Watch The Kingdom of Solomon

The Kingdom of Solomon is a historical epic drama film directed by Shahriar Bahrani, released in 2010. The movie is an Iranian production that portrays the life and times of King Solomon, a biblical figure revered in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Set in the 10th century BC in Jerusalem, the film opens with the construction of the temple of Solomon, which is a symbol of power, wealth, and divine favor. The king has an extensive harem, including Queen Sheba, whom he has offered to marry, consolidating his rule over the Yemeni region. However, the Queen has another motive for the alliance, and that is to carry on her father's work and restore the respect of the Sabaean people.

The film portrays Solomon's wisdom and knowledge well, with scenes of him stopping animal fights by giving verdicts that make the animals stop quarreling. The knowledge is evidenced when he argues with other scholars and never loses due to his vast knowledge of different subjects. Solomon's great strengths lie in his faith and his ingenious solutions to problems that his kingdom faces daily.

The dramatic scenes include a gruesome scene in which Solomon cuts a crying baby in half to solve a case of two mothers who claim to be its mother. Solomon proposes that the child be split into two, each mother taking half to solve the case. The actual mother then offers to let the other woman have the baby instead, indicating that she was not the real mother. The king then presents the baby to the real mother, revealing that his actions were a test of love for the child.

The movie is peppered with war scenes, where the king of Sheba raids and tries to topple Solomon. The fierce battles are tense and high-stakes, with the imposing rock-like army of Solomon needing divine intervention to be overcome. Supernatural beings and mythical creatures play a crucial role in the movie. These fantastic creatures include the jinn, a genie spirit, and the famed Mount Qaf, which is said to be beyond the limits of the world.

The film's casting is excellent, with Mehdi Fakhimzadeh playing King Solomon with grace and poise. His enunciation and authoritative voice make him the perfect choice for the film's titular role. Mahmood Pakniat as Queen Sheba is versatile, as she is ruthless and makes tough decisions while earning her spot in the king's harem.

Further, the movie's visuals are grand and set pieces grandeur, and the production design is impressive. Jerusalem's sprawling town is shown, with its grand temple that is the chief marvel of the city, and the costume design is regal and splendid. The high budget production of the film is evident in every aspect of its design, from visual effects to sound design, which is amplified by a grand musical score.

The movie's themes range from the love story between Solomon and Queen Sheba, which portrays arranged marriages, to the greed and corruption rampant in a polity. The film shows that a leader must be just, demonstrate wisdom and knowledge in decision making and also uphold his word, even when it becomes difficult.

All in all, The Kingdom of Solomon is an epic historical movie based on the Bible's tales of the warrior King's life. It weaves together the mystical and mythical tales of this biblical hero, his wisdom, and his battles, to tell an engaging story that is visually stunning and emotionally impactful.