David and Goliath (1960)

Directed by Ferdinando Baldi and Richard Pottier, David and Goliath (David e Golia) is a 1960 Italian historical epic dramatizing the Old Testament tale of the shepherd David’s rise to power and his legendary battle against the Philistine giant Goliath. The film stars Orson Welles as King Saul and Ivica Pajer as David, blending religious reverence with sword-and-sandal grandeur.

Plot Summary
The film opens with Prophet Samuel foretelling the fall of King Saul and the rise of a new leader. Saul, increasingly paranoid and politically embattled, resists the prophecy while the Philistines prepare for war. Meanwhile, young David, a humble shepherd, is chosen by God to lead Israel.

As tensions escalate, David volunteers to fight Goliath, the Philistine champion. Armed only with a sling and divine faith, David defeats the giant, securing victory for Israel and setting the stage for his eventual kingship. The film also explores David’s early relationship with Saul, marked by admiration, jealousy, and divine destiny.

Cast Highlights

• Orson Welles as King Saul
• Ivica Pajer as David
• Eleonora Rossi Drago as Merab
• Giulia Rubini, Pierre Cressoy, Massimo Serato, and Aldo Pedinotti in supporting roles

Production Notes

• Filmed in Israel and Yugoslavia, the movie features authentic landscapes and large-scale battle scenes.
• Welles’s performance as Saul adds psychological depth, portraying the king as both regal and tormented.
• The screenplay was written by Umberto Scarpelli, Gino Mangini, Ambrogio Molteni, and Emimmo Salvi, who also produced the film.
• Music by Carlo Innocenzi enhances the film’s solemn and heroic tone.
• The film runs 113 minutes and was distributed internationally by Allied Artists.