KING DAVID (1985) *** It looks a lot funner being a revolutionary in the desert than being king. One of the great historical stories of the human epoch, obviously, and Richard Gere rises to the occasion with his greatest performance. Still, he is partially eclipsed by Edward Woodward, lusty and gold braceleted and fierce and flawed and human and tenacious as Saul, perhaps an earlier incarnation of Robert Plant. Neither actor is perfect credits-to-credits but both raise their games to incredible heights for their greatest scenes, which come back-to-back: the death of Saul and David's triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Lots of handsome men with long hair and low-slung beards and sensuous Old Testament babes, no question it's a good looking movie, but some of the supporting cast fail in timing lightning into moments that deserve it. Bruce Beresford creates an ancient Israel that may or may not be historically perfect, but evokes the feeling of that faraway place and special time in ways that connect with a modern audience. Unfortunately he also cuts virtually every scene at the immediate conclusion of that scene's best line. Barely misses being cinema for the ages, an incredibly ambitious and worthy take on a story whose relevance will outlast even reverb. King David's dying words to his son cannot be improved upon.