Introducing Tiffany Dupont is Queen Esther

Luke Goss is King Xerxes

Also Starring

Peter O’Toole, as Samuel, the Prophet

Omar Sharif, as Prince Memucan

Tommy Lister Jr., as Hagai

James Callis, as Hamen (aka Dr. Basheer)

John Rhys-Davies, as Mordecai (aka Gimley)

John Noble, as Prince Admantha (aka Borameer’s dad)

Jonah Lotan, as Jesse

Go see “One Night with the King”

This movie is epic and beautiful. Based on Tommy Tenney's best-selling book, “Hadassah,” and the author actually helped with a consistent vision for the film. (Although Stephan Blinn gets the screenplay credits.) It’s a full 2 hours and 3 minutes so drink your pop slowly. Rated PG, there’s nothing offensive.

Their was a time when a major actor might take part in a big budget film with a direct biblical theme, like the ten commandments with Charlton Heston, but those days had long disappeared. They were replaced by a number of nice-tries at evangelical-themed movies, and the occasional genius which is produced almost by accident from secular Hollywood. Then along came the Mel Gibson and the 20 million dollar, “Passion of the Christ.”

The bar has been set high and there is new hope among would-be Christian film makers that it can and should be done. Almost more to the point it could make money. Let’s face it—Hollywood wants a return on investment. If you want a good film be prepared to have it make someone money.

What sets this movie apart from the other, low-budget attempts?

Tons! This is a major budget film. Filmed partly on location in 3000 year old fort in India, this movie is as authentic as humanly possible. The director of photography, Stephen Bernstein, has been a part of over 90 movies, including “Like Water for Chocolate.”

There are some other neat trivia facts that helped make this movie unique and special. Rather than a “cattle call” to pick extras, Tommy Tenney asked 300 pastor’s wives from many denominations to come to India with a couple friends each. Tenney’s wife Jeannie wrote and performed a song for the film.

Larger Story

Yes its true there is no thinly-veiled, Christian overtones to this film—this is the real deal. This is a movie, which is in no small way, by, for, and about Christian themes. At the same time the story of Esther is Jewish more than “Christian.” It is about a threat to the Children of Israel and their eventual deliverance by God through the work of a few faithful.

This film is so epic and so well orchestrated that it speaks to many more issues than I can list here. I actually watched this film on opening day, but didn’t write this review until now because I was hoping to make time to see it again before writing it up.

My true, honest recommendation is that you go see this film in the theatre with friends and discuss it afterwards. When it comes out on video, buy it and watch it again. A few months after that see it again. I’m 100% sure that you will get more out of it each time.

Ok, I’ll give you this much of a teaser, if Esther beat out somewhere between 400 and 1400 other women to be picked by the King she had something besides a pretty face. True beauty, favor and grace, are all over the larger story.

Regarding Movies and Christianity:

The reality is that some Christians grew up in an old school tradition. They believe they know how the word of God can be presented, effectively and appropriately. They truth is that the word of God is a collection of stories. It was that, long before the Greeks made it about masterful oration. Can Hollywood mess up the story? Sure. Can they mess it up so badly that God can’t use it? I don’t think so. The best option is to support Christians who are doing their best to make these films.

Holly McClure has been involved in radio, TV, and film for nearly twenty years. In an interview with Steve Schulz of “the Elijah List,” Holly is quoted as saying, “This is the witnessing tool of the twenty-first century…movies are the pulpit of the world, whether it is a bad message, a good message, an unholy message, or a holy message…this is what people are learning by and gleaning from. Even though a movie may not be overtly Christian, the message or the word (is there), the Holy Spirit will use that to transform hearts and minds and lives…”

God was able to reach Paul on the road, no tent, no preacher, not even an alter call. The point of “One Night with the King” is that one moment of favor can overcome a lifetime of what you think your life is about. God can and will reach people through this movie.

The production value was superb, and the costumes and sets were an incredible feast to the eyes. The computer graphics added were not over the top and did not distract in any way from the movie; they were appropriately subdued. For a change, not one character, in my opinion, turned in a bad acting performance, and there were several big names signed onto this movie: Tiny Lister, John Rhys-Davies, and Peter O'Toole. Grading the movie on these aspects, I would have to give it a solid “A-”.

In terms of how well the plot followed the biblical story of Queen Esther, I would have to have to give it a “C-“. As a Christian, I knew the story of Queen Esther with its overwhelming theme of, “God rises everyone up for one moment in their lives – be prepared to accept your challenge when God calls you.” I found myself watching the screen during scenes and thinking, “this isn't in the Bible”.

For instance, there is a scene in which a trusted old general is ambushed in a plot and then “conveniently saved” by Haman, the book's villain. Then there's an early scene in the movie when all the young virgins are taken at night and by force to the palace; the Bible doesn't make mention it was done by force or that any young virgin objected. There's also the necklace Esther wears and presents as a gift to the King, and a lot is consistently made of it throughout the movie. The very first scene that made me question the accuracy the film was after the virgins had been taken to the palace; the young men of the village were taken and made into eunuchs. Of course there is plotting between Prince Memucan and Haman that isn't part of the story line, either, along with internal political palace conflits.

There is a possibility any of these things could have taken place, however, they're not in the record. I guess I'm a purist when it comes to Christian films because there's always the chance someone who's buying a ticket may find their lives being impacted as the Holy Spirit works on them. There's always a desire for churches to entertain and sex up the Word of God, but it's sexy on its own if you just read it. There's murder, sex, greed, rape, human sacrifices, slavery, extortion, war, heroism, and love inside its pages and reads like any modern day blockbuster book. Why would you want to alter that?

When Queen Vashti was portrayed as an anti-war person in what should be chapter one of the book, I knew I better be on my guard. I don't like seeing modern day politics injected into biblical plotlines. In all the commentaries I've seen and read, Vashti refused to go to the King because he wanted her to appear naked in front of a drunken court, wearing only her crown, to display her radiant beauty. She refused as an honorable woman would have, and was permanently removed from the King for being disobedient.

If you go hoping for accuracy to be important, throw that hope out the window. There is little that bears resemblance to the Book of Esther, but it remains a solidly entertaining film with convincing acting roles turned in by all players. This should become a mainstream success even for non-Christians who just fancy a good old-fashioned love story from pauper to royalty. It is also a family friendly movie with mild hints of seductive love and almost no violence. Take your little princess and watch her dream.

My advice? Buy a cheaper afternoon ticket and save your money for one of the other big movies at the more expensive evening rates.

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