Solomon

The story begins with an aging King David and the rivalry between his sons, Adonijah and Solomon, as they compete to inherit the throne of Israel. After succeeding his father, Solomon establishes a prosperous and powerful nation characterized by his divine wisdom and the construction of the Temple of Jerusalem to house the Ark of the Covenant. His reign is marked by great wealth and various relationships, including his encounter with Abishag and a romantic and political union with the Queen of Sheba. However, his later years are clouded by personal unhappiness and a neglect of spiritual commandments, leading to a prophecy that the kingdom will be divided after his death.

Directed by Roger Young, this television movie followed his 1995 productions Joseph and Moses. The film stars Ben Cross as Solomon, with Max von Sydow portraying King David. The ensemble cast also includes Vivica A. Fox, Anouk Aimée, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, and Stefania Rocca. Produced by a consortium of companies including RAI and ARD, the production had a budget of 20 million USD. It has received a positive reception from viewers on TMDB, where it holds a rating of 6.8/10 based on 39 votes.