Solomon and Sheba (1959)

United Artists
Directed by King Vidor
My rating: 2 stars out of 4
IMDb
(DVD, MGM/Fox)

Yul Brynner as Solomon ascends to the throne of Israel against the wishes of his older brother Adonijah, played by George Sanders. Solomon is the poet, who rules the country wisely and fairly. Adonijah is the military bully who flees to Egypt and plans to take the throne back by violence if necessary. Enter Gina Lollobrigida as Queen Sheba, allied with Egypt, who leads Solomon away from his God by lust. The elaborately staged and choreographed pagan orgy in which she finally seduces Solomon is a highlight. The final epic battle features thousands of miniature Egyptians and horses falling into a gorge, horrifying yet hilarious.