One night with the King

… has to be one of the most bizarre movies I’ve ever seen. It’s just such a hodge-podge of culturally loaded concepts. For example:

– the King of Persia (Ahasueras/Xerxes) has smooth brown hair and blue eyes.

– Esther’s childhood keepsake necklace that has significance throughout the whole plot is a “magic” crystal which, when the light hits it just right, projects Stars of David around the room.

– Hamman’s vendetta against the Jews (for massacre-ing his ancestors the Agagites) is represented in his keepsake talisman which incorporates the shape of a swastika.

– The term Israel is not mentioned except in the very last scene when Esther tells of Jacob’s name being changed.

– Esther romances the King using Bible stories, specifically Jacob, Leah, and Rachel.

– Vashti’s crime, in addition to the Biblically accurate bad-example-as-rebellious-wife, is being a pacifist, opposed to her husband’s plan to attack Greece…

– … which is a threat to the greatness of Persia because of its dangerous doctrine of Democracy! I have to say I cringed every time Hamman opened his mouth because he was such a scary/cheesy fascist hater of “Democracy/the Jews and their God.” It started to feel like God and Democracy were TOO lumped together … the weirdest moment was when Hamman refers to the Jewish prophecy about Jesus, who would be the King of Kings and “set all men free.” Earlier he had quoted the Declaration of Independence’s sentiment that “all men are created equal.” But he’s quoting it to a rabble mob in attempts to turn them against their neighbors the Jews. Huh? There’s one other small Christian reference that caught my attention – Esther and the King are discussing Love and she says, “Love is the greatest commandment… no matter what god you worship.” How sweet, and vague…

As a movie, it was certainly pretty to look at, with very nice sets and costumes. The scenes didn’t flow together very smoothly, and for that reason the plot was confusing at times, and the ending seemed abrupt. One good result of watching the movie was it made us want to rush home and read the Book of Esther to get clear what’s in the original story. That’s the one I recommend…