochre, indigo and gold, and the camera moves with the grandeur of a big-budget spectacle while settling into close, emotional two-shots during domestic and court scenes. The score leans on bold orchestral swells and drums for battle and softer strings for quiet moments, so the sound often carries the feeling more than the dialogue does. The mood is earnest and sincere, with melodramatic peaks, intrigue and jealousy at court, and a young outsider's steady rise. Its people's arcs follow a humble shepherd's ambition, loyalty tested by a jealous king, and family loyalties strained by power. Violence is present and physical: battles with clashing weapons, bloodied fighters and executions, with some dark political cruelty, though it is not graphic in the gore sense. Sexual content is limited to implied romance. It suits a long weekend binge for viewers who enjoy sweeping historical melodrama, Bible-era storytelling, and the pull of a clear underdog story.
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