Unless I'm mistaken "Salomon and Sheba" takes considerable liberties with the tale contained in the Old Testament - but who am I ? Not a Biblical scholar, that's for sure. Anyway, "Salomon and Sheba" strips away much of the pomp and circumstance associated with the episode. The result is a pleasantly human story about two individuals from different cultures meeting and falling in love, under adverse circumstances. Lead actors Halle Berry and Jimmy Smits make for a charming and charismatic couple of lovers. The costumes look authentic, evoking a time period very different from our own.
So "Salomon and Sheba" dispenses with much of the "riches beyond imagining" bling. However, the movie may be overdoing the pruning. For instance, it contains various scenes in which persons - monarchs, even - travel through the desert while accompanied by a tiny retinue. In real life, most rulers would have been clever enough to surround themselves with sufficient bodyguards, scouts, guides and interpreters. The desert is a treacherous environment, especially for people travelling through violent or unfamiliar territories.
Not particularly deep but pleasantly watchable. Better than average for the genre.
So "Salomon and Sheba" dispenses with much of the "riches beyond imagining" bling. However, the movie may be overdoing the pruning. For instance, it contains various scenes in which persons - monarchs, even - travel through the desert while accompanied by a tiny retinue. In real life, most rulers would have been clever enough to surround themselves with sufficient bodyguards, scouts, guides and interpreters. The desert is a treacherous environment, especially for people travelling through violent or unfamiliar territories.
Not particularly deep but pleasantly watchable. Better than average for the genre.