Though the overall problems may not be of his making, Richard Gere is of little help in the title role. Granted, he could have been truly awful (which he isn't), but he doesn't seem comfortable, either.

It seems a fundamental error to approach such a gory fantasia as though it were sober, four-square history.

Directed by Bruce Beresford in the worried manner of someone who feels it a triumph just to have gotten all the kings, prophets, soldiers, frond-waving townspeople, horses and donkeys on and off the screen on time.

…a wacky mix of Old Testament text and modern political sentiment…King David's pseudo-religious dialogue is completely honkers-bonkers throughout and there’s a strange, unnecessary emphasis on sex.