History Literature / SamsonAndDelilah

His life's story has been the subject of one Creator/CecilBDeMille theatrical film, 1949's ''Samson and Delilah'' starring Creator/VictorMature and Creator/HedyLamarr in the title roles, which was remade twice on TV, the first in 1984 (with Mature doing a cameo as Samson's father) and another in 1996 (which featured Creator/DennisHopper, Creator/MichaelGambon and Creator/ElizabethHurley); Delilah tends to get more screen time in the films than she does in the original story. There's also an {{opera}}tic version by French composer Camille Saint-Saëns, the source of the popular concert piece "Bacchanal".

** According to the Bible, most of Samson's exploits happened after he disregarded ''all'' those rules, all ''except'' cutting his hair. His long mane was indeed the key to his strength, even after [[RefusalOfTheCall he reneged on his promise to God]]. (The vows and the ban on haircutting are typical of the Nazirites, a type of consecrated BadAss, something like warrior monks.)

His life's story has been the subject of one CecilBDeMille theatrical film, 1949's ''Samson and Delilah'' starring VictorMature and Hedy Lamarr in the title roles, which was remade twice on TV, the first in 1984 (with Mature doing a cameo as Samson's father) and another in 1996 (which featured Dennis Hopper, Michael Gambon and Elizabeth Hurley); Delilah tends to get more screen time in the films than she does in the original story. There's also an {{opera}}tic version by French composer Camille Saint-Saëns, the source of the popular concert piece "Bacchanal."

* Foreshadowing: Twice in the 1949 film, Delilah says "If you crushed the life out of me, I'd kiss you with my dying breath." Guess how she dies.

His life's story has been the subject of one theatrical film, 1949's ''Samson and Delilah'' starring VictorMature and Hedy Lamarr in the title roles, which was remade twice on TV, the first in 1984 (with Mature doing a cameo as Samson's father) and another in 1996 (which featured Dennis Hopper, Michael Gambon and Elizabeth Hurley); Delilah tends to get more screen time in the films than she does in the original story. There's also an {{opera}}tic version by French composer Camille Saint-Saëns, the source of the popular concert piece "Bacchanal."

* BatmanGambit: As he didn't start out a paragon of virtue, one could see God blessing Samson with super strength as this. A Super strong skirt chaser could do some damage. However, God being omniscient, already knew it would pan out to His advantage.

** According to the Bible, most of Samson's exploits happened after he disregarded ''all'' those rules, all ''except'' cutting his hair. His long mane was indeed the key to his strength, even after [[RefusalOfTheCall he reneged on his promise to God]].

This story been used several times in fiction since then,inspiring paintings by Creator/RembrandtVanRijn and Creator/PeterPaulRubens, having Samson squared off against Superman in the {{Silver Age}}s and even having his own title (see ''ComicBook/MightySamson'') highlighting him as a likely inspiration for and UrExample of the modern superhero. Samson has a surprising amount in common with early Superman (superstrength, likes to screw with people, takes on corrupt government/aristocracy/business).

His life's story has been the subject of one theatrical film, 1949's ''Samson and Delilah'' starring Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr in the title roles, which was remade twice on TV, the first in 1984 (with Mature doing a cameo as Samson's father) and another in 1996 (which featured Dennis Hopper, Michael Gambon and Elizabeth Hurley); Delilah tends to get more screen time in the films than she does in the original story. There's also an {{opera}}tic version by French composer Camille Saint-Saëns, the source of the popular concert piece "Bacchanal."

* FemmeFataleSpy: Delilah's sex appeal led to Samson's downfall when she sold him out to the Philistines.

* MataHari: Delilah's sex appeal led to Samson's downfall when she sold him out to the Philistines.

This story been used several times in fiction since then,inspiring paintings by Creator/RembrandtVanRijn and Creator/PeterPaulRubens, having Samson squared off against Superman in the {{Silver Age}}s and even having his own title (see MightySamson) highlighting him as a likely inspiration for and UrExample of the modern superhero. Samson has a surprising amount in common with early Superman (superstrength, likes to screw with people, takes on corrupt government/aristocracy/business).

** According to the Bible, most of Samson's exploits happened after he disregarded ''all'' those rules, all ''except'' cutting his hair. His long mane was indeed the key to his strength, even after [[RefusalOfTheCall he reneged on his promise to God]].

His life's story has been the subject of one theatrical film, 1949's ''Samson and Delilah'' starring Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr in the title roles, which was remade twice on TV, the first in 1984 (with Mature doing a cameo as Samson's father) and another in 1996 (which featured Dennis Hopper, Michael Gambon and Elizabeth Hurley). There's also an {{opera}}tic version by French composer Camille Saint-Saëns, the source of the popular concert piece "Bacchanal."

Not to be confused with [[SamsonEnGert the talking dog from Flemish television]].

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Samson is noted for having SuperStrength, a blessing of being [[TouchedByVorlons chosen by God]] to be the one to [[MissionFromGod free Israel from the Philistines]]. He's also the most unlikely person for the job, being something of a [[TheTrickster trickster]] and a [[HandsomeLech skirt chaser]]. He also has a habit of choosing wives who tend to screw him over. In the end he sacrifices himself and takes everybody and everything with him. This is why Israel's self annihilation plan is called UsefulNotes/TheSamsonOption.

* CurbStompBattle: Samson versus [[TooDumbTooLive anybody who was stupid enough to try fighting Samson]], unless they knew his WeaksauceWeakness.

* EvenEvilHasStandards: Israel is in a period of moral decline, but the gang rape, murder, and dismemberment of a Levite woman outrages just about everyone.

His life's story has been the subject of one theatrical film, 1949's ''Samson and Delilah'' starring Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr in the title roles, which was remade twice on TV, the first in 1984 (with Mature doing a cameo as Samson's father) and another in 1996 (which featured Dennis Hopper, Michael Gambon and Elizabeth Hurley).

* BondOneLiner: "[[CrowningMomentOfAwesome I have made donkeys of them]]"

* PeterPaulRubens: Made a famous painting about the story, featured in this article's image.

* SuskeEnWiske: The story is used as the basis for the album "De kale kapper" ("The bald hairdresser") in which Jerom plays the part of Samson.

Samson is noted for having Superhuman Strength, a blessing of being [[TouchedByVorlons chosen by God]] to be the one to [[MissionFromGod free Israel from the Philistines]]. He's also the most unlikely person for the job, being something of a [[TheTrickster trickster]] and a [[HandsomeLech skirt chaser]]. He also has a habit of choosing wives who tend to screw him over. In the end he sacrifices himself and takes everybody and everything with him. This is why Israel's self annihilation plan is called UsefulNotes/TheSamsonOption.

* SuskeEnWiske: The story is used as the basis for the album "De kale kapper" ("The bold hairdresser") in which Jerom plays the part of Samson.

Not to be confused with [[Series/SamsonAndGert the talking dog from Flemish television]].