Review of One Night with the King

Having seen One Night, tonight, I can say that while it has many things going for it:gorgeous cinematography, lavish set and costume design and a troop of excellent actors where it falls flat is in the story department. The screenplay needed work before it was filmed as the relationship between Esther and Xerxes was incredibly jerky at times and the narration distracting at times. It also took some liberties not only with the Book of Esther itself but also with the historical record on Xerxes I reasons for war with the Greek city states. Acting throughout the film was in general very good with the standouts being John Rhys-Davies and Tommy "Tiny" Lister, though they woefully underused Peter O'Toole. The religious aspects which were injected into story(originally there being no mention of God at all in the Book of Esther)are in general handled evenhandedly with dignity and restraint highlighting the fact that this is story of courage, dignity and faith. All in all a step in the right direction for Christian films. **1/2 out of ****