- One Night with the King
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One Night with the King 
Movie poster for One Night with the KingDirected by Michael O. Sajbel Produced by Stephan Blinn
Richard J. Cook
Laurie Crouch
Matthew Crouch
Lawrence MortorffWritten by Stephan Blinn (screenplay)
Tommy Tenney & Mark Andrew Olsen (novel)Starring Tiffany Dupont
John Rhys-Davies
Luke GossMusic by J. A. C. Redford Cinematography Steven Bernstein Editing by Gabriella Cristiani
Michelle SummersStudio Gener8Xion Entertainment Distributed by Fox Faith Release date(s) October 13, 2006 Running time 123 minutes Language English Budget $20,000,000 (estimated) One Night with the King is a historical epic film that was released in 2006 in the United States. Based on the novel Hadassah: One Night with the King by Tommy Tenney and Mark Andrew Olsen, One Night with the King is a dramatization of the Old Testament Bible story of Esther, who risked her life by approaching the king to request that he save the Jewish people.
The movie was produced by Matt Crouch and Laurie Crouch of Gener8Xion Entertainment It was ninth on the list of highest-grossing motion pictures during the week it was released. This film received a 2007 CAMIE Award,[1] as did Luke Goss for his portrayal of King Xerxes. The film was chosen to be shown at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival.[verification needed]
Contents
One Night with the King – The Story of Esther
One Night with the King is a historical epic film that was released in 2006 in the United States. Based on the novel Hadassah: One Night with the King by Tommy Tenney and Mark Andrew Olsen, One Night with the King is a dramatization of the Old Testament Bible story of Esther, who risked her life by approaching the king to request that he save the Jewish people. The movie was directed by Michael O. Sajbel of Gener8Xion Entertainment It was ninth on the list of highest-grossing motion pictures during the week it was released. This film received a 2007 CAMIE Award,[1] as did Luke Goss for his portrayal of King Xerxes.
Synopsis
This biblical drama chronicles the legend of Hadassah (Tiffany Dupont), a beautiful Jewish orphan who rises to become Queen Esther of Persia and saves Persian Jews from genocide. By revealing her heritage to the king, Esther thwarts the evil prime minister's plan to annihilate all Jews in the Persian Empire, which becomes the inspiration for the annual festival of Purim.
Plot
The movie setting takes place in Susa. King Xerxes holds a great feast for all the people to attend. Hadassah (the main protagonist) longs to go to Jerusalem to see the Holy Land and prepares to leave with the caravan along with her suitor, Jesse Ben-Joseph. They stop by the King’s feast before marching to war to avenge his father’s death. Hadassah and Jesse witness the King summoning Queen Vashti. Queen Vashti was opposed to the war, desiring King Xerxes to enhance his kingdom instead. She holds her own feast in protest to the war. When the king summons her to his own feast, she refuses to come stating, “I am queen, and I will not lower my dignity… or shame my crown by wearing it before your drunk, and thinly veiled war council.” Because of this, King Xerxes is advised to banish her and select a more worthy queen. All beautiful virgin women in the stronghold of Susa are brought in so Xerxes could leave behind a queen to keep the kingdom unified. Under the command of her foster-father, “Uncle Mordecai” (who was one of the king’s scribes and worked in the palace), Hadassah does not reveal her nationality or family and changes her name to “Esther” (after of the Babylonian goddess Ishtar). She is taken in with the rest of the selected women and given cosmetics, perfumes, and treatments under the care of Hegai, the king’s royal eunuch. Through her quick wit, intelligence, and integrity, she becomes Hegai’s favorite contestant. On their night with the king, the contestants are allowed to bring whatever they wished with them from the harem. They went in the evening and returned in the morning to a second harem to another royal eunuch who was custodian to the concubines. They would not be able to return to the king unless she pleased him and he summoned her by name. During their preparation, Hegai discovers Esther could read and listens to her reading to the other contestants. He admires her bravery, and stamina. Late into the night, he brought her to King Xerxes to read to him. She startas reading from the assigned scroll and then began telling the love story of Jacob and Rachel (from the Old Testament). He is amused and intrigued and dismisses her, saying she would read to him again. From this interaction, Esther falls in love with the King. When it is Esther’s turn for her ‘one night with the king’, she only wears what Hegai advises. She wins the kings favor by revealing her heart to him. He chooses her and crowns her queen. Simultaneously, Haman is promoted to the highest-ranking official. He has all the king’s servants at the royal gate to kneel before him. Mordecai refuses, declaring he will only kneel before God and the king. He announces himself before Haman to be a son of Abraham, a Jew. Because of this, Haman, filled with vengeance and hatred, sought to destroy Mordecai and all his people. Esther discovers the plot and breaks protocol by going before the king unsummoned, risking her life to plead for her people. The king lowers his scepter to her and spares her life out of his love for her. She invites the king and Haman to a banquet and there reveals her nationality and the Haman’s plot to kill the Jews. The king, overwhelmed by her revelation, leaves the banquet. Haman then assaults Esther. The king saves her and, in his fury, commands Haman be hung on the gibbet he erected to hang Mordecai for revenge.
