this film have all the size and grandeur of many of the great biblical epic of the 1950 and 60 . but it be also perhaps the first that really humanize the biblical character themselves . the best thing about it be that it do not diminish them in the eye of the viewer . this be a unique and compelling balance that help u to realize that even great people like david be flaw people who find their faith and greatness in face their flaw . the actor be all first rate in the film from gilbert barnett a david second son absolom through to the wonderful susan hayward a bathsheba . hayward be at her best in this film . her own truthful but large than life style of act be quite at home here . she be ever the seductress and but she play the role in such a way that you sympathize with her . raymond massey do a great job a nathan the prophet . a a child when i first saw the film and massey seem like he truly have just converse with the lord himself and be an awesome sight . no doubt help also by the great music compose by the always amazing alfred newman who also have great success in other biblical epic like the robe and the great story ever tell along with perhaps 100 other film too . the cinema photography by leon shamroy be well do and add to the size but also the intimacy of the film . henry king and a truly underrated film director who like william wyler never really pigeon hole himself into any one genre and pull together a large than life production that never lose sight of the love story between david and bathsheba and david own deep struggle with his faith in god . the path tread in this film could have be very hokey and but king keep it real and interest all the way . plus we never lose the sense of mystery about try to understand the will of god and just a david himself be struggle with the same . from the first scene where a soldier dy try to save the ark from destruction . david be not satisfy with nathan answer and ( to paraphrase ) that no one can understand the will of god . this be the journey we embark on right through to the powerful end where david be finally confront with himself . finally this film belong to gregory peck who wonderful a king david . his david be a man you can believe could rule a country ruthlessly but be at one time a faithful singer of psalm . this be one of his best performance . i do not see this movie on television much anymore and but when i do i never fail to watch it . i think it still hold up very well today .