When strongman Samson rejects the love of the beautiful Philistine woman Delilah, she seeks vengeance that brings horrible consequences they both regret.
Archetypal DeMille biblical spectacle as usual simplifies its source's tale to a child-friendly level, but offers colorful entertainment and some memorable scenes, and there's a subliminal undertone in the love-hate relationship between Samson and Delilah, which is irritating and fascinating; Hedy Lamarr makes it work.
Halliwell (no star): "Absurd biblical hokum, stodgily narrated and directed, monotonously photographed and edited, and notable only for the 30-second destruction of the temple at the end."
Maltin***: "With expected DeMille touches, this remains a tremendously entertaining film. Mature is surprisingly good as Samson, though his famous fight with lion is hopelessly phony; also difficult to swallow idea of Angela Lansbury being Lamarr's older sister. Sanders supplies the biggest surprise by underplaying his role as the Saran."