Modification
The film generally adheres to the main plot of the Biblical version. However, the film adds stylistic elements not present in the Biblical story. The biblical version of the relationship between Hadassah and Ahasuerus was not a love story, but a forced marriage in which Esther had no choice but was still very happy. The story presents many facets that could have happened rather than strictly sticking to biblical texts.
Cast
Tiffany Dupont as Hadassah/Esther, the main protagonist. Luke Goss as King Xerxes I of Persia, Esther's love interest and King of Susa John Rhys-Davies as Mordecai, Esther's cousin. Omar Sharif as Prince Memucan, one of the few truly loyal Princes of the Face. Tommy Lister, Jr. as Hegai, the Royal Eunuch, the harem's bodyguard. John Noble as Prince Admatha, a scheming Prince of the Face who plots to become king himself. James Callis as Haman, the Agagite, the film's main antagonist, Haman plans to use his position of power to kill the Jewish inhabitants of Persia. Peter O'Toole as Prophet Samuel Jyoti Dogra as Queen of Persia Vashti Tom Alter as King Saul of Israel Aditya Bal as Amalekite King Agag
The movie’s Premiere Night took place at Mann Bruins Theater in L.A. California. The movie was filmed entirely in the state of Rajasthan, India. One Night with the King was released in theaters on October 13, 2006. During its opening weekend, it earned $4,120,497 in theaters. By the end of its theatrical run, the film received $13,395,961 domestically, with $13,728,450 worldwide. One Night with the King received a generally negative reception from the mainstream press, garnering a 19% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 26 reviews, with a composite average of 4.3 out of 10. The majority of the critics stated that the scripting was what accosted the film.[6] The film was awarded four Doves by The Dove Foundation and received the Dove Family-Approved Seal.[7] The movie has been endorsed by the American Bible Society.[8]
References
• IMDB (Internet Movie Data Base) (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0430431/plotsummary) • The New American Bible • "One Night with the King". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved May 27, 2009. • "One Night With The King (2006)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 27, 2009. • "One Night with the King". The Dove Foundation. Retrieved May 27, 2009. • Mathews, Jack; Elizabeth Weitzman (October 13, 2006). "King-Size Story". New York Daily News. Retrieved May 27, 2009.
Cast
- Tiffany Dupont as Hadassah/Esther, the main protagonist.
- Luke Goss as King Xerxes I of Persia, Esther's love interest and insecure in his new position as king and therefore almost submits to the influence of the Princes of the Face.
- John Rhys-Davies as Mordecai, Esther's Uncle.
- Omar Sharif as Prince Memucan, one of the few truly loyal Princes of the Face.
- Tommy Lister, Jr. as Hegai, the Royal Eunuch, the harem's bodyguard.
- John Noble as Prince Admatha, a scheming Prince of the Face who plots to become king himself.
- James Callis as Haman, the Agagite, the film's main antagonist, Haman plans to use his position of power to kill the Jewish inhabitants of Persia.
- Peter O'Toole as Prophet Samuel
- Jyoti Dogra as Queen of Persia Vashti
- Tom Alter as King Saul of Israel
- Aditya Bal as Amalekite King Agag
Production
Premiere Night at Mann Bruins Theater in L.A. California
The movie was filmed entirely in the state of Rajasthan, India.[2]
Promotion
The Genius Club[3] from writer/director Tim Chey[4] was also released theatrically in 2006. The film's trailers showed before One Night With The King.[verification needed]
Reception
Box office
One Night with the King was released to theaters on October 13, 2006. During its opening weekend, it earned $4,120,497 in theaters. By the end of its theatrical run, the film received $13,395,961 domestically, with $13,728,450 worldwide.[5]
Reviews
One Night with the King received a generally negative reception from the mainstream press, garnering a 16% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 25 reviews, with a composite average of 4.3 out of 10.[6] The film was awarded four Doves by The Dove Foundation and received the Dove Family-Approved Seal.[7] The movie has been endorsed by the American Bible Society.[8]
See also
References
- ^ Character and Morality in Entertainment, verified 2007-08-20.
- ^ Treasure Valley Christian News, by Ken Malgren, Boise, Idaho
- ^ Thegeniusclubmovie.com
- ^ Timchey.com
- ^ "One Night with the King". Box Office Mojo. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=onenightwiththeking.htm. Retrieved May 27, 2009.
- ^ "One Night With The King (2006)". Rotten Tomatoes. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/one_night_with_the_king/. Retrieved May 27, 2009.
- ^ "One Night with the King". The Dove Foundation. http://dove.org/MovieReview.asp?Unique_ID=6066v. Retrieved May 27, 2009.
- ^ Mathews, Jack; Elizabeth Weitzman (October 13, 2006). "King-Size Story". New York Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/2006/10/13/2006-10-13_short_takes.html. Retrieved May 27, 2009.
External links
Categories:- English-language films
- Book of Esther
- 2006 films
- Films set in ancient Persia
- Religious epic films
- Independent films
- Films based on the Old Testament
- History of Purim
- Films set in the 5th century BC
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