La reine de Saba

Entitled "The Queen of Sheba" on the DVD or video versions in the U.S., this is a well budgeted effort in the long-tradition of cinematic sword and sandal movies. Indeed, this genre of movie began in Italy almost a half century before. The Italian school of cinema put out some grand ancient-world epics before "going to seed" in the late 50's and 60's. So, "Sheba" is right on the cusp of this. Production values are quite good--costumes and sets. Most of the acting is tepid to poor, and the battle/fight scenes are slack; therefore, the script's hokeyness is not concealed. Still, "Sheba" is interesting viewing for a movie buff into sword and sandal flicks. A partial saving grace--it's not too long!