The biblical story of Herbrew hero, Samson has always enthralled me. I like the various film versions it's inspired, with the 1949 Victor Mature/Hedy Lamarr adaptation being one of my favorite films--period.
I wanted to see the new, Pure Flix version in a theater, but the movie, directed by Gabriel Sabloff and Bruce Macdonald (who also co-produced), didn't visit my neighborhood. I had no choice but to wait patiently as the months rolled by, but in good faith and at long last, got to see the movie via home viewing. I'm happy to say, the wait paid off.
I don't suppose I need rehash all elements of the tale, unless one is a millennial, and if so, there's a decent chance that some snooty authority figure may have condemned it for you, and you'd be inclined to dismiss it solely on that basis. (Pardon my generalization.) Anyway, it's suffice to say that the story is full of angst, sorrow, destiny and (need I dare declare it?) faith. It's also a tale of bold, larger-than-life mythology: a veritable, superhero story. Samson is Herculean in all respects, designed to defend the oppressed; he's also devoted to the good Lord from whom he receives his incredible strength, both on physical and spiritual levels. Sometimes he questions God's cause, but in the end, strides forth to achieve his titanic purpose.
The screen writers, Jason Baumgardner; Galen Gilbert; Timothy Ratajczak; and Zach Smith, do a lovely job adapting the Book of Judges story to the screen. Sure, they take liberties here and there, like other adaptations have, but on the whole, they capture a respectable balance for the imposing task.
The cast is superb, with brawny Taylor James in the lead, and the alluring Caitlin Leahy as the deceitful Delilah. To the film's heroic credit, genre favorites are also featured: Lindsay "the Bionic Woman" Wagner as Zealphonis and Rutger "Blade Runner" Hauer as Manoah (Samson's parents); as well as Billy "the Phantom" Zane as the worrisome King Balek. (Those three alone should make the movie worth seeing.) Supplementing the cast is Jackson "Twilight" Rathbone as Balek's slippery son, Rallah; Greg "Maize Runner" Kriek as Samson's brave brother, Caleb; and Frances Sholto-Douglas as the sad and tragic Taren.
A good cast can lend credibility to any production, but it's especially beneficial when the story includes an epic fight against adversity. How faith (a belief in God and oneself) can overcome a woman's trickery is this story's gist. (Okay, here's a skimpy synopsis of its later half: Samson loses his strength when his hair is cut; he's then blinded by the Philistines, enslaved, tortured...humiliated.) Delilah's desire for redemption after her betrayal augments the story's depth and intensity. James and Leahy make it work, expressing empathy, ferocity, passion and compassion throughout their performances.
Cinematographers Trevor Michael Brown and Brian Shanley give the film a nice, warm glow. This "Samson" may not be the biggest in scope (it's a low-budgeted, independent feature, after all), but its ambiance still gives us the sprawling look we require. Will "God's Not Dead" Musser's strong score assists in this, helping one get lost in time, swept away by all aspects of the unfolding melodrama.
Mainstream critics have dismissed "Samson" as boring. I'm certain some formed their denouncements well in advance of seeing the film. Perhaps one needs an established respect for Samson to enjoy his story and its meaning. If one doesn't generally like this kind of fanciful narrative, then one won't like this film, anymore than one will like "Black Panther"; "Infinity War"; "Wonder Woman"; or "Justice League". You see, it's not always a matter of a film's budget, length or special effects that determine one's appreciation of it. Often it comes down to its message.
In "Samson'"s case, we're talking about how high one's spirit can rise, no matter how bleak one's circumstances. Trust me: If one has little more than a mustard seed of faith, "Samson" will fulfill.
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