David, rated PG
***
David is an animated musical drama film that covers the latter half of the biblical book of 1 Samuel. The film is very well made, with excellent animation and catchy songs, and will be enjoyable for children and adults, though some of the film may be too dark and scary for very young children.
The film from Angel Studios (Sound of Freedom), was directed by Phil Cunningham and Brent Dawes, and written by Dawes, Kyle Portbury and Sam Wilson.
The film begins with the young David, voiced by Brandon Engman, happily tending to his sheep. We then see Samuel, voiced by Brian Stivale, come to anoint David as Israel’s next king, as God has rejected Saul (1 Samuel 15), voiced by Adam Michael Gold. The film covers the familiar story of David confronting the giant Philistine Goliath, voiced by Kamran Nikhad, Saul pursuing David, through to the battle with the Amalekites from 1 Samuel 30.
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The adult David is voiced by popular worship singer/songwriter Phil Wickham. The film includes several songs from Wickham and others. Saul’s son Jonathan is voiced by Mark Jacobson, David’s mother Nitzevet is voiced by Miri Mesika and singer Lauren Daigle voices Rebecca.
The film does deviate from the Bible at times. For example, early on, David saves a lion, rather than killing it after it threatens his sheep. Goliath’s head is not cut off as the biblical story portrays. Two other stories are noticeably changed from the biblical account. The first is from 1 Samuel 27 and 29 where David takes refuge with the Philistines and earns their king’s trust and a home in the Philistinian town of Ziklag. The second changed story comes from 1 Samuel 30, when David and his men attack the Amalekites for capturing their families. In addition, there are no mentions of David’s wives.
The film does include some violence, but it is much toned down from the biblical account. It also includes some humor.
We found the film very enjoyable with Disney quality animation and some catchy music.
